Mercedes-Benz SL500 2012 review: road test

The Mercedes-Benz SL name is synonymous with sports cars and has been since the the middle of last century.

Benz has cranked out a succession of delectable, low-slung, two-door, two-seaters bearing the famous nomenclature and now, there's a new one that takes SL to a new level.

The body 

This time around it's built entirely from aluminium except for the two steel A pillars either side of the windscreen. It cuts SL's weight by 140kg compared to the previous model and boosts safety and reduces noise, vibration and harshness.

Explore the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class range

• Mercedes-Benz SL500 2012 review
• Mercedes-Benz SL500 2012 review: road test

Not only that, high-tech 3D design makes the new SL more rigid and therefore safer and more dynamically responsive than ever and aerodynamically it rates an impressive 0.27Cd. Benz says the new SL is the safest car in its class due in part to flow down technology from the S-Class range.

Inside

The interior gets the full leather high tech benz treatment with one of the best sounding audio systems we've heard — even with the roof off. Internet access is provided in-car through the large info screen.

Under the bonnet 

It's powered by a range of so-called BlueDIRECT engines with Eco Stop/Start offering more power, more performance and lower fuel consumption and emissions. Our SL500 test car ran a 4.7-litre, direct injection, twin-turbo V8 good for 320kW/700Nm driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission complete with blip function on the downchange.

Technology 

There's clever technology too like the "frontbass" audio system that utilises apertures in the firewall to mount a pair of sub-woofer speakers for maximum effect. There's also "magic vision" control which adaptively helps clean the screen with banks of small water jets on each wiper. Hands free boot access makes an appearance as does the optional Magic Sky sunroof with variable tint.

Style

It has the requisite body looks that owes plenty to the smaller SLK and, like its smaller sibling, the SL is all about driving fun coupled with everyday useability. It is a car designed as much for local errands as it is for high speed, long distance applications.

On the road

We had the opportunity last week to drive the new SL500 in Spain at the international launch and thoroughly enjoyed the open-top, wind in your hair experience — who wouldn't. Right away the new car's lighter weight is evident in the SL's behaviour. It doesn't feel big and cumbersome like the previous model.

Still, at 1785kg it's no lightweight. Part of the sporty feel is attributable to the SL's direct steering and more to its new suspension, optionable to sophisticated Active Body Control but unnecessary we think. Quantifying the SL500's sporty prowess is a 0-100kmh sprint time of a mere 4.6 seconds.

It has super sharp steering response and with the dynamics dialled up to Sport, the drive feel is "fully connected." Other aspects of the car's dynamics are impressive — the monstrous brakes, the wide, grippy tyres, the taut ride control, the rock solid chassis — all contributing to the car's sporty capabilities.

Safety 

It's safe too with a swag of active and passive systems to either help avoid a collision or mitigate injury. Attention Assist, Adaptive Brakes, Pre-Safe and Distronic Plus (radar cruise control) are all part of the package.