Benz 2017 Edition

Like a report player with a Bluetooth connection, the Mercedes-Benz SL is a relic from a bygone era with a contemporary twist. The SL has been part of the corporation's lineup for more than 60 years with the equal fundamental philosophy: a elegant, costly two-door with presence befitting its rich fee tag. The present day, sixth-generation SL turned into added in 2012 and obtained a facelift for the 2017 model year.
upon getting our kicks inside the over-the-pinnacle, V-12–powered AMG SL65 last yr, we’ve now spent some time with this bottom-rung SL, the SL450. replacing the preceding SL400, the 2017 model receives more grunt to correspond with its badge uptick‚ an additional 34 horses from its dual-faster 3.0-liter V-6 for a brand new total of 362 horsepower. extra cylinders are available within the 449-hp V-8 SL550, the AMG-fettled V-8 SL63 with 577 horsepower, and the top-canine AMG SL65 with 621 horsepower. but the six-cylinder SL450 moves nicely enough to make those better-powered versions appear overly indulgent—which, of course, is precisely why they exist.

candy Six
Regardless, this blown V-6, which pals with Benz’s brand new nine-pace automated, is masses special. It produces a nice exhaust burble at idle and a pleasing steel rasp as it revs. There’s a strong swell of torque inside the midrange, and the 9-speed is both intelligently programmed and short to shift. Sixty mph arrives in a reasonable 4.5 seconds, zero.1 2d in advance of the SL400 and simplest 0.8 2nd off the tempo of the SL65 that boasts twice the variety of cylinders and precisely twice the pound-ft of torque—for twice the charge. And, no longer that it matters much in a excessive-end roadster, but the SL450 inspired us with its efficiency, accomplishing a miserly 31 mpg on our 75-mph dual carriageway gas-economy test.
The lighter weight of the V-6 within the nostril—this 3850-pound SL450 weighed nearly 300 kilos much less than the last V-eight–powered SL550 we examined—also does wonders for the coping with. although it’s virtually not as nimble as a Porsche 911, the SL turns in sharply, feels supremely balanced, and includes its mass nicely thru corners. The steering is accurate and self assurance inspiring, despite the fact that we want for greater avenue experience. using on Bridgestone Potenza S001 run-flat tires, staggered 285 millimeters wide inside the rear and 255 in the the front, the SL450 gripped the skidpad at 0.ninety three g and stopped from 70 mph in 159 toes—now not pretty sports activities-car territory however just like the Lexus LC500’s numbers.Like a report player with a Bluetooth connection, the Mercedes-Benz SL is a relic from a bygone era with a contemporary twist. The SL has been part of the corporation's lineup for more than 60 years with the equal fundamental philosophy: a elegant, costly two-door with presence befitting its rich fee tag. The present day, sixth-generation SL turned into added in 2012 and obtained a facelift for the 2017 model year.
upon getting our kicks inside the over-the-pinnacle, V-12–powered AMG SL65 last yr, we’ve now spent some time with this bottom-rung SL, the SL450. replacing the preceding SL400, the 2017 model receives more grunt to correspond with its badge uptick‚ an additional 34 horses from its dual-faster 3.0-liter V-6 for a brand new total of 362 horsepower. extra cylinders are available within the 449-hp V-8 SL550, the AMG-fettled V-8 SL63 with 577 horsepower, and the top-canine AMG SL65 with 621 horsepower. but the six-cylinder SL450 moves nicely enough to make those better-powered versions appear overly indulgent—which, of course, is precisely why they exist.

candy Six
Regardless, this blown V-6, which pals with Benz’s brand new nine-pace automated, is masses special. It produces a nice exhaust burble at idle and a pleasing steel rasp as it revs. There’s a strong swell of torque inside the midrange, and the 9-speed is both intelligently programmed and short to shift. Sixty mph arrives in a reasonable 4.5 seconds, zero.1 2d in advance of the SL400 and simplest 0.8 2nd off the tempo of the SL65 that boasts twice the variety of cylinders and precisely twice the pound-ft of torque—for twice the charge. And, no longer that it matters much in a excessive-end roadster, but the SL450 inspired us with its efficiency, accomplishing a miserly 31 mpg on our 75-mph dual carriageway gas-economy test.
The lighter weight of the V-6 within the nostril—this 3850-pound SL450 weighed nearly 300 kilos much less than the last V-eight–powered SL550 we examined—also does wonders for the coping with. although it’s virtually not as nimble as a Porsche 911, the SL turns in sharply, feels supremely balanced, and includes its mass nicely thru corners. The steering is accurate and self assurance inspiring, despite the fact that we want for greater avenue experience. using on Bridgestone Potenza S001 run-flat tires, staggered 285 millimeters wide inside the rear and 255 in the the front, the SL450 gripped the skidpad at 0.ninety three g and stopped from 70 mph in 159 toes—now not pretty sports activities-car territory however just like the Lexus LC500’s numbers.
nice to relax
on the other hand, we don’t anticipate the SL to turn in sports-car-like overall performance due to the fact, as always, this Benz’s prevailing man or woman is that of a leisurely cruiser. The experience is compliant and, with the retractable hardtop raised, the cabin is quiet and serene. various riding modes are available, inclusive of a sharp-edged game+ putting that brings sharper shifts from the transmission and further damping stiffness. however we favored to live in the greater comfortable comfort and slightly tauter game modes to maintain the lush experience exceptional and the powertrain’s delicate conduct.
in spite of its updated layout, the SL deals in subtlety, missing the flash and pizzazz of cars inclusive of the Jaguar F-kind and Lexus LC (and Mercedes-Benz’s very own AMG GT). We’re divided at the freshened face, which seems greater up to date than earlier than however consists of some peculiar shapes, while the droopy rear seems to emphasize the auto’s massive scale in an unflattering way. in this charge range, too, we would pick extra sumptuousness from the SL's cabin, which seems dated and staid even compared to decrease-quit yet more moderen Benzes along with the C- and E-elegance. The imperative infotainment display screen also is at the small side, although it's easy sufficient to function with the console-established manage knob.

finding Its region
As an awful lot as we experience the SL with this access-stage V-6 engine, its charge isn’t pretty low sufficient to justify it as a good deal in this segment. Our well-prepared check car, with a $5050 top rate package deal and a $2250 driving force assistance bundle, stickered simply underneath the six-parent mark, at $96,0.5. V-6–powered F-sorts may be had for much less, and the substantially snazzier Mercedes-AMG GT roadster, with 469 horsepower from a dual-rapid four.0-liter V-eight, starts offevolved at $a hundred twenty five,325—a sensible proposition when purchasing in this rate stratosphere.
The Mercedes-Benz convertible lineup is crowded, along with cabriolet versions of the C-, E-, and S-magnificence, the smaller SLC roadster, and that top-dog AMG GT. The SL, at the same time as ageing gracefully, is hardly a standout among those. but present day rumors propose that there could be a subsequent-era SL with a 4-seat layout so that it will efficaciously update the S-class convertible, that is anticipated to be discontinued. honestly, the SL is one vestige of the beyond that Mercedes feels is worth maintaining.