Ever since my late father pronounced it his “dream car,” I’ve had a soft spot in my heart for the Mercedes-Benz SL. He wasn’t alone, of course; we lived in Southern California, where SLs were as ubiquitous as surfboards and red-tile roofs. But my dad—who owned vehicles like a vintage “panel truck” and a Chevy El Camino over the years—never did get his hands on an SL, probably because of its hefty price tag.
The luxury, high-dollar Mercedes roadster he was so enamored with debuted in 1954 as the 300SL Gullwing. The 2009 model, which I tested recently, is a “refreshed” take on the car’s fourth-generation version, which was introduced five years ago. Its very subtle changes and improvements will have to suffice for now, as a totally redesigned SL won’t be available until 2012.
Not that the new and improved SL550 isn’t anything but amazing itself. Low and sleek, like a silver bullet on wheels, the ’09 two-seater boasts a slightly more macho appearance than its predecessor. That’s due mostly to a new front fascia—including a new single-bar grille—and a beefed-up, more powerful-looking rear end, complete with twin exhaust tips.
Inside the cockpit, the main enhancement is a sporty new three-spoke steering wheel. The super-supportive seats can be cooled as well as heated, and you’ll find it takes just 16 seconds or so to lower the roof automatically. The car’s 5.5-liter V-8 engine, hooked to a seven-speed automatic transmission, generates 382 horses and 391 lb.-ft. of torque. Time from 0 to 60: just 5.3 seconds.
Smooth-handling and luxurious, the 2009 Mercedes SL550 remains pricey but fun to drive—a more-than-worthy rival for cars like the Cadillac XLR and Porsche’s 911. A “dream car,” indeed.
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| (left) The 382 HP, 5.5-L, V-8 engine. (right) The sticker price on the Mercedes-Benz is $96,775. photography courtesy of Mercedes-Benz |
