Vehicle: 2009 Mercedes SL600 with AMG Sports Pkg and Distronic
Price as tested: CDN$181100
Performance: As one expects from a Mercedes SL, there are a variety of engines to choose from. Ranging from the SL550 with 5.5 liter V8 to the astounishing SL65 with twin-turbocharged V12 engine. Our tester sits in the middle. As it comes with a V12, which is expected with the SL600 designation. What makes it different than the V12 in SL65 is this motor isn’t hand-made by AMG. It isn’t a “one man one engine” AMG V12 as the one in SL65. Even though its not an AMG, it doesn’t mean this SL600 is slug. It is everything but as its 6.0 liter V12 biturbo engine makes a wonderful 610 horses and a whooping 612 lb/ft of torque. This beast can easily spin-off the wheels when accelerating off-the-line due to the amount of power has to gone through. Despite its SOHC instead of DOHC, its equally impressive at the bottom end as the top end. And the most impressive thing is. This able engine spools up like tomorrow without those annoying turbo lag. That’s except its not as willing and eager as SL65 at the top end of the rev range even if it has 7 ponies advantage. With 0 to 100 km/h is just over 4 seconds, SL600 is simply a monster. The throttle response is smooth and quick, with the usual Mercedes firm tip-in. Matched with this engine is the 5-speed manumatic. Why Mercedes refused to put in their excellent 7-Gronic 7-speed maunmatic is because they haven’t engineered one that is able to withstand such horses. The gear ratios matched perfectly with this very powertrain. The shifts are as smooth as mirrors, while gear ratios are tall enough for highway cruising at 4th and 5th. On the other hand, the lower gears are low enough for good acceleration while eliminating wheelspin. Mercedes is also smart enough to design paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The paddle shifters are good enough to let you forget about driving on “D” when driving on black-top twisties.
Handling: While SL’s status-of-life is usually surrounds its grand touring capability, its driving dynamics is a delightful surprise given its weight is close to 4700 lb in this SL600. The ride quality has to be amazing as one expects from a Mercedes. It absorbs every bits of roughness pavement and patholes like nothing else on the road, without losing the composure and suppleness usually associates with Mercedes suspension. On the other hand, the steering is precise and have plenty of feedback. Mercedes’s typical numb off-center feel on highway speed remains intact even in flagship SL. The steering ratio is fast without feeling twitchy. Combined the ultra-stiff chassis with great ride comfort and steering, its hard to leftover its stability control system. We still found SL600′s stability control more instrusive than its AMG silibings. It tends to step in too early even before a driver encounter any under or oversteer. With its instrusive stability control, any driver can’t make this SL rears its ugly heads. For enthuisasts, it lacks some fun we usually expects from a rear driver with nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution. The body rolls are minimal thanks to its nifty active body control.
Brakes: Despite of its 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, SL’s standard SBC or Sensotronic Braking Control, still has that unusual braking feel. What we meant unusual is driver has to step a lot harder to nil the pedal before it stops completely. The lack of braking feel and modulation have made driver has to find the initial bite. Its a system that needs to get used to. Mercedes should go back to hydraulic instead of using electrohydraulic system. On the other hand, the stopping distance is short and braking distance excellent.
Interior: Inside the SL, its everything you expect from a roadster costing nearly 200 grand. All the materials and fit-and-finish are first-rate. With our AMG sports package, the 3-spoke steering wheel provides great grip for hands. The leather seats have excellent bolsters for black-top twisties and enough firmness for pure cruising.
Conclusion: The Mercedes SL has always been judged as the world’s finest car ever made. With the latest revision to the already great car, Mercedes continues to set the standards for others to judge when it comes to building a comfortable grand tourer. The improvement to SL’s driving dynamics are welcome as competitions are closing in with being more grand touring.
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2009 Mercedes SL600
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.75/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 3/5
Value-for-money: 3/5
Overall rating: 4/5