Mercedes SL-Class 500 test drive review Mercedes SL500 - Autogefühl

http://www.autogefuehl.de/2014/06/14/mercedes-sl-500-testbericht-60-jahre-mercedes-sl-und-die-suche-nach-perfektion/

Testing the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, the 2014 Mercedes SL 500.

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With its fine materials, the Mercedes SL gives you immediately a luxurious feeling. You can see, this car was perfectly finished with great attention to detail. In German cars, the clearance is always a big matter, the small gaps between two elements -- which are supposed to be exactly even. We can see this perfect symmetry here, for example. I do like the clear, elegant design lines in the front. But the media panel looks not quite up to date with its square plastic buttons.

The "Cockpit Management and Data System" COMAND can be ordered with internet access. A DVD changer is also available as an option. I really don't know, why anyone would still use DVD's in a car, but nevertheless.

One feature I like best, is the panoramic glass roof with adjustable lighting, called MAGIC SKY CONTROL. The transparent roof switches to light or dark at the push of a button. It had been tested in Death Valley in California and the result was, that with dimmed roof, you reduce the heat radiation by the sun about the factor twenty. How does it work? Imagine particles inside the glass that stand in a clear row and let sunshine through, as long as an electric current is induced. When I push the button, the electric current fades, the particles get all mixed up -- and prevent light and heat from shining through.

This sixth generation of the SL also offers that hard roof that can be retracted into the boot using an electrohydraulic mechanism to save space, which converts the SL in a few seconds into a roadster or a coupé. In less than 20 seconds it opens or closes. The disadvantage is of course, that you have to stand still. In that case, a soft top is better -- but not that durable over the years.

Feeling

While driving, the first things I immediately notice is the exceptional riding comfort. You have a extremely smooth ride, no matter if you are in the Sport or Comfort mode. Actually the difference doesn't turn out to be big. I can just repeat, the suspension is maybe the most superior thing about this car and sets standards.

The sportiness comes to play, when you push the throttle and circle it around the corner. You feel a little bit of rear wheel spin -- that's just super fun, and even works with stability control turned on.

The electronics just allow you that little spin to have the fun and still keep being in control. However, you can also turn off the stability control to be able to spin it around more freely. The SL is powerful in accelerating and effortlessly superior across all speeds and nimble on winding roads, like here in Southern France.

On the negative side, there is the indirect steering which lets it step down from the league of pure sportscars. So sportscar lovers might be annoyed by this, however, you should prefer the smooth ride of a grand GT with sporty elements.

Special Features

Mercedes always wants to stress its safety features, and actually, for a roadster, there are a lot of them in it. For example, we have the blind spot warner, giving you a signal when cars are approaching at the sides from behind -- erm, does that actually happen when driving this car? ;-)

Furthermore, the so called Adaptive Brake firstly warns you when you are getting to close to a car -- with a visual and a sound hint. That can be practical, if you are overtaking a vehicle, turn your head shortly to take a look around and in that second the vehicle in front of you brakes hardly. In that case, the sound

catches your attention 1 second earlier and you can start the braking process right away. Also, in an emergency braking situation the braking lights are flashing to warn the car behind you.

And my favorite: The Active Parking Assist. It automatically manoeuvres the car into a parking space using ultrasound sensors. We will see how it works.

Engines

The current SL500 has a 4.7 Liter V8 under the bonnet. With its twin turbo, it reached 435 horsepower -- and boosts you from 0 to 100 kilometres or 0 to 60 miles in 4,6 seconds.

In Germany, there is also the smaller SL400 available, it recently replaced the SL350 now delivering 333 horsepower from a 3 Liter V6. If you are OK with that, you can at least save 20.000 Euros stepping down. The SL 500 however starts at 120.000 Euros in Germany, at 80.000 Pounds in the UK and at 106.000

Dollars in the US -- where you can only get the SL 550 with 429 horse power. No clue why it is called 550 although having less horsepower.