Launched: Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Wheels Magazine
August, 2008

Mercedes-Benz SL63AMG
Warp speed wind-in-the-hair sensation just got better

By way of introducing the upgraded Mercedes SL-Class, I could spin you tales of corners carved, speeds exceeded, gees forced, tyres smoked, exhausts bellowed and other such stimulations. Let's just say the preview drive day went quickly, and your imagination can fill in the blanks.

The core reality is that a raft of changes reinforce the SL's status as the gold standard among grand touring roadster-coupes. Whichever way you look at it, and drive it, the latest SL is an engineering and dynamic tour de force.

Five levels of SL excitement are up for grabs, beginning with the SL350 priced from $223,000. This 3.5-litre V6 produces appropriately gutsy outputs of 232kW and 360Nm, delivered via a rippingly sporty seven-speed autobox. You need merely brush the selector stick from side to side for manual shifts, or finger the standard paddles behind the wheel. Either way, the changes are blindingly quick.

That transmission is also found in the $306,000 SL500. Its 5.5-litre V8 lump produces the same 285kW and 530Nm as its forebear, while managing to whittle the SL350's claimed 0-100km/h time from an impressive 6.2 seconds down to a scorching 5.4sec.

From there the SL's performance and pricing escalate at similarly vigorous rates. New to the range, the from-$382,000 SL63 AMG is a street-smart Jekyll and Hyde package for well-heeled drivers who take their fun seriously. Effectively replacing the previous SL55 AMG (which had a supercharged 5.4-litre V8), this 6208cc prince among naturally aspirated V8s makes 386kW and 630Nm, laced with pure adrenalin.

To complement its stonking engine, the SL63 AMG introduces a very special seven-speed autobox. Mid-fours are within the 63 AMG's 0-100km/h grasp.

Stretching to $385,000 (or optionally more) brings the aristocrat-with-attitude SL600 into play. With 380kW to its name, the unchanged 5.5-litre twin-turbo V12 cites just a little less power than the 63 AMG, but has a hulking 830Nm on call. Never even slightly handicapped by its conventional five-speed automatic, the grandly athletic SL600 rips through 0-100km/h in mid-fours, too.

The SL range is appropriately capped, at $468,000 plus selected options, by the wonderfully excessive SL65 AMG. Therein the magnificent twin-turbo V12 is again empowered with a whopping 450kW and nicely rounded 1000Nm. Like the 600, the 65 AMG has a five-speed 'box. And like the 63 AMG, big bro' runs 19-inch wheels where the others have 18s.

There are, of course, distinct graduations in the equipment levels and features of the different SL models. But take it as read that even the SL350 is loaded with goodies, and the SL65 AMG elevates sports-luxury to an art form. All of which is fine and dandy, and ultimately the more notable because all of the luxuries don't comprise the cars' astutely athletic driving dynamics.

Without exception, the SLs go, steer, stop and handle as responsively as real sports or GT roadster ought to, and, considering their purposeful tyre and suspension packages, they also ride almost unexpectedly well on good to average roads.

None are remotely tardy in performance; especially the monumentally well-endowed SL65, which will put 0-100km/h away in just over four seconds and storm to an electronically limited 250km/h. But one and all, the new SLs are cars of which (rich) dreams are made.

Mercedes-Benz SLK350
Hundreds of tweaks enhance appeal

The first generation SLK was a nice enough car, if a bit of a softie (more about pose than poke). Pleasingly, the second gen SLK was a seriously good bit of kit; which now, with 650 further tweaks, takes capability and desirability to the next level.

With the former 280-model's omission, the new SLK range comprises the supercharged four-cylinder 1.8-litre 200K, the 3.5-litre V6-engined 350, and 5.4-litre V8 55 AMG. Prices start from $86,780, $112,380 and $164,900 respectively.

Although the sporty V8 drivetrain continues essentially unchanged, both other engines are demonstrably gutsier (and thriftier than before).

The 200K and 350 again have six-speed manual transmissions as standard, with the $3120 option of a five-speed auto for the smaller edition, and a $3520 paddle-shift seven-speed unit (similar to the AMG’s version) for the V6.

Among the mechanical upgrades, unreserved praise goes to the Direct Steer system which quickens the SLK's turning response while not unduly affecting sensitivity at straight ahead. It steers like a beauty.

Besides the SLK's enhanced appearance and presentation, the equipment (and options) levels are more impressive than ever.

But the driving qualities are the clincher. Although the 200K doesn't get sports suspension, it holds its own on average to poor (NSW) roads.

While the V8 engine makes the 55 AMG noticeably nose-heavy, the authoritative chassis dynamics make it the first choice for quick fangs. Then again, the better-balanced 350 is a talented all-rounder and may be the SLK that ticks most boxes.

More to the point perhaps, while the three new SLKs have discernibly different powertrains and character, their underlying sporting spirit shows how far they have come and how well they've developed.

More research
Mercedes-Benz SL 350 & SL 63 AMG -- Carsales Network launch review: here
Mercedes-Benz SLK 200K, SLK 350 & SLK 55 AMG -- Carsales Network launch review: here
Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG Roadster -- Carsales Network launch review here

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