2005 Mercedes Benz SL-Class Review

The Mercedes-Benz SL offers major-league performance and luxury. It's one of the most beautiful cars sold today. Slide into the cockpit, belt up, press the button on the console and 16 seconds later the power-retractable roof switches the SL from the quiet comfort of a luxury coupe to the open-air fun of a roadster. The seats are comfortable and the interior is luxurious.

Each new year seems to bring a more powerful and exotic variation of this sinuous, sensuous roadster. The current range debuted as the 2003 SL500, powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine. The magnificent twin-turbo, twelve-cylinder SL600 followed for 2004, along with the high-performance supercharged V8 SL55 AMG. Now comes the mightiest SL yet: The 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG with an aggressively turbocharged V12 that develops 604 whopping horsepower and a mountainous 738 pound-feet of torque.

In addition to power, every SL is packed with leading-edge technology to keep it safe and controllable. Every SL comes standard with traction control, electronic stability control, electronic brake distribution and brake assist. The electronically controlled ABC active suspension greatly reduces the roll and pitch for improved grip. We've driven various SL models at Hockenheim (a race track in Germany), at Road America (a road racing circuit in Wisconson), at Milan Dragway in Michigan, and for hundreds of road miles, and we are continually amazed at their graceful high-speed behavior and race-level performance.

The Mercedes-Benz SL is surely one of the most beautiful cars produced today. From the jutting chin of its front bumper to its four-eyed headlamps; from its racy front fender air intakes to the sexy shoulders over its rear tires, the SL is not only the style leader for Mercedes-Benz, but for the entire high-performance roadster segment.

Since 1957, when the iconic Gullwing Coupe was replaced by a new 300SL Roadster, the flagship two-seater Mercedes has been completely re-engineered only four times. The company says that the current SL pays homage to its 50-year history while offering a new interpretation of roadster excitement. The air inlets in the front fenders are inspired by the original 300SL of 1954, with narrow, wing-like chrome gills echoed in the hood. The four-eye headlamp pattern has the two lamps on each side melding into one another. They represent the latest in lighting technology with a circular Fresnel lens that concentrates the light emitted by the standard xenon low beams.

From the side, the rising beltline contributes to the car's rake, and continues the wedge theme established by the 350SL in 1972. At the rear, the triangular taillights use 27 LED bulbs designed to illuminate more quickly.

The SL65 AMG is distinguished from other current SLs by its large below-the-bumper air intake, sculpted side skirts, 19-inch AMG wheels, and "V12 Biturbo" lettering on its front fenders.