2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

The Mercedes Benz SL 550 Rroadster comes in a single configuration with a standard 4.7L engine with 8-cylinders and is Twin Turbocharged. It is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission and comes only in a rear wheel drive. The convertible comes with a power retractable hardtop that takes under 20 seconds to either fully fold or raise.

Offering a range of features in the sole trim, the SL 550 also comes with luxurious interiors along with leather seats and quality materials used in the cabin. Given below are some of the list of features offered in the hardtop 2-seater.

Trim	Mercedes Benz SL 550 Roadster
MSRP	$89,150
Key Features	3-spoke multifunction sport steering wheel
	Airscarf neck-level heater
	Heated 16-way power seats with memory
	Brushed aluminum pedals
	Dual-zone climate control
	Infrared-remote window and hardtop operation
	SiriusXM Radio with 6-month All Access trial
	Brake HOLD feature
	Sun-reflecting leather upholstery
	Harman/kardon LOGIC7 sound system

 

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For a single trim, the SL 550 pretty much gets everything right. It offers abundant list of features and safety tech alongside a robust performance, and should be enough to meet most, if not, all of your wants and needs.

"The 2020 SL-Class rides like a cruise ship but can be made into a speedboat-for a price." -thecarconnection

The new SL 550 comes with an unchanged but sturdy 4.7L V8 Twin Turbo engine mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Together, the powertrain churns out a power hungry 449 horsepower and a zappy 516 pound feet of torque. Driving the rear wheels of the hardtop, the SL 550 has a swift performer under its hood while the sound of its 8-cylinders is much better compared to its younger sibling, the SL 450. Its transmission is smooth and refined, however tweak up the driving mode to Sport+ mode and you'd drive a firm, mean athletic convertible right under your control.

Its rivals sit with interesting numbers scattered around; the most powerful crown goes to the Chevrolet Corvette followed by the Jaguar F-Type. The SL 550 is placed as the least powerful amongst the competition.

Models	Mercedes Benz SL 550 Roadster	Jaguar F Type SVR convertible	Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet	Corvette ZR1 1ZR Convertible
MSRP	$113,550	$126,845	$133,000	$125,400
Engine	4.7L V8 Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded	5.0L V8 Intercooled Supercharger Premium Unleaded	Turbocharged 3.0L H-6	LT5 supercharged V8
Transmission	9-speed automatic	8 Speed automatic	7 speed manual	7-speed M/T
Horsepower	449 hp @ 5500 rpm	575 hp@ 6500rpm	450 hp @ 6500 rpm	755 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque	516 ft-lbs @ 1800 rpm	516 ft-lbs@ 3500rpm	405 @ 2150 rpm	715 hp @ 360000 rpm

 

Acceleration

Sitting under the hood of the convertible, its powertrain punches mighty numbers. Taking 4.1s from naught to 60 mph, the SL 550 is proven to be a rapidly quick convertible. In the quarter mile drag test, it zips the tarmac in 12.5s. Amongst its rivals, the SL 550 once again is in the backend of the competition, while the ZR1 takes the quickest among the rivals.

Models	Mercedes Benz SL 550 Roadster	Jaguar F Type SVR convertible	Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet	Corvette ZR1 1ZR Convertible
0-60 MPH	4.1 sec	3.5 sec	3.9 sec	3.1
Quarter mile	12.5	N/A	12.3 sec	10.94
Engine	4.7L V8 Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded	5.0L V8 Intercooled Supercharger Premium Unleaded	Turbocharged 3.0L H-6	LT5 supercharged V8
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	N/A	N/A	NA	N/A

 

Handling and Braking

Like the SL 450 is a fun and zippy handling machine, the SL 550 inspires confidence and feels spirited. Albeit not as nimble as the Porsche 911, it is still a comfortable and athletic 2-door roadster. Its suspension soaks any bumps and potholes, and glides over tarmac with butter refinement. The SL's Active Body Control System controls the otherwise excess body roll in this convertible and you'd feel it countering the movement you'd experience when taking a sharp turn. The major drawback in the hardtop is its lack of road feedback.

Kitted with 14" and 12" disc brakes on the convertible, the hardtop performs just as great as its powertrain on the brake front. It functions powerfully and feels stable, while its pedals restrict any feel of mushiness.

Model	Mercedes Benz SL 550 Roadster	Jaguar F Type SVR convertible	Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet	Corvette ZR1 1ZR Convertible
Brake Front (in.)	14.2	15	13.8	15.5
Brake Rear (in.)	12.6	14.8	13	15.3
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3959	3792	3351	3618
60-0 MPH (ft.)	N/A	N/A	NA	N/A

 

Figures such as 17 mpg in the city while 25 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg combined translate to a mediocre fuel consumption by the SL 550. The V8 underneath the roadster is a tad better than the F-Type but falls short of the Porsche 911. The other 8-cylinder. Corvette ZR1, will take you regularly to the gas station.

Model	Mercedes Benz SL 550 Roadster	Jaguar F Type SVR convertible	Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet	Corvette ZR1 1ZR Convertible
MPG (city)	17	16	18	19
MPG (highway)	25	24	26	13
MPG (combined)	20	18	21	15
Range (miles) (city/highway)	N/A	296/444	N/A	N/A
Tank Capacity (gal)	19.8	18.5	16.9	18.5

"Some people may argue that, with five years since the last redesign, the SL's cabin doesn't look as modern as those of some rivals. Whether you agree with that or not, there's no denying that the SL's interior is incredibly upscale and features an abundance of top-notch materials." -cars.usnews

An abundance of luxury around the cabin, Mercedes is one marquee which sure knows how to build a crown jewel at its asking price. Comfortable and posh, the seating arrangement in the roadster are restricted to only two passengers. Leather seats are plush and feel rich, while the trim around the interior is made of high quality materials.

Once you step inside the convertible, the car is a serene cruiser for you to sit back and enjoy the pleasant ride and opulence. Mercedes has done a commendable job in building the cabin with spot-on noise isolation. Space inside the SL 550's interior is not something you'd find but the seats are wide and fitting to most passengers.

Model	Mercedes Benz SL 550 Roadster	Jaguar F Type SVR convertible	Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet	Corvette ZR1 1ZR Convertible
Passenger capacity	2	2	4	2
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.1/55.5/42.9	37.0/56.5/43.0	-	37.9/55.2/43
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	-	-	-	-

 

Interior features

The interior features on the SL 550 include -

• Ventilated seats with active side bolsters
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• COMAND infotainments system
• Power-adjustable heated seats
• Leather upholstery
• Power windblocker

Infotainment System

The infotainment system in the Mercedes Benz SL 550 is the manufacturer's COMAND system fitted with 7" screen with console-mounted control knob. It is easily operable, has intuitive experience, and comes with a host of advanced features kitted with it. Some list of features included in the system are-

• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• Dual USB audio ports
• COMAND navigation
• Voice control
• COMAND system with central controller
• No-charge navigation map updates for 3 years

Cargo Volume

The Silver Arrow uses up a chunk of space to fit the big V8 and the power retractable roof top. Even still, the roadster houses 8.5 cubic feet of space with the roof down in the cargo, which is a decent task. When the roof is not folded, the SL 550 can hold 13.5 cubic feet of space. The rivals have similar capacity with the Jaguar at the lowest holding 7.3 cubic feet, but the Mercedes relatively sits at the top, with the Corvette ZR1 housing 10 cubic feet.

Model	Mercedes Benz SL 550 Roadster	Jaguar F Type SVR convertible	Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet	Corvette ZR1 1ZR Convertible
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	8.5	7.3	9.7	10

"The SL-Class certainly feels like a $100,000 car, but one that is becoming more dated as other models' tech and features catch up." -thecarconnection

Unchanged from the previous two iterations, the SL 550 has begun to borderline mundane as each new model is released. While having seen a facelift in 2017, the Silver Arrow has gotten better looking rivals in the field. Take the Jaguar for instance, which has a mean English snob yet athletic and exotic aesthetic, while the Porsche 911 still has the curves to charm. That is not to say the SL convertible is any bad a design; no sir, it still looks beautifully crafted with diamond- grille and sports car styling.

The long sleek profile houses an AMG branded 19" 5-spoked wheels with a power-retractable rooftop. Siting merely 3.8" from the ground, the SL is a low convertible and weights quