The Mercedes Benz SL-Class Roadster is family to the SL luxury roadster, despite the fact that the first SL model was not a roadster. The SL models have had their own fair share of market influence due to the long period of time the car maker, Mercedes Benz waited to release subsequent models after each model. The history of the SL goes back to the 1950s when the 190SL hit the market and in the early 1960s. It has generally been taken that most models in the SL line had a decade of market influence before subsequent models were released.

The first SL model has a history that dates back to the 1950s and was offered to the market as a coupe which ran for the period 1954 to 1957. This model ran on a 3.0 liter SOHC engine. The first 300SL delivered 175 horsepower, which is greater than some modern cars on the market, yet it’s now half a century after the 300SL was manufactured, showing how ahead Mercedes Benz has always been, having quickly recovered from the misfortunes of the World War II. The car manufacture commenced manufacture by end of 1942. The second model which was the 300SL Roadster was released to the market in 1958 and ran for the period ending 1963, after which the Pagoda SL was released in 1963. The 300SL roadster was released at the same time as the 190SL which overlapped release to the market. The 230SL was much more luxurious than the 190SL and yet less expensive than the 300SL. It was the first SL to be released with the aircon and coming with an automatic transmission. Between the years 1972 to 1989, Mercedes released an SL version with a V8 engine which was code named “R107” and was also known as the “der Panzerwagen” due to the fact that it weighed about 136kgs more than the Pagoda. Then the year 1990 saw the release of a much more masculine SL model which ran up to the year 2002. Form the year 2004, Mercedes Benz has provided the current model SL roadster.

The current model SL Roadster is known as the R230; inside Mercedes Benz; and comes with a hardtop similar to the SLK’s. This model in the SL Roadster line is made available to the market with the V8 and V12 engines. The SL Roadster was launched in one model; the SL500 which had the power delivery of 302 horsepower using a 5.0 liter, 32 valve DOHC V8 engine. Coming on the package of the list of features that came with the Mercedes Benz SL500 were all modern features fathomable by man and found on all Mercedes Benz models. Features notable included the airbags for the head and thorax protection; Active Body Control (ABC); Sensotronic electronic braking control and Distronic radar-controlled cruise control. Mercedes Benz then released the SL 600 and SL 55 AMG in the same year 2004. The S600 now used a bigger 5.5 L engine and delivers 483 horsepower, adding more power to the S500 model. The 483 horsepower can be attributed to the 4.5 seconds speed record to top 96km/hr from zero, by the two SL models.

The SL-Class Roadster is one of the most recognizable automotive icons of the last half century. The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has been known for years now for its elegance and performance in the grand touring coupe or roadster segments. The current Mercedes-Benz SL-Class luxury roadster is a rear-drive, like all models in the product line. The line up consists of models such as the SL550 which delivers 382 horsepower from a 5.5 L, V8 engine; and the SL63 AMG which reaches 518 horsepower from the 6.2 L, V8 engine. The SL 65AMG is most spectacular, having the capacity to reach the 96km/hr mark in just 3.9 seconds. This can be justified by the V12 engine, delivering an amazing 604 horsepower. Other features notable on the SL-Class Roadster are the Active Body Control which keeps the car solid on the ground when cruising at those high speeds; the COMAND interface which uses a dash-mounted multi-direction button pad rather than the more ergonomic console-mounted knob of newer Benzes.

The instrumentation on the SL600 is quite wonderful, taking on a clock, a tachometer, trip computer, external temperature display, low fuel level warning and compass. For the convenience of both drivers and passengers are features such as the cruise control, cargo net, front console with storage, front cupholders, front door pockets, remote trunk release, retained accessory power, speed-proportional power steering, universal remote transmitter, 12V front power outlet(s), tilt and telescopic steering wheel and audio controls on steering wheel.

The telematics and entertainment portfolio of the SL-Class Roadster are also very gracious, boasting of entertainment features that include the bose premium brand speakers, 8 speakers in total, AM/FM in dash single CD player, Sirius satellite radio, speed sensitive volume control, 1 subwoofer and 5.1 surround audio system; while the telematics list comprises of the DVD based display w/voice directions navigation system, pre-wired for phone and TeleAid telecommunications service.

This car is phenomenal in all respects. It provides comfort and performance fully; and neither is it lacking when it comes to looks. Owning one means being at the top of the latest technology and mechanics in motoring today.