Mercedes Benz

SL-Class (inc AMG)

No journey will ever be too far after a short stint behind the wheel of the stunning Mercedes SL-Class. Boasting beauty in abundance, along with amazing technical specifications, the incredible attention to detail on this vehicle is clear for all to see.

Test Drive

Mercedes SL 350 AMG

When it comes to producing sublime sports cars with all the power, driving dynamics and luxurious creature comforts you could wish for, Mercedes is a guaranteed fore-runner in the race for perfection.

And the mighty SL 350 AMG is no exception to that rule.

For this car epitomises two-seat sports car driving at its very finest.

Its looks are guaranteed to stop onlookers dead in their tracks, it’s packed to bursting with state-of-the-art technology and the performance is anything but mediocre.

In fact, this car can sprint to 62mph from a standing start in just 5.9 seconds and redlines at an electronically-limited 155mph.

Admittedly it comes with a hefty price-tag to match – £88,360 with options added, but sometimes you get what you pay for and this is a perfect example of that theory. For the SL 350 is pure class inside and out.

First impressions are vital and the Mercedes looks amazing from any approach thanks to sweeping light clusters with LED daytime running lights, 19-inch alloys, muscular AMG styling features, green tinted glass windows and sporty twin tailpipes that release a roar that wouldn’t be out of place in the Kruger National Park.

And once inside, it’s impossible not to be wowed by the elegance, sophistication and sheer craftsmanship that has gone into designing the perfect cabin environment.

Techno treats include electrically adjustable leather sports seats which have memory settings and even offer a massage function.

There is even neck-level heating from the headrest to make open-top driving more comfortable.

The 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with DAB radio is compatible with all modern media devices and delivers pitch perfect sound quality and other features in a very long list includes luxury automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, heated or cooled seats, and an easy-to-use sat-nav system.

Many of the car’s most prominent functions are controlled by a central dial which is very simple to operate and means you can concentrate on the road ahead rather than searching for fiddly buttons.

And the car’s performance certainly matches its looks.

The 3.6-litre V6 petrol-driven engine provides all the punch and acceleration you could wish for as it eats up the Tarmac.

An Eco mode helps to maximise fuel efficiency or there are Comfort and Sport modes for slightly more edgy handling.

The seven-speed automatic gearbox is beautifully responsive and there are steering wheel-mounted paddles if you fancy taking control of gear changes manually.

As you would expect, the ride and road holding are magnificent and that means tight bends can be attacked at speed with plenty of confidence.

And when the sun puts in an appearance the roof can be lowered in a matter of seconds at the press of a button.

The only slight downfall is the rather small boot capacity of 504 litres with the roof closed which is then dramatically reduced to 364 with the roof open.

But that’s a very minor gripe in an otherwise magnificent car.

Mercedes has packed a comprehensive list of safety innovations into the SL 350, such as active lane-keeping assist, active blind spot assist, Distronic Plus to keep a safe distance from the car in front, attention assist which monitors the driver for fatigue, a roll-over bar with crash sensor, numerous airbags and plenty more besides.

All in all, the SL 350 is a magnificent mix of striking design, awesome power and driving dynamics, plus all the luxury and technology you could want for all rolled into one very neat bundle.

Test Drive

Mercedes SL 500 Roadster

Every once in a while a car comes along that simply seems too good to be true and the latest example has to be the mighty Mercedes SL 500 Roadster that tips the scales at £102k with a few optional extras.

Once you get over the “how much” and start actually admiring the car, it soon becomes apparent that this is supercar territory with a capital S.

The SL 500 looks drop dead gorgeous from every possible angle and screams performance at any onlooker thanks to its 4.6-litre 435bhp petrol-powered engine which sounds like a lion’s roar at feeding time.

Attention-grabbing features include beautifully-crafted streamlining, fluted side and bonnet vents, an intelligent light system with LED daytime running lights, green tinted glass, 19-inch alloys, twin exhausts and the panoramic vario-roof with Magic Sky Control which automatically dims the glass roof.

The interior is equally as impressive and incorporates the finest leathers and contrasting black ash wood trim. It exudes class and luxury and the leather seats can be electrically adjusted, have memory settings, offer adjustable lumbar support, can be heated or cooled and also offer a massage function with four settings. There is even a neck heating function.

Techno treats feature in abundance and include a brilliant infotainment system with 14 speakers, a 7-inch colour display, hard disc drive, a six-CD player, DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, sat-nav and compatibility with all modern media devices.

There is also ambient lighting, automatic climate control, a reversing camera and so much more.

But, the SL 500 Roadster is not just about luxury, comfort and technical wizardry. This is a car that can sprint to 62mph from a standing start in just 4.6 seconds and has a top speed that is electronically limited to 155.

And the manner the car achieves such impressive performance stats simply has to be admired. Despite the acceleration being blisteringly quick, it remains smooth and controlled at all times.

Cornering and road-holding is amazing and very tight bends can easily be attacked and conquered – the sharper the better.

And just when you thought things couldn’t get any better, Mercedes adds another bit of magic in the shape of Magic Vision Control which is an adaptive heated windscreen wiper system that sprays jets of water directly from the wipers themselves. I have to confess that the first time I used this system, I thought the jet wash was empty, but then I realised my screen was completely clean – now that is magic!

At the press of a button, the roof can easily and efficiently be opened or closed in a matter of seconds but because it folds away into the boot it does mean luggage space can be a little limited.

However, there are numerous useful storage options throughout the car, including a deep central bin and generously-sized compartment behind the passenger seat.

Another plus-factor is how quiet the car is – well, on the inside anyway! Passers-by may think differently.

And the driver can really ramp up the fun factor by selecting Sport as opposed to the Comfort mode. This gives the car an even more responsive feel.

But for days when you want to keep an eye on the environment there is the ECO mode.

As one would expect, the SL 500 has been fitted with a vastly comprehensive range of safety features.

As well as the more instantly recognisable systems, it also includes active blind spot assist, a roll-over bar with crash sensor, attention assist to monitor for driver fatigue, lane departure warning system and plenty more besides.

All in all, the SL is an amazing piece of kit. Expensive – yes, but in my opinion worth every single penny.