Mercedes SL500: specifications and reviews

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2020-01-05 07:00:17

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Mercedes SL500 (previously known as the 500SL) – this is perhaps one of the most iconic car models «Mercedes-Benz”. It was an indispensable and very attractive attribute of the line luxury roadsters since 1980, but whether in pace with the recent external update?

Users like a clearer and more purposeful appearance, sophisticated transmission, improved on-Board technology. At the same time they are dissatisfied with the large, inconvenient when driving in the city.

Nearest competitors

The Possible alternatives of the model are:

  • A Little more practical BMW 650i Convertible M Sport, which can, and has a thoroughbred appearance, but beautiful, somewhat sportier than a Mercedes SL500 (photos shown later in the article), and additional seats for two people (although the back not so much legroom).
  • A More sporty Jaguar F-Type R Convertible, equipped with a heavy duty V8 engine, has a lively dynamic and is probably one of the most beautiful produce road cars. He has a tiny boot, and although it is designed for cruising drive, he's more suited to spirited driving style.
  • Used Exotic model – 3-4 years of Maserati GranCabrio and an Aston Martin DB9 Volante.

mercedes sl500

SL – what is it?

Mercedes-Benz SL – an icon of the automotive industry. History class goes back to the time when Sindelfingen the company has created a road version of its race car 50-ies, which led to the introduction of a commemorative model 300SL “Gullwing”, followed by the Pagoda SL of the 60's and Der Panzerwagen or Bobby Ewing's SL 70-ies and 80-ies.

90 years, however, the SL has evolved from a compact Roadster Boulevard cruiser with an open top. The introduction of the retractable hard roof to R230 at the beginning of the new Millennium, it seemed, it stressed. Regardless of the introduction of the powerful AMG versions of the SL became somewhat corpulent, with a soft suspension, though, no doubt, great car sport-touring type.

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mercedes benz sl500

The Current sixth generation SL, which appeared 4 years ago, became even longer and wider than its predecessor, and it uses technologies that reduce weight, abundance of luxury on-Board features and adaptive damping. Moreover, the automotive media was not particularly impressed with some edgy in a different sport Roadster front. Moreover, traditional rivals “Mercedes-Benz” still, refrain from the temptation to build a large outdoor model with folding metal roof. They prefer the mesh top, which is more compact and makes possible the configuration of a convertible “2+2”.

At a recent restyling was held aesthetic upgrade to style and adopted some features super luxurious S-class coupé. But now that Mercedes-Benz offers a more practical convertible version of sonderklasse if there is any sense in SL?

convertible mercedes benz sl500

What it looks Like on the road?

Perhaps it is indicative that Mercedes-Benz offers the SL-series with the AMG package. While some may believe that the standard version to improve it seemed a little bland, considering the bold style of the predecessor model, low torpedo-like form “Benz” has a characteristic sharp "snout" of the calling of the front bumper, bold diamond grille and elongated headlights with standard led intelligent lighting system. The astute observer will notice that on the hood now resides a pair of powerfully protruding ridges.

In terms of the attractiveness of the appearance of a convertible Mercedes-Benz SL500 is undoubtedly distinctive. With more than 4.6 m in length and nearly 1.9 m wide at the Roadster has something to fill the Parking space... It is good when riding blissfully admire from afar, but the impressive dimensions are not quite comfortable when the driver is trying to maneuver in congested city centre. Long hood Mercedes SL500 complicates the evaluation of the place of stay for Parking. Fortunately there are distance sensors. There are standard Parking system, so you can take the help of electronics. Elongated doors need to open carefully to avoid contact with vehicles parked near the flanks «Mercedes». And the old “dead” the accelerator pedal, which first needs a strong jolt to the vehicle could be set in motion, takes some getting used to.

mercedes sl500 r230

Mercedes SL500: specifications

Yes, SL can be cumbersome in the shopping trip, making it almost unbearable, but with a quiet ride on Sunday along a winding scenic road “Benz” brilliant and is in his element. Mercedes-Benz SL500, the characteristics of which are determined by a babbling 335-kW 4,7-litre V8 engine, perfectly agreed with 9-speed automatic transmission, provides powerful (perhaps excessive) performance in combination with (mostly) a sweeping move. Maximum speed – 250 km/h Acceleration to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds fuel Consumption – with 12.4 liters in the city, 7 years – and combined – 9 L.

As with the entire line of AMG, ground clearance reduced by 10 mm, but the car is also equipped with adaptive suspensionactive body control Active Body Control (ABC) with the tilt on turns. AVS works in conjunction with the corresponding dynamic selection modes of transmission: “Curve” (CV), which is strategically applies a maximum of 2.65 degrees of tilt in the range of speeds of 15–180 km/h to optimize the comfort of passengers, “Comfort” (C) «Sports» (S), "Sport plus" (S+) and finally, “Individual” (I) which allows individual adjustment of various parameters in accordance with the requirements of the driver.

mercedes sl500 photo

Handling and a smooth ride

Mercedes-Benz SL500 owners characterize as the car copes with varying road conditions. Its handling is admirable, given the weight of the Roadster, but on the most uneven surfaces “Benz” feels a bit unreliable, probably due to the large size of the wheels and low profile rubber. And honestly, the steering is pretty vague if you don't, you feel a little fuzzy. This means that, although the Mercedes SL500 is quite capable of providing high speed, the driver won't be inclined gladly to press on the gas pedal.

However, given the nature of “Benz” and perceived urban sophistication of its target market strengths of the model is relaxed and exciting open-top driving experience. Be natural, if “Benz” sell most of its SL in the rich coastal cities: how the proposal meets the relevant lifestyle, it justifies itself.

Moreover, the ability to manually adjust the ground clearance is a cause of deep gratitude. One touch of a button you can raise the ground clearance by 50 mm, which is a lifesaver when boarding and disembarking from a car with such generous overhangs.

Luxurious interior

There are, of course, the positive side of the sizes of the Mercedes-Benz SL500 - excellent comfortable interior as possible Roadster. Large adaptive seats offer many features such as a wide range of electric adjustment, heating function, or cooling and various massage modes.

The interior Design though not as elegant as the S class, but classically designed and is beautifully stitched leather trim and stylish metal accents on the instrument panel.

mercedes benz sl500 features

High-end audio

Music Lovers can enjoy the surround sound system Harman Kardon Logic 7, 10 channel DSP amplifier with a total output of 600 watts and 11 loudspeakers including Frontbass, which uses the free space aluminum cavities in front of the feet as resonators for the bass loudspeakers. Luxurious enough? Then you can order a sound system Bang & Olufsen Beosound AMG 16-channel digital amplifier with a total power of 900 watts and a dozen columns!

Magic “Benz”

Although comprehensive luxury car worth about 150 thousand dollars is expected, Mercedes-Benz SL500 is still able to surprise and delight, including the Magic Vision Control system which sprays onto the windscreen the streams of water and gently gets the flush fluid through the wipers, and the system Magic Sky Control can last several seconds to change the tinted glass panels of the panoramic roof from dark to transparent or Vice versa.

mercedes benz sl500 owners reviews

Convertible top

About the electro-hydraulic folding roof can say that the procedure of opening or closing can be produced at speeds up to 40 km/h, which is very useful when you want to start moving after a traffic light or intersection, and the installation of the roof is not yet complete. However, this operation can be initiated only when the car is stationary... in Other words, it is impossible to activate the mechanism, simply reducing the speed to 40 km/h.

The Verdict

Sixty years after the “Mercedes-Benz SL” has left an indelible mark in the automotive world, Mercedes SL500 R230 and his brothers (SL400, SL63 AMG and SL65 AMG) continue to exist as the only large luxury roadsters on the background of the competing cars in the formula "2+2" and an exotic Grand Tourer with a soft top. Perhaps the opponents have not developed a direct competitor to SL, out of respect for its religious status, but it seems more likely that the consideration that they believe the market for this type of vehicle is too niche and not worthy of “dressing”.

It Should be remembered that in the absence of a convertible S-class, which has now returned after a 44-year hiatus, the SL had to fulfill the role of a Roadster and the “Gran tourism”. This explains why the car has become a bit like “luxobarge”. Users had the opportunity to ride in a new convertible S-class, note that it is more practical, refined and perhaps more prestigious his brother. SL fans may argue that the S500 worth a quarter more expensive than SL. This is a great advantage, if however there is no intention to use the additional seats and have a bigger trunk.

Apogee luxury cruiser

Anyway, according to the assumptions of some sources, the next SL, which should appear in 2018–19 years, will have a more compact layout, a fabric roof and will supposedly cover the gap between the SLC and SL. So today, Mercedes SL500 – SL in the apogee phase of a luxury cruiser of the evolution of the iconic class of cars. It may not be for everyone, and Yes, it now seemsan anomaly from the point of view of supply on the market as a whole. But for fans of what has been and is the SL-class, model can compare just a few of the competitors.


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Alin Trodden - author of the article, editor
"Hi, I'm Alin Trodden. I write texts, read books, and look for impressions. And I'm not bad at telling you about it. I am always happy to participate in interesting projects."

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