Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

The venerable Mercedes-Benz SL-Class luxury roadster has been graded as one of the most fascinating and coveted cars in the world. The 2007 SL is the fifth generation from the royal racy SL-Class family.

The 2007 SL has revamped its interior and exterior styling, without loosing its mystique and excels in all the same ways as its predecessors. The new generation offers a sophisticated design, groundbreaking technology, exceptional comfort, and immense driving pleasure.

The interior flashes with its new seats with silver-colored contrast stitching and perforated leather. The exterior updates for 2007 is the new radiator grille, new front bumper, and 17" light-alloy wheels with the new 5-spoke styling. The muscular rear-end features brand new tail lights which visually enhance the overall SL-Class styling.

The all new SL-Class comes in two varieties: SL 350 and SL 500. The engine line-up, driveline, and suspension are all tuned for a cool and sportier performance. For 2007, the SL line features a 3.0L V6 engine that comes standard with the SL 350 and a 5.5L V8 engine that comes standard with the SL 500. The improvised SL-Class is the latest model series to feature the new generation of V8 petrol engines.

The chief facelift in the power unit is the 7G-TRONIC Sport 7-speed automatic transmission. The Mercedes group claims 7G-TRONIC Sport as the only passenger car transmission of its type in the world. This new high tech transmission also comes with steering-wheel shift paddles in both the SL 350 and the SL 500 variants. Together with the multifunction steering wheel, the paddles allow drivers to shift through the seven gears on a single stretch, just like in a racing car.

The 3.0L V6 six-cylinder roadster generates 268 bhp and a high torque of 350 Nm. The SL 350 accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers in 6.6 seconds. With increased displacement, output and torque, the new 5.5L V8 eight-cylinder roadster delivers 382 bhp and a torque of 530 Nm. The SL 500 accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers in 5.4 seconds.

The SL model comes with a racy 4-link front suspension with Active Body Control and an MB-Multi-link rear suspension. The brakes are more powerful due to the new Sensotronic Brake Controls.

The designers have amplified the level of interior and exterior luxury for this SL generation. The SL-Class is termed as a 'Coupe to Roadster in 16 seconds'. According to the Mercedes group, to convert the SL from its Coupe design to its Roadster design just takes 16 seconds in which time the electro hydraulically operated Vario roof folds into the rear of the SL.

The advanced equipment package from the Mercedes-Benz gives the two-seater an even sportier, individualized look with a host of refined appointments both inside and out. The new exterior pushes visually forward; featuring the new-look radiator grille, newly designed front bumper with two additional openings, and new light-alloy wheels. Instead of four thicker louvers, the new venerable grille is now more compact with three. The bumper holds two additional openings, an accentuated black protective grille, and integrated fog lamps.

Inside, the face-lifted Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has grown even more beautified with redesigned silver-colored contrast stitching on the seats and doorsills, higher-quality dashboard materials, and new leather treatments. New, softer leather is used on the rear of the model, and new high-grade velour floor mats have also been added. In short, the new sports SL-Class offers its customers an enticing way of further enhancing and personalizing this legendary dream car. However, the Navigational system is found wanting.

The major standard safety features are side airbags, a pop-up roll bar, Active Body Control, and a TeleAid emergency communications system. The Anti lock Braking System with Brake Assists is also standard.