Through Ian's Lens: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550

The SL-Class fills a niche as the visual missing link between the off-the-charts high-end SLR McLaren and pretty much everything else Mercedes makes. The SL matches the SLR’s sleek, subtle design with its own shark-gill intakes and roaring exhaust, but it doesn’t break any new ground with its looks. The more I think about it, it’s the SL’s anonymous appearance that I most enjoy about the car. Obviously it’s a Mercedes, but without a second glance, the SL can be easily mistaken for any other Mercedes-Benz roadster/convertible — most likely the SLK-Class, and that’s fine with me.

No one needs to know how much it costs or how fast it goes. The SL is in a class of autos that look nice but aren’t over-the-top, sophisticated but not gaudy, intelligent without being arrogant. The look and feel can be described in one word: smooth.

Let me know what you think in the comments section below. As always, feel free to use the full-screen mode on the photo browser.