It’s been a popular status symbol with actors, sports stars and other species of financially-gifted folks for decades, but the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 has more going for it than bragging rights and rank in the office car-park.
The SL 550 is the entry model to the German automaker’s SL-Class model range. It’s a nameplate with recognition that brand managers would kill for: instantly synonymous with high-class roadster touring luxury and performance. If you only know one Mercedes-Benz model, it’s probably this one.
Trendy and topless
Best part? The SL has a motorized roof that takes a hike in mere seconds, folding away into the trunk at the touch of a button. Fellow motorists will watch the display of morphing panels in awe.
Roof or not, it looks magnificent. The tester was finished in a unique matte silver paint for a special, custom appearance. Air vents, body sculpting and a sleek, wind-swept look call the world of aviation to mind – and the unmistakable Benz grille was flanked by beautiful, steerable xenon projector headlights.
Dual exhausts, great-looking rims and a few subtle, clever character lines round out the package. Up front, it’s capped off with a massive star emblem that’s sealed into the grille so nobody can pop it off with a screwdriver to sell on eBay.
Its own little world
On board, the SL welcomes its two occupants into a world of stitched leather and metal trim. This lines a cockpit that blends traditional European luxury with a healthy dose of modern high-tech: simple, focused and relaxing on one hand, but fitted with features like navigation, radar-guided cruise control, parking assist and automatic or motorized everything.
The seats are heated, chilled, and offer up a massage function as well as the AIRSCARF heaters that blow warm air out of the headrests and onto your neck. There's a glass segment in the convertible top that includes a sunshade, the push-button engine start button is right on the shifter, and a simply awesome, eardrum-rupturing harman/kardon stereo system was also fitted.
Most every click, switch, latch and control in the SL feels solid, robust and high-quality. This is a great example of a car that feels like it costs as much as it does – except for the climate control temperature selector dials which feel somewhat flimsy and cheap.
The SL 550 is the entry model to the German automaker’s SL-Class model range. It’s a nameplate with recognition that brand managers would kill for: instantly synonymous with high-class roadster touring luxury and performance. If you only know one Mercedes-Benz model, it’s probably this one.
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| Roof or not, it looks magnificent. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |
Trendy and topless
Best part? The SL has a motorized roof that takes a hike in mere seconds, folding away into the trunk at the touch of a button. Fellow motorists will watch the display of morphing panels in awe.
Roof or not, it looks magnificent. The tester was finished in a unique matte silver paint for a special, custom appearance. Air vents, body sculpting and a sleek, wind-swept look call the world of aviation to mind – and the unmistakable Benz grille was flanked by beautiful, steerable xenon projector headlights.
Dual exhausts, great-looking rims and a few subtle, clever character lines round out the package. Up front, it’s capped off with a massive star emblem that’s sealed into the grille so nobody can pop it off with a screwdriver to sell on eBay.
Its own little world
On board, the SL welcomes its two occupants into a world of stitched leather and metal trim. This lines a cockpit that blends traditional European luxury with a healthy dose of modern high-tech: simple, focused and relaxing on one hand, but fitted with features like navigation, radar-guided cruise control, parking assist and automatic or motorized everything.
The seats are heated, chilled, and offer up a massage function as well as the AIRSCARF heaters that blow warm air out of the headrests and onto your neck. There's a glass segment in the convertible top that includes a sunshade, the push-button engine start button is right on the shifter, and a simply awesome, eardrum-rupturing harman/kardon stereo system was also fitted.
Most every click, switch, latch and control in the SL feels solid, robust and high-quality. This is a great example of a car that feels like it costs as much as it does – except for the climate control temperature selector dials which feel somewhat flimsy and cheap.
 |
| A simply awesome, eardrum-rupturing harman/kardon stereo system was also fitted. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |