Mercedes SL550

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The SL-Class by Mercedes-Benz has invariably been the definitive luxury GT automotive. it's set itself because the benchmark for all different luxury machine roadsters since it’s 1st iteration in 1954 in automobile type solely, because the 300SL automobile. Since then, the automotive has evolved because the leader in technology and luxury for all different luxury roadsters that followed, particularly from 1990 to this. tho' technology has modified throughout every generation of the SL-Class, the styling has remained principally identical since the first Nineteen Nineties model, the R129. However, for the 2013 model-year, Mercedes has created it’s most forceful styling changes to its SL-Class within the past twenty years, to not mention that they’ve further a spread of technological changes moreover. Has Mercedes ruined a historically classic-looking automotive with distinctive styling and technology, or have the changes paid off for this heavyweight cruiser? Let’s conclude.




If you’re within the marketplace for a high-end luxury roadster, then styling is maybe important to you. The 2013 Mercedes SL550, initially look, could appear a trifle off, with those staggeringly bulbous headlights, upright grille, and dramatic side-skirts. These parts definitely threw American state off at first after I saw the videos of the automotive last year recorded at the Detroit car Show. i assumed the automotive had gone aloof from Mercedes’ ancient styling of the terrorist group and gone for one thing that's attempting to appear like no different sports automotive on the road. They definitely have succeeded during this space. The 2013 SL550 has serious presence. whether or not you like it or hate it, this automotive won't go un-noticed. Upon synthesizing this analogy, i spotted that the new “bolder” styling was enforced as a result of it helps Mercedes re-invent their standard-setter. I feel that this was a really good move for Mercedes, as there's currently plenty of latest competition within the section, just like the F12 BMW 6-Series.

This automotive might look strange to those that have solely seen photos of it, however upon seeing it personally, this automotive appearance extremely cool. an oversized a part of this coolness is created by the matte-grey paint job (a $1200 option), that helps onlookers higher see the lines and dimension of the automotive. I noticed a argentiferous white example of this automotive in East Lionel Hampton city the opposite week and its’ lines were under no circumstances as noticeable. Matte-finishes actually do that car’s sharply distinctive styling justice. I predict that almost all folks can have a unique read of the terrorist group upon witnessing it personally. rather than oral communication, “Damn, they ruined the terrorist group,” folks can say, “Wow, is that the new SL?” in person I worth cars that look completely different. for instance, many automotive journalists attributable the BMW Z4 as associate degree “ugly” automotive. However, the unconventional creases and curves in this automotive’s body gave the car character. BMW normally has tempered the styling of most of their models staggeringly within the past 2 to four years. Now, Mercedes appears to be doing simply the opposite; creating their cars a lot of fascinating than ever before.


Moreover, Mercedes has introduced many technological innovations to more place the terrorist group prior to its predecessors and so its competition. the first technological advancement created in my opinion would possibly really appear terribly basic to most people; the SL550s’ chassis and body construction. not like ever before, each the body and chassis of the SL550 area unit ninetieth aluminium. it's three hundred pounds lighter than the equivalent body and chassis band from the 2011 model year. The car, in some ways, is a lot of stunning on the within than the surface. Engine-wise, the SL550 has leaped forward. Gone is that the naturally aspirated five.5-liter V8 engine that has resided in numerous Benzes for the past five years. currently there's a four.6-liter V8 with twin turbos that produces 429 power unit and 519 pound-feet of torsion. that's immense. zero to sixty mph currently takes simply four seconds flat and also the linear unit comes in precisely twelve.5 seconds at 114 mph. These numbers aren't remote those of the new F13 BMW M6 convertible, that has a hundred and twenty a lot of power unit than the SL550. Remarkable. causes you to marvel why associate degreeyone would want to intensify to an AMG version of this automotive.

In addition to the engine and construction innovations of the SL550, there's currently a customary windshield-washer fluid spray system that's integrated into the wipers, eliminating that annoying, glaring spray perform typical of most up-to-date cars. additionally obtainable could be a new, picture chromatic roof build into the retractile motorcar. This technology was 1st seen within the ultra-luxurious Mercedes Maybach as early as 2003, finally it's trickled down into the SL550 as a $2500 possibility, tho' it doesn't open or tilt freelance of the motorcar tho'. different accoutrements embody associate degree upgraded Bang and Olufsen stereo with 900 watts of total output with twelve speakers, a keyless entry system, active aerated seats, rear read camera, and “AIRSCARF;” a tool that blows hot air onto the occupants necks on cooler days.


Performance choices area unit a lot of scarce on the SL550 (Mercedes must save things for the AMG versions of the SL), however there's a special $4090 possibility referred to as Active Body management (ABC) that helps give a sports automotive deportment throughout arduous cornering. will it remodel the terrorist group into a sports car? No. However, the system will facilitate this 4100-pound luxury cruiser corner like one. Mercedes advertises ABC's as “the most advanced suspension in production.” it's comprised of a network of sensors connected to hydraulic shock absorbers that stiffen up in random configurations to counteract any imperfections transmitted from the road to the chassis. This technology doesn't solely increase sportiness once driven arduous in “SPORT” mode, however it additionally helps eliminate most vibrations transmitted into the cabin once in “COMFORT” mode. each of those settings area unit selectable through a on-off switch set within the center console that comes with the ABC's suspension. Very cool.



I believe that with all of those new and improved parts of the 2013 SL-Class, Mercedes can have reinvented the benchmark of the posh roadster section. The SL550 doesn’t do the work of a good sports automotive, it accomplishes one thing way more spectacular than that. it's very snug, fast, and most of all luxurious. The SL550 could be a automotive that may surprise you after you drive it. it's am passionate about it are going to be in no time, and it is, however it's additionally terribly snug, and turns o.k., and stops even higher. fitting the SL550 with all of it’s driver-modes and buttons what a simple and exciting activity it extremely is. this can be simply however the SL550 is. choose “sport mode” on the Active Body management, “manual-mode” within the transmission and keep the automotive below fourth gear to take advantage of all of the engines extraordinary torsion. That’s what high-end fashionable sports/GT cars area unit like; established all the instrumentation with a keen eye, a bit like athletics then GO. I in person believe that the terrorist group is that the best roadster presently available. If the SL550 is what the “standard” automotive is, I can’t wait to drive the AMG versions.

source : http://www.thesmokingtire.com/2013/reader-submission-mercedes-sl550-review/