Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2013: Launch Review

Mercedes-Benz SL350 & SL500 review

Local Launch
Melbourne, Victoria

Not so much
>> Vague steering
>> Still feels heavy
>> Looks like an SLK

OVERVIEW
>> 60 years of history
In 1952 Mercedes-Benz took the wraps off its Mercedes-Benz 300SL racecar, a car that went on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and two years later was became a production car which would go on to become one of the world's oldest nameplates.

Now the sixth generation SL from Mercedes has launched in Australia and represents a shift in the direction the original car's 'SL' or "Sport Leicht" (Sport Light) origins by becoming the first mass produced Benz to be constructed from aluminium. It now weighs between 125 and 140kg less than its precursor.

By making use of an all aluminium body, the new R231 SL-Class is stiffer and lighter, and the SL's status as Mercedes-Benz elite roadster naturally means it's packed with new technology and more luxury than you can poke 60 years of heritage at.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT

That said, the new Mercedes-Benz SL350's $225k price is now almost $18,000 lower than previously, and at $304,500 the V8-powered SL500 is more than $30,000 cheaper than its predecessor.

The SL-Class is a two-seater convertible roadster and comes standard with lots of premium kit including form-fitting and very comfortable luxury leather sports seats equipped with heating/cooling vents, there's also keyless entry and ignition, autonomous radar cruise control, active blind spot assist and active lane keeping assist, which can steer the car automatically back into its lane.

Mercedes' new SL also features hands-free boot access by using a sensor underneath the rear of the car. Just swipe your foot and it opens fully by itself. Another swipe and it closes. In practice it works well.

Both models also come with new 'magic vision control' wiper system that saves up to 50 per cent water. Why include this? Well, it means the water reservoir can be halved in size, which saves 1.7kg -- just another weight saving feature of the SL.

The new SL-Class roadster also features a digital TV tuner as standard and there's plenty of gizmos to keep you warm when the top is dropped: electrically retractable draught-stopper, airscarf neck-level heating system, thermotronic luxury climate control and the aforementioned heated seats. Individually and in combination these features keep the cabin cocooned in a warm bubble of air with the top open, as we discovered on a very cold and windy launch drive in Melbourne. The 'airscarf' neck warming system was especially handy.

If you really want to impress your passenger, opt for the $4000 Active Multicontour Seat Package, which adds a seven-zone massage function, dual-stage dynamic support, improved lumbar support, and inflatable cushioning to mould the seat to any body shape.

Meanwhile a reversing camera, 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive suspension with two modes (comfort/sport), sat nav COMAND system, and a premium 600-watt, 14-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound audio is standard. The HK stereo gets an all-new FrontBass system (essentially a pair of subwoofers hidden in the front footwells) and suffice it to say the audio is outstanding but it does feel odd having mega-bass firing at you from the front.

Upgrade to the SL500 model and Burr Walnut wood trim is added to the interior, a wood and leather steering wheel, larger 19-inch alloy wheels and lavish Nappa leather upholstery are also built-in. However, most of the additional $75k it costs to get the SL500 pays for the new 4.7-litre twin turbo V8 engine, but it's more than justified when the force-fed German engine belts out more torque than the previous AMG-tuned SL roadster.

MECHANICAL

All models are equipped with seven-speed automatic gearboxes with steering wheel paddle shifter, and the 3.5-litre V6 for the SL350 carries over from the previous generation R230, outputting 225kW/370Nm.

This direct-injected V6 engine is beautifully refined and with the top down has a crisp exhaust note that gets better the more you rev it. Despite weighing 1685kg, the SL350 feels quick. The engine is tractable and has a good midrange hit and its claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.9 seconds isn't a stretch.

At full throttle the car's acceleration even gives you a little squeeze into your supple leather recliner.

It's the SL500 that really gets the blood pumping thanks to Benz' burly 4.7-litre twin turbo V8 powerplant. The V6 is rapid, but the V8 is fierce, punching out 320kW/700Nm. Though Benz uses this V8 engine in an increasing number of its new models, the SL500 is the only vehicle to get a unique tune with 320kW – 20 up on the rest.

With lower kerb masses and improved engine efficiencies, not to mention the standard fitment of engine stop-start systems, fuel economy is rated at 8.3L/100km and 9.4L/100km for the SL350 and SL500 respectively.

