It is believed that many centuries ago, revered Christian heroes were granted a measure of favor or grace by God himself. This gift of grace was known as khárisma. The Mercedes-Benz SL has, historically, also been bestowed with favor and now 60 years since the first one was crafted, I have been blessed by Mercedes with the all-new SL500.
The SL is the eldest brother in the range of Mercedes roadsters. It fits in between the big daddy SLS and the younger, smaller SLK range. From some angles, the new SL may appear somewhat awkward compared to its predecessor, and this is largely because of the sheer size of it. It’s bigger in length and width than the previous SL, thanks to the increased interior space to fit golf clubs or luggage.
The new Mercedes-Benz SL500 has a body shell made almost entirely from aluminum, with the exception of the trademark hardtop folding Vario roof, which is made from magnesium. The result is a car that weighs 140kg less than its older counterpart. So Mercedes have added more girth but reduced the weight.
They’ve used the same equation with the engine: The old SL500 used a 5.5l V8 and yet this new car is powered by a 4.7l V8 biturbo unit capable of producing an enormous 700Nm of torque and 320kW of power. This power doesn’t come at the price of efficiency, however, as the SL500 is claimed to do 9.2l/100km on the combined cycle. Hugely impressive, though I can’t claim to have come close to this figure.
The acoustic appointments, courtesy of Bang & Olufsen, are definitely worth mentioning. The surround sound, 12-speaker system transforms the car into a concert hall worthy of a Hans Zimmer orchestra. It’s an astounding option, worth every penny of the system’s R57,350 ($6,350) asking price.
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The cutting-edge technology continues with all we’ve come to expect from Mercedes-Benz: fatigue detection systems; intelligent cruise control; active body control; adaptive lights and blind spot assistance systems. These are all available on most other Mercedes, but a first in this SL is an innovative way to clean your windscreen. They call it ‘Magic Vision Control’ and it supplies windscreen washer fluid through the windscreen wipers instead of through the normal spray system. The idea is to distract the driver as little as possible when cleaning the windscreen as well as to prevent the not-very-luxurious experience of water spraying onto the occupants when the roof is down.
Of course, the major talking point of this luxury roadster is the Vario roof that retracts in about 14 seconds.Even the roof down, the cabin remains comfortably quiet—even more so with the electric draught-stop engaged. Driving with the top down is the best way to truly understand the SL500’s character. It is here that you get to understand the flexibility of the engine, drivetrain and gearbox in comfort or sport mode, none of which compromise on ride quality.
This car’s ability to effortlessly cruise in supreme comfort is astounding, as is its agility when you command that power to the road. I loved the mesmerizing midrange grunt of that biturbo as I put the SL through its paces along the many meandering corners leading to Magaliesberg in the North West Province of South Africa. I also loved the touring nature of the car; cruising with effortless comfort and poise, eating up the kilometers.
It’s an astonishing car to drive. While this incredible engine and chassis do their work, you are nestled in place by the active seats that grip you through the corners. The massage functions keep your blood flow balanced and relaxed while the Airscarf whispers warm air into the nape of your neck. Additional symphonic entertainment is provided courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Signature Sound CD that allows you to truly experience the power of music. The experience gave me goose bumps.
The entry-level Mercedes-Benz SL500 retails in South Africa for R1,681,000 ($186,200)—a substantial price tag no matter what you’re in the market for. Your other considerations may be the likes of the Jaguar XKR or the likes of the Maserati GranTurismo Coupe but both these models are older than the SL and don’t offer as much in the way of technology and luxury refinement.
The Mercedes-Benz SL500 is not the purist sports car that its SL nomenclature might suggest. It is certainly light and sporty, but its success is, and will continue to be, the fact that it’s a car you can live with every day. It’s an expensive car that makes complete sense.
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