What We Like
What a looker!
Handles itself well around corners
Comfortable cruiser
Ample power on tap
Respectable boot space for a drop-top
What We Dislike
A tad pricey at $459,888
Lacks steering feedback
The Mercedes-Benz SL has been around since 1954 when the 300SL, one of the most beautiful cars featuring gullwing doors, was first introduced. Fast forward six decades and six generations later and we have with us the SL400 - a two-seater drop-top car that hasn't lost its beauty.
No more gullwing?
It's not such a bad thing, really. Yes, the gullwing doors are a thing of a past. The 300SL, in a coupe form, was the only model in the SL lineup to feature such doors (the SLS AMG also featured the iconic gullwing doors). Since the 300SL Roadster saw daylight sometime in 1956/57, the iconic and ageless door design stopped.
Still, door opening designs and styles aside, the SL400 manages to stop hearts and feet wherever it goes, as we experienced during our time with the car. Casual observers and clueless pedestrians stopping in their paths just to take a picture of the car clearly go to show just how much of a head-turner this car really is.
Of course the 300SL is arguably one of the nicest and most ageless cars, but you and I both will have to accept and understand that evolution of cars does not necessarily bring out the best in car designs.
Does that mean the SL400 is ugly?
That's not what we mean. Not one bit, actually. The SL400 that you see here is attractively presented, with an intricately detailed sheet metal that will melt even the hardest of hearts. While the predecessor did look a little awkward to our eyes, the current generation SL is a lot sleeker and cohesive, particularly at the front.
Featuring a three-piece folding hard top, the SL400 will lose its top in a matter of seconds and up to speeds of 40km/h. And regardless in its coupe or roadster guise, the SL400 remains to be an everyday car, with a boot space of 485 litres with the roof in place and 345 litres with the roof tucked into the boot, thanks to a new electronic trunk separator.
No more gullwing?
It's not such a bad thing, really. Yes, the gullwing doors are a thing of a past. The 300SL, in a coupe form, was the only model in the SL lineup to feature such doors (the SLS AMG also featured the iconic gullwing doors). Since the 300SL Roadster saw daylight sometime in 1956/57, the iconic and ageless door design stopped.
Still, door opening designs and styles aside, the SL400 manages to stop hearts and feet wherever it goes, as we experienced during our time with the car. Casual observers and clueless pedestrians stopping in their paths just to take a picture of the car clearly go to show just how much of a head-turner this car really is.
Of course the 300SL is arguably one of the nicest and most ageless cars, but you and I both will have to accept and understand that evolution of cars does not necessarily bring out the best in car designs.
Does that mean the SL400 is ugly?
That's not what we mean. Not one bit, actually. The SL400 that you see here is attractively presented, with an intricately detailed sheet metal that will melt even the hardest of hearts. While the predecessor did look a little awkward to our eyes, the current generation SL is a lot sleeker and cohesive, particularly at the front.
Featuring a three-piece folding hard top, the SL400 will lose its top in a matter of seconds and up to speeds of 40km/h. And regardless in its coupe or roadster guise, the SL400 remains to be an everyday car, with a boot space of 485 litres with the roof in place and 345 litres with the roof tucked into the boot, thanks to a new electronic trunk separator.
More cruising less bruising
Paired with a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic gearbox, the 3.0-litre V6 puts out a decent 328bhp and 480Nm of twisting force to the rear wheels. But despite such high performing figures that can compete with the Porsche 911 Cabriolet and the Jaguar F-TYPE, the SL isn't made for a tarmac burning experience that will leave you shaken to your core.
Instead, it's designed for the worry-free driver who enjoys the the sun on his skin and wind in his hair.
That doesn't mean the SL400 is slow by any means. Despite its weight of over 1.7 tonnes, the car is capable of serious pace in any situations. Sporting compact dimensions also make it easy to dart in and out of heavy traffic with absolute ease.
The setback here we experienced is the lack of feedback from the light steering as well as its evident comfort-biased setup, even in Sport mode, which take away the roadster delight that some of its sportier peers offer. Still, the Merc responds religiously and quickly to directional changes, and has the capability of cornering with a respectable degree of accuracy.
I feel the need - the need for speed!
With everyday usable trunk space, generous power on tap and handsome good looks that give it ample road presence, the Mercedes-Benz SL is undoubtedly a well-rounded and desirable car. While many may argue that the Merc is a lost soul that walks the line between a full-fledge sports car and a luxurious grand tourer, we don't see it as a bad thing.
More often than not, straddling between two different kinds of car doesn't mean it's a lost soul. Rather, it gives drivers the chance to enjoy the best of both worlds.
The SL400 may cruise more than bruise but at least you know you can do it with style and speed. That's something you can’t say for a lot of cars today.
Paired with a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic gearbox, the 3.0-litre V6 puts out a decent 328bhp and 480Nm of twisting force to the rear wheels. But despite such high performing figures that can compete with the Porsche 911 Cabriolet and the Jaguar F-TYPE, the SL isn't made for a tarmac burning experience that will leave you shaken to your core.
Instead, it's designed for the worry-free driver who enjoys the the sun on his skin and wind in his hair.
That doesn't mean the SL400 is slow by any means. Despite its weight of over 1.7 tonnes, the car is capable of serious pace in any situations. Sporting compact dimensions also make it easy to dart in and out of heavy traffic with absolute ease.
The setback here we experienced is the lack of feedback from the light steering as well as its evident comfort-biased setup, even in Sport mode, which take away the roadster delight that some of its sportier peers offer. Still, the Merc responds religiously and quickly to directional changes, and has the capability of cornering with a respectable degree of accuracy.
I feel the need - the need for speed!
With everyday usable trunk space, generous power on tap and handsome good looks that give it ample road presence, the Mercedes-Benz SL is undoubtedly a well-rounded and desirable car. While many may argue that the Merc is a lost soul that walks the line between a full-fledge sports car and a luxurious grand tourer, we don't see it as a bad thing.
More often than not, straddling between two different kinds of car doesn't mean it's a lost soul. Rather, it gives drivers the chance to enjoy the best of both worlds.
The SL400 may cruise more than bruise but at least you know you can do it with style and speed. That's something you can’t say for a lot of cars today.