Outright power is more likely to attract SL buyers than fuel economy and this is where the SL500 excels. Mercedes says the V8 roadster will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds. It gets mobile with a level of effortless ferocity that to call satisfying would be an understatement. The rigidity of the chassis also improves the connection between your right foot and the rear wheels, while excellent throttle response and barely any turbo lag are good traits too; it's astonishingly fast.

The engine sound is also very pleasing (a resonant burble with a touch of induction roar), yet for all its bravado this engine is still one of the most refined V8s available. It's a velvet sledgehammer.

For more on the mechanical changes wrought on the new generation SL, check out our international launch coverage.

PACKAGING

The SL's folding roof is a mix of glass and magnesium and around 6kg lighter than the last generation. The roof is electrically operated (on approach or departure it can be operated via the key fob) and time up and down is around 20sec.

Unlike the outgoing R230, the new SL can be had with a choice of three roof styles – painted, conventional panoramic glass or with Magic Sky Control glazing. This system allows you to switch the glazing from light to dark and back again at the push of a button.

For the most part the interior is hard to fault, with stitched leather everywhere, impressive attention to detail and intuitive controls.

A local Mercedes-Benz executive hit the nail on the head when saying the interior has been "lifted to the S-Class realm". It's also got a good sized boot, 504 litres with the roof closed, falling to 320 litres when its open, which is still enough room for two small suitcases and a picnic set.

One minor gripe I had was with the new gearshifter, which looks great but feels light and plasticky when shifting from neutral into drive or reverse -- as though the mechanism connecting it to the gearbox is flimsy and fragile.

It could also be argued the exterior design has taken a step sideways instead of forward and looks too much like the smaller SLK. But we'll leave it to you to comment on whether you like the new look or not. Visual appeal is always down to personal taste.

SAFETY

All models come standard with the Driver Assistance package Plus which incorporates autonomous intelligent cruise control and works at speeds of up to 200km/h. The system's radar sensors are also used by the Pre-safe collision detection system that can automatically brake the car if it detects an imminent collision. There's also blind spot detection system and the car can park itself thanks to a new electric power steering rig.

COMPETITORS

It's also almost in a class of its own -- though there are several two-door convertibles that reside in a similar niche, only a few are direct rivals. Vehicles like the Porsche 911, BMW 6 Series, Jaguar XK, and Maserati Grandcabrio all are two-door drop tops but they all have four seats.

SL dominates the marketplace for this type of personalised car – and commands amazing levels of loyalty from its customer group.

ON THE ROAD

Like the engines, the seven-speed automatic gearbox is a smooth operator.

When cruising on the open road the cars are quiet and refined, even with the top down. Overtaking is effortless in the V8, merely 'good' in the V6.

When the rain started one of the car's few shortcomings came to light -- you have to be stopped to activate the metal-folding roof (see above)... Some convertibles cars can do it while moving at up to 50km/h but Benz will not allow the SL's roof to be used on the move. The company's experts say this is for safety reasons – they’re concerned about the roof injuring occupants should a collision occur while it’s in operation.

Ride quality on local roads was very good in the SL350 which rode on 18-inch alloy wheels, while more of the road could be felt underneath SL500's larger 19-inch alloys. Both models' ride quality can be described as supple but with adaptive damping standard across the range you can switch to sport mode at the touch of a button, which firms things up nicely.

The body of the car is also very stiff (there was no flex or scuttle shake) and while the light steering is good in town, it leaves a little to be desired on twisty, hilly roads in the country.

Despite still feeling like big heavy cars, both SL models have excellent grip and good roadholding and can carve through corners easily at middling speeds. It's when you turn up the tempo that things aren't quite as rosy, however.

Chiefly, the steering doesn't inspire confidence. It has average feel and not a lot of feedback. For example, it wasn't possible to just turn the wheel and easily find a line through a 100km/h bend – one has to make several corrections when tipping into corners. It's a shame the car has vague steering because the chassis is well sorted and the power is addictive – especially in the V8.

Ultimately this is unlikely to hamper the SL's appeal, as it does almost everything else impeccably and is arguably one of the most sophisticated and pleasurable roadsters to occupy.

It's the kind of car that makes you feel special when you drive it. With 60 years of history behind the German roadster, it's safe to say that Mercedes-Benz has gifted the new SL-Class the respect it deserves.

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