Mercedes introduced SL (sportlich-leicht) series of cars in 1954 with the first one being the iconic 300 SL, the original ‘gullwing’. To the Indian audience though, the car will be more familiar as the open top drive that accompanied Aamir Khan in Dil Chahta Hai. It was a fourth-generation SL (R129). Then in 2011 the latest iteration of the SL was introduced and is now back in the news because of its updated appearance.
The SL-Class is a typical roadster with a long hood, a swept back windscreen and an open top. It gets the updated Mercedes family face, a pretty diamond grille and twin pod LED headlamps.
The breathing slits on the sides and the slightly flared wheel arches that house the large multi-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels give the grand tourer a muscular look.
Do not worry if it rains, you can pull the convertible hard top up by toggling the switch. And if it is getting too dark inside, you can always let the magic roof throw in some sunlight.
On the inside too it is a modern Mercedes. Round air-con vents, an infotainment system with a display screen, two-tone bright interiors and a flat bottom sporty steering wheel.
If it is an AMG – the engine will be a 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 engine churning out 530hp of power if it is a SL63 and the mighty 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol mill developing 630bhp of power and 1000Nm of torque for the SL65.
With the roof up, you get 500litres of boot space while if you want to go top-down, you get just over 350litre to carry your cross-country tour luggage.
