Fifth generation SL sums up all that is Mercedes-Benz

Fifth generation SL sums up all that is Mercedes-Benz

Wheels

2009 Mercedes Benz 550/600
By: Jim Robinson

HOLLYWOOD, Ca.: The home of the stars is also, it seems, the home of the three-pointed star of the Mercedes-Benz SL.

Nowhere on earth is there a higher concentration of the SLs than in Tinseltown. So it was a fitting place for Mercedes-Benz to unveil the refreshened 2009 version of the fifth generation SL.

Mercedes has always designated its models by letters to the point there are now some 15 models starting with the A-Class and ascending to the super luxury S-Class. And that does not include several more AMG performance versions of these cars and trucks.

But since the beginning, and I mean as far back at the 1920s, Mercedes has always has a SK or SL roadster that set the tone and made a statement about Mercedes engineering by offering the highest performance at the sportiest level.

In 1954, Mercedes stunned the world with the first SL, the legendary 300 SL Gullwing followed in 1957 by the 300 SL Roadster. More than 670,000 SLs have been built since then culminating in the 2009 version we recently drove in and around the Los Angeles area.

As the number of Mercedes models has grown over the year, so too have the number of SL variants being offered worldwide and for 2009 there are two V6 engines, a V8 and a V12.

We won't be getting either of the V6s in Canada and that is probably a good thing. With a curb weight of just over 1,800 kg the pulling power of the 231 hp, 3.0-litre in the SL 280 I drove briefly was just adequate on the highway, but proved asthmatic climbing the winding hills of the San Bernardino National Forest east of LA.

Mercedes-Benz Canada has decided to bring in the two top SLs starting with the SL 550 with a 5.5-litre DOHC V8 producing 382 hp and 391 lb/ft of torque. The other version is the 5.5-litre, twin turbocharged V12 SL 600 with 510 hp and 612 lb/ft of torque. The SL 550 comes with the latest seven-speed automatic transmission which sees the car go from 0-100 km/h 5.4 seconds.

The mighty SL 600 has a five-speed automatic primarily because the new seven-speed can't absorb all the torque the V12 puts out. Nonetheless it still manages to vault from 0-100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds.

Fuel consumption (premium only) has not been established at this writing, but on the European combined cycle the SL 550 gets 11.9L/100 km while the SL 600 is 13.9L/100 km. You will need a hefty gas card for these two.

There may only be two seats, but this is a big car from any angle and it certainly has presence. You can tell this is a Mercedes-Benz from the other side of a football field, no doubt, what the stylists intended.

For 2009, Mercedes went back to the original 300 SL, borrowing heritage cues like the two power bulges on the hood, the heat extractor gills exiting from behind the front wheel wells and grille-filling silver three-pointed star in a ring emblem. The rear has been tidied up with diffuser look bumper with sizeable trapezoidal exhaust tips integrated into each corner.

Seating is beyond sumptuous with multi power adjust for driver and passenger, both of whom are cosseted low and deep into the cabin area. There is the classic three-spoke steering wheel, which is very deliberately set so the driver's eyes are straight ahead with the two main instruments (tach and speedo) just a glance below. The speedo and tach have a chronometer look with red pointers.

Owners have a wide range of materials, colours and options to choose from for the interior, but new is Airscarf that is optional on the SL 550 and standard on the SL 600. Each headrest is open at the back with a pair of fans and a heater built in. With an air vent on the driver side, a mere touch of a button sends warming air on the nape of the neck to keep the chill away and dramatically extending the top-down season.

Mercedes has simplified the Comand infotainment system. It still takes a lot of practice to get right but the Comand APS system with its voice-operated command system is easier to work. Using Linguatronic, as it is called, the user can access the navigation, telephone and audio systems by voice.

Suspension at both ends is multilink with Mercedes' Active Body Control (ABS) operating the shock absorbers. It compensates pitch, roll and yaw on the part of the body and adapts the suspension settings automatically to meet the demands of the driver. With the standard variable weighted power steering that compensates for speed, the two combine to give the best handling possible with the correct amount of steering input by the driver.

Tooling along Hollywood Blvd, I counted as least five other SLs of various vintages all going at the speed limit as if in no hurry as all. I guess when you can afford a SL and all that goes with it, like the home in Beverley Hills; you have people doing whatever needs to be done before you get into the office.

Equally on the freeways, the huge power band made cruising effortless. The SL is no lightweight and you feel this when driving along with the sense of great solidity. And any time you punch the gas there is a wonderful deep basso burble from the exhaust tips that you only get from a big V8.

Much of my driving experience centred on seemingly turn after turn climb up the mountains to the east of LA rising at one point to over 6,000 ft. I drove the SL 280, the SL 550 and the stunning twin-turbo SL 65 AMG V12 that will be the subject of a separate story.

The SL 550 made short work of the ascent. Set in Drive, the SL 550 whistled up through all the switchbacks. The steering was quick and responsive, but you could tell that the sensors were working flat out as I tried to go deeper and brake later with each turn trying to find the limits of the ABC, but I never did.

Price had not been set at this writing as Mercedes Canada and the factory were still haggling, but the sticker for the 2008 models are $135,000 and $177,000 respectively which should give you some idea.

We did a lot of driving that day and at the end of it all, I was able to get out of the car back at the hotel without feeling taxed.

And that is exactly what the 2009 SL is all about.

It is a very sporting driving machine when needed and it is also a benign boulevardier with the kind of presence that demands respect from the valet guys when you pull up.

MERCEDES-BENZ SL 550/600 2009 AT A GLANCE

• BODY STYLE: Premium roadster.
• DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, rear-wheel drive;
• ENGINE: 5.5-litre, DOHC V8 (382 hp, 391 lb/ft); 5.5-litre DOHC twin turbocharged V12 (510 hp, 612 lb/ft)
• FUEL ECONOMY: Based on European cycle: SL 550, 11.9L/100 km; SL 600, 13.9L/100 km
• PRICE: NA
• WEB: www.mercedes-benz.ca

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