Introduction

The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class of two-seat roadsters has been significantly upgraded for 2007. These were wonderful cars before, and they're even more wonderful for 2007. For 2007, all SL models get revised styling, with new front, rear, and side sheetmetal along with new interior decor. The entry-level model, now called the SL550, gets a bigger, more powerful engine, and a new seven-speed automatic, giving it a big boost in performance and a sportier sound. The SL55 AMG gets more power as well. The steering and active suspension have been upgraded on all the 2007 models, sharpening the handling. At the same time, these cars provide grand touring intimacy, for quiet conversation or unimpeded stereo performance. New upholstery materials give the cabins a richer appearance. Drop the top and they deliver comfortable, top-down motoring, putting the wind in your hair, and whisking your troubles away. Buffeting is well controlled, so you don't even have to put up with much wind. Few sports cars can boast a continuous 50-year history like the Mercedes-Benz SL can. First offered as a two-seat 300SL roadster in 1957, the SL-Class brought heart-stopping good looks, fuel injection, independent front and rear suspension and disc brakes to the sports car party, and has been in the Mercedes-Benz lineup ever since, leading the applied technology in the sports car segment with things like the disappearing steel top, radar, sonar, active hydraulic suspension and composite brakes. Today we have the safest, quickest, flattest-handling and prettiest SL-Class cars in half a century. The SL-Class comes in one body style, a two-seat roadster with a steel retractable hardtop. The SL550, SL600, SL55 AMG, and SL65 AMG deliver varying levels of performance, however, ranging from fast to faster. The SL models compete in the luxury sports car segment with the BMW 6 Series convertible, the new Jaguar XK, the Porsche 911 Turbo cabriolet, and the Aston Martin V-8 Vantage.

Walkaround

For 2007, the Mercedes SL-Class sports a more aggressively styled front air dam, a new front grille and chrome-trimmed fog lights. The SL550 (which will still be called the SL500 in most other markets) has the least body adornment within its bolder, sportier new design envelope. The designers have given the SL550 a much more aggressive front-end appearance, a new lower air dam, new front lamps, a bigger grille, and new sill plates inside the doors. The taillamps are new, with white rather than red lenses, as are the 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels (alternate 18- and 19-inch wheels and tires will be optional). The SL600 and SL65 AMG will carry front fender badges reading V12 Biturbo, while the SL55 will be badged V8 Kompressor. The two AMGs will share body panels, noses and sills, while the SL550 and SL600 share design details. All of them are absolutely gorgeous. The folding and disappearing power top raises or lowers in just 16 seconds.

Interior Features

The designers have increased the level of luxury inside this already beautiful interior for 2007, by specifying more expensive leathers, woods and carpeting throughout. The main instrument cluster has been redesigned, with new chronometer graphics and additional leather stitching on the binnacle. New aluminum trim panels are coordinated with a new burr walnut wood trim. New, softer leather is used on the seats and panels, and new colors, black and red, have been added. Cockpit comfort in the SL550 as well as the other models is superior, with a huge range of seat and steering wheel adjustability, and the seats are supremely comfortable and containing. This is a two-seat sports car, however, and there's still that wall behind the seats that restricts seat travel and may make taller drivers fidget around, looking for the best compromise in seating comfort. All of the controls are in the same places as on the 2006 model, albeit surrounding by more aluminum trim, and they're easy to use, including the COMAND system and the navigation screen. With the steel top up, you have the kind of grand touring intimacy you want with your driving partner. In 16 seconds, you have the open-air cruising mode, and with the side windows up and the conversation panel flipped up behind the seats, you can converse with your partner in a normal voice, or listen cleanly to the stereo right up to about 100 mph when the wind noise will win out. Sirius Satellite Radio with six months of free service has been made standard equipment on all models. The in-car hands-free communication system can use either Bluetooth connectivity (to use with your Bluetooth-compatible cell phone) or a multi-handset interface, each of which is sold separately from the car through dealerships. An electric trunk lid opener button has been added for 2007. A power trunk lid closer will be added but won't be on early 2007 models. The luggage cover, which keeps luggage from interfering with the stowed top, is now removable, to add more luggage space in the tiny trunk. If you're planning on carrying more than a weekend's worth of luggage for two, though, you're out of space already. The SL offers 10.2 cubic feet of trunk space with the top up, 7.3 cubic feet with the top down. The folding and disappearing power top raises or lowers in just 16 seconds.