Car Information

Redesigned for the 2009 model year, the SL-Class remains the most premium Mercedes roadster. The two available models for the U.S. market are the SL550 and SL600, while Europeans shoppers can also opt for the lesser SL350 and SL280.

The biggest changes to the SL line following the 2009 update are to the front of the car. The vehicle now has CLS-style headlamps to complement the new bumper and grille. Meanwhile, the taillights have been augmented with LEDs and a refined shape.

The SL550 and SL600's engines remain unchanged. The former has a 5.5-liter V8 delivering 382 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 391 pound-feet of torque between 2,800 and 4,800 rpm. The latter is motivated by a 517 horsepower twin-turbo V12, delivering 612 pound-feeet of torque from 1900 rpm up to 3500 rpm. Both models now have factionally better fuel economy.

The next-generation SL range include two AMG models: the SL 65 and SL63. The SL 65 will feature Mercedes' twin-turbo V12 - producing 612 horsepower - while the SL 63 uses a 6.3L V8 with 525 horsepower. We take a look at both vehicles in separate reports.

The car's steering system has been improved to feature a variable rack ratio, which adjusts in line with the steering angle, increasing sharply as soon as this reaches five degrees. All of which means that, compared to a steering system with a constant ratio, the driver does not have to move the steering wheel as much when cornering.

New lighting technology

A new shape isn't the only thing the SL's new headlights have going for them. The units are equipped as standard with powerful bi-xenon bulbs that are purportedly more powerful and more energy-efficient than comparable LED headlamps.

Now available is the Intelligent Light System, featuring five distinct functions, which are automatically selected. They are: country mode, motorway mode, enhanced fog lamps, cornering light function and active light function.

Motorway mode is activated in two stages when the speed exceeds 56 mph, increasing the driver's range of vision by up to 60 percent. When the active light function is activated, the headlamps pivot to the side in line with the steering angle when the driver enters a bend, allowing them to see around 80 feet further into a long bend. The cornering light function is activated automatically at speeds below 44 mph.

Interior

The interior has been improved with better seats, a new-look three-spoke leather steering wheel, and a completely restyled instrument cluster.

As soon as the ignition is switched on, the cockpit instruments grab the driver's attention: the red speedometer and rev counter needles are woken from their "six o' clock position", rotate once around the dials to their maximum values and then revert to their zero positions.

In terms of materials, there are two types of leather to choose from, as well as five different aluminium or fine-wood trims and five color combinations. The SL 600 underlines its top billing with extremely soft Exclusive nappa leather and trim elements in elegant poplar wood.

The Airscarf system first seen on the SLK provides warmth to the driver and passenger for top-down motoring in cooler weather. The blower and heating are now incorporated in the head rests for improved comfort.

Features

Mercedes has improved its COMAND infotainment system, which provides access to information, entertainment and communications. New additions include a Bluetooth receiver and a larger 6.5-inch color display.

An iPod can now be fully integrated with the COMAND system, thanks to the new UCI (Universal Consumer Interface). The feature allows the iPod music tracks to be indicated on the instrument cluster and on the COMAND display in the center console.

Customers can equip the new SL with the Harman Kardon "Logic7" sound system, which is also used in the S-Class. The sound system has an output of 510 watts.