Test bench | Mercedes SL: a taste of summer

(Los Angeles) This car greets spring even more hastily than Fred the groundhog from Val-Espoir, in Gaspésie. Obviously, the escape in SL is not within the reach of many people. This is not a reason to refrain from dreaming of sunny days…

Eric LeFrancois
special collaboration

Respect for traditions

This year (again), convertibles shun the arrival of spring! Apart from Mercedes. The brand with the star is taking advantage of the return of fine weather to present the seventh generation of the most legendary of its models: the SL. Despite the ambient gloomy of this market segment, the Stuttgart firm refrains from abandoning this model which is now trying to recapture the greatness that was its in the 1950s.

The terraces fill up. Snow and ice liquefy. The roofs of the convertibles disappear. That’s all it takes to strike a chord with the convertible enthusiast. Alas, brand new ones are not running the streets. And for good reason, this segment once considered essential to the brand image is now sacrificed on the altar of profitability.

Mercedes, for its part, intends with the SL to perpetuate an old tradition of almost 70 years (see Technical sheet). This time, the work was entrusted to its sports branch (AMG) in Affalterbach with the aim of making it more efficient, but also more functional. In this regard, the SL staples all-wheel drive (four-wheel drive) to its underbody for the first time and arranges its cabin like a 2+2. An optimistic name invented by the manufacturers who claim to have four people on board when clearly only children, with their backbones, can pile up in the back, and this, over short distances.

Exclusive platform

This model has the privilege of introducing a brand new architecture intended, it is suggested, for its exclusive use. A luxury these days as the industry strives – for obvious cost and productivity reasons – to restrict the number of exclusive platforms.

Stiffer, more sophisticated and lighter (the usual refrain, what!), this platform coats the most recent advances of the brand under a bodywork that multiplies the nods to the past. Among these, let’s remember the return of the soft top. Indeed, the SL is now covered with a canvas rather than a complex and heavy retractable hard shell. A decision which notably made it possible to reduce the weight by 21 kg while lowering the center of gravity.

On the road, the SL makes you forget its almost two tons and connects the turns smoothly without its bow being reluctant to change course. The steering is precise, quick, and the assistance well balanced. All the electronic guardian angels are ready to intervene to maintain control of this Mercedes at all times, which, moreover, is extremely easy to drive and remarkably neutral.

Pugnacious and lively, the front axle fits into the curve with a lot of aplomb and the rear follows without problem thanks to the presence of steered rear wheels. The car demonstrates unfailing stability, even when the grip coefficient is reduced.

The suspension is firm without being uncomfortable, but this comment only applies if the vehicle is placed in “Comfort” mode.

The 4.0L V8 engine supercharged by two turbochargers is unleashed at the slightest touch of the right foot. Under the left foot, we reassure ourselves of a vigorous and resistant braking. The acceleration is terrible, but never appears abrupt or violent. On the other hand, the handling requires a solid stroke of the wheel when the most impulsive driving settings (Race and Master) are selected. It is in this area that the new SL differs the most from previous generations which were remarkable straight-line machines… Today’s SL is not just about driving. She loves being driven.

Serenity, even in the open

When the roof is removed, no turmoil or annoying aerodynamic noise disturbs the serenity that reigns in the cabin. Even at good speed, the driver and his passengers can carry on a conversation that must probably be about the superiority of the 5 wood over the 3 in the 16^and hole or on the best stock market investment strategy to adopt. Impeccably sculpted and planted low to the ground, the front seats offer an unobstructed view of the two huge screens (one 12.3 in, the other 11.9 in) which mask the graceful shapes of the dashboard.

But, in addition to the pleasure of the crossing and the caress of the wind, this convertible also applies to the acoustic joy triggered by the vocalizations of the V8. Especially under highway tunnels, where the reverberation almost gives goosebumps. This sound experience is part of folklore. For how much longer ? No one knows, but Mercedes management acknowledges that it is actively working on a hybrid powertrain, which will come under the hood “at a later date”. And a fully electric motorization? The leaders of the brand do not rule out the idea if the conditions (development of the dry battery?) are met.

The 2022 SLs will hit our streets in about 60 days. Are we counting the sleeps?

Hosting costs related to this report were paid for by Mercedes-Benz Canada.

Technical sheet

Motor

• Turbocharged 4.0L DOHC V8
• 577 hp between 5500 and 6500 rpm
• 590 lb-ft of torque between 2500 and 5000 rpm

Performance

• Weight: 1970 kg
• 0-100km/h: 3.6s
• Maximum speed: 315 km/h

Gearbox

• Standard: 9-speed automatic
• Optional: none
• Drive mode: all-wheel drive

Tires

Tank capacity, gasoline recommended

Consumption

Dimensions

• Wheelbase: 2700mm
• Length: 4705mm
• Height: 1353mm
• Width: 1915 mm (exterior mirrors excluded)

immortal letters

Six generations of SL are watching you. Present in the Mercedes-Benz catalog since the 1950s, the SL first saw the light of day in the form of a coupé intended for competition. The latter had among other singularities to be equipped with doors in butterfly wings (or seagull) which certainly contributed to its celebrity. The open-air version appeared a few years later at the insistence of the American Mercedes importer. The latter persuaded the leaders of the firm with the star to produce a road and convertible version of the SL.

The original

The SL (1955-1963) raised its (long) bonnet to four- and six-cylinder mechanics. The 300 SL was powered by an inline six-cylinder engine, while the 190 SL retained the services of a 1.9L four-cylinder. retailed for $3,998 and $6,895 respectively. Looking back, the 300 SL was by far the best deal since on the collector’s market it is worth some $400,000, compared to $110,000 for the 190 SL.