Vehicle Overview Revisions to Mercedes-Benz’s SL-Class retractable-hardtop roadster last year included more engine power, slight changes to the exterior and interior styling, and chassis improvements. The sports car competes with the Cadillac XLR and Jaguar XK convertible. Little has changed for 2008.
Exterior The SL-Class’ modest exterior styling updates last year included a modified grille, chrome-rimmed fog lights and new taillamps. The car’s retractable hardtop — one of its signature elements — can transform the car from coupe to roadster in 16 seconds.
The SL-Class has Mercedes-Benz’s Active Body Control adaptive suspension, and the SL55 AMG and SL65 AMG performance variants have high-performance brakes. For 2008, the SL550 gets newly styled 18-inch wheels.
Interior The SL-Class’ two-person cockpit carries over relatively unchanged. Leather and wood trim are used, and the power-adjustable seats are heated. Standard features include a navigation system, Bose sound system and dual-zone automatic air conditioning. The SL55 AMG and SL65 AMG include carbon-fiber trim, and the AMG steering wheel adds aluminum shift paddles.
Interior The SL-Class’ two-person cockpit carries over relatively unchanged. Leather and wood trim are used, and the power-adjustable seats are heated. Standard features include a navigation system, Bose sound system and dual-zone automatic air conditioning. The SL55 AMG and SL65 AMG include carbon-fiber trim, and the AMG steering wheel adds aluminum shift paddles.
Under the Hood Powered by a 382-horsepower, 5.5-liter V-8 that drives the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission, the SL550 can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in a claimed 5.4 seconds.
Both the SL55 AMG’s supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 and the SL600’s twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-12 make 510 hp. These engines — along with the SL65 AMG’s 604-hp, twin-turbo 6.0-liter V-12 — all drive a five-speed automatic transmission.
Safety The SL-Class’ safety features include standard all-disc antilock brakes, an electronic stability system, side-impact airbags, a driver’s side knee airbag, a popup roll bar and active head restraints.
