Mercedes-Benz SL55
Ah the beloved SL series from our friends at Mercedes-Benz. With a reserved spot high on the social ladder, climbers all around the world turn to this renowned German for thrills, build quality and unmistakable luxury. There is no doubt that the SL-series forms the backbone of Mercedes’ timeless designs and longer-than-normal model redesign gaps. For example, the fourth generation “Sport Leicht,” or “Sport Light” Benzo ran from 1989 all the way to 2002, and the current fifty generation will likely have a similar streak (with exception to nips and tucks here and there). But its ‘SL’ moniker is a bit deceiving seeing as how this car is anything but light, and might be more at home next to SUV’s on the scales; she comes in at around 4300 pounds. Don’t be discouraged, though, because Mercedes has partnered with its old pal AMG to manage it all with the SL55 AMG. Think of AMG as the SL’s personal trainer, feeding it plenty of protein in the form of forced induction, and strengthening its core to handle the newfound torque from its buffed up muscles. From this perspective weight is a good thing. And while many sports car and motor sports enthusiasts might turn up their nose at the notion, the result is a distinctive panache, build quality and overall feel that is reaffirmed every time you open and close the door. But with our Western views of beauty, only the thin prevail, but not in this case.
Bolstered by AMG musculature, the already beautiful fifth-generation SL series is taken new heights inside and out. Perhaps one of the most appealing things about this car is how perfectly and tightly it is put together aesthetically. Exuding flashy luxury with sporting relevance, every design cue has its place. Inside is no exception, with quilted leather seats, great sports car ergonomics and high-tech features, the SL55’s environment substantiates it as Benzo’s flagship sporting vehicle. But while its beauty undoubtedly draw
s you in, its torquey power plant will suck you in even faster. The hand-assembled AMG version of Mercedes’ big bad V8 is stroked from 84 millimeters to 92, increasing displacement from 4966cc to 5439. And the star of the show, the IHI belt-driven supercharger, is of the Lysholm type, with a Teflon-coated screw-style impeller delivering boost up to 11.6 psi. All of this is good for 493 horsepower at 6100 rpm and 516 pound-feet of torque along a deliciously flat curve from 2650 to 4500 rpm. It reaches 60 in 4.5 seconds, 100 in 10.9, and a quarter-mile in 13 seconds flat at 110 mph. It also comes with what some might find a problem and some a blessing, no supercharger whine. But don’t worry, the V8 will do all the talking wonderfully. The motor is not the only thing that is big and brawny on this car. The manhole covers that they call brake discs are 14.2 by 1.3 inches in front, 13.0 by 0.9 in the rear, and vented and cross-drilled at both ends.
Keeping control of all this power and weight is an Active Body Control electro-mechano-hydraulic suspension, re-calibrated for firmer responses while maintaining Mercedes ride quality. The sophisticated system manages weight extraordinarily well, whether the car is clawing the pavement or gripping the skidpad at .91g. All in all, this teutonic hard-top convertible carries on the legacy of well proportioned, powerful and luxurious offerings from the SL series and remains a car that anyone would be happy to see in their driveway.
