• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

2007 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Preview

Mild Exterior Freshening Hides New Internals on Refrehsed SL

Mercedes-Benzs SL is the undisputed segment leader in the grand touring convertible segment, with models spanning from entry-level six-cylinder vehicles, to the opposite end of the spectrum - a twin-turbocharged V12 supercar-beater with a price tag that comes close to $200K. The SL family is unique thanks to its aluminum folding hardtop roof, enabling it to seriously compete with both hardtop coupes and soft-top roadsters; remaining one of the few vehicles in its class that can be a sports car, a comfortable cruiser, and a practical everyday driver with plenty of useable trunk space. In other words, as far as this market is concerned, essentially the SL verges on the border of perfection.

To ring in the new year, and to celebrate four years of dominance resulting in an incredible 33 percent market share, Mercedes-Benz has

Hardly different on the surface, but underneath lurk new engines, gearboxes, suspension, and brakes. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

given the SL a host of technological updates to ensure that its halo roadster keeps a comfortable lead over the continuously improving opposition, though from a distance itll be hard to tell. Exterior changes to model-year 2007 SLs are nearly invisible: they include new tail lamps with white-colored turn signal indicators, while up front, the nose section has been tweaked slightly to include thicker, silver-painted ribs on the radiator grille, and a new lower valance with larger fog lamps; different wheels and a new colour palette round out the exterior changes. Inside modifications are equally minor, including new leather, wood and metal trim. Like the exterior, you get a few switch-ups inside. The leather is softer, and the choices available for metals and woods has broadened. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.) />
Underneath its skin, things start to a little bit more interesting, as therere two all-new engines available. While unavailable in North America, the entry-level SL350 features an all-new 3.5-liter V6 powerplant, as featured in the new-model SLK, C, CLK, and E-Class 350 models. Though smaller by 226 cc (the old 350 was powered by a 3.7-liter a V6), its output is markedly better, some 11 percent higher at 272-horsepower. The news gets better: its more than half a second quicker to 60 mph (6.5 seconds), all while managing to use one liter less fuel at 22 mpg, driven in a mix of city and highway. So really, this new engine allows you to have your cake and eat it too.

Entry level in North American markets and quite possibly one of the most balanced grand tourers

AMG models have yet to be announced, but theyll be even more powerful, no doubt. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

overall is the SL500. It too gets a new V8 engine, but where the 350s displacement has shrunken, the 500s has grown - by a half liter no less. With an extra valve in each cylinder, and dual overhead cams, the new engine produces an impressive 388-horsepower, some 86-horsepower more than the old generation V8. With all this additional power, the SL500 now verges on Porsche 911 Cabriolet territory, taking 5.3 seconds to reach 60 mph; a 0.8 second advantage over the old car. This new generation V8, developed for the groundbreaking S-Class sedan, is equally as efficient as the old V8, consuming only 19 mpg on average.

Excluding the two, performance-oriented AMG models the SL55 AMG and SL65 AMG, the range-topping version of the Benz roadster is the SL600. When it arrived three years ago, the 600-series SL caught the industry off-guard, not because it was powered by an enormous 5.5-liter V12, but because it was assisted by not one, but two light-pressure

With the 7G-Tronic Sport, you get new paddles to shift gears, while the safety cover for the roof buttons gets an aluminum cover. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

turbochargers. For 2007, the SL600 also receives updates to its heart, including a new exhaust system and an engine remap which frees an additional 24-horsepower to 517-hp total, though torque remains unchanged at 590 lb-ft. This increase in power enables it to accelerate to 60 mph 0.2 seconds faster than the outgoing car, taking just 4.4 seconds.
While Mercedes-Benz hasnt yet found a way to strengthen its 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic gearbox to cope with the V12s maximum torque output, the leading-edge gearbox will be featured as standard equipment on the SL350 and SL500. Also, for those who would like to take a walk on the SLs performance side, Benz now offers the new 7G-Tronic Sport system which features a manual-mode thats 30 percent faster. With this option, the SL gains new F1-style paddles, replacing the click-tabs, for sequential-like shifting.

Where most companies would have called it a days work after reworking the sheetmetal, fitting in new engines, and re-working the gearbox, Benz worked tirelessly to improve the way that the SL rides, brakes,

The SL 500 is one of the most balanced GTs is now more powerful, more efficient and better to drive. Amazing, really. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

and goes around corners. The latest version of the German automakers Active Body Control (ABC), a hydraulically-boosted anti-roll system, has been improved to react faster and reduce body roll by a further 60 percent without compromising ride quality. ABC is standard equipment on the SL500 and SL600, but will be offered as an option on the V6-powered SL350. Joining the updated ABC system is a re-tuned steering rack that features a more direct steering ratio, and a different hydraulic assist valve for improved feel and greater accuracy, while optimized brakes have been fitted to compensate for the more powerful SL350 and 500.

For 52 years, the Mercedes-Benz SL has represented Mercedes best - their best engines, gearboxes, luxury, and technology, and like all other generations, this latest SL fulfills these goals, worthy of the legendary designation.

The updated SL will make its debut at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show this March, and will be in showrooms later in the year. Likewise, information pertaining to AMG variants will follow, which may include the new SL63 AMG, powered by the all-new 6.3-liter naturally aspirated high-output V8. Revised pricing will be established closer to the cars North American launch this spring.

Page:  1

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo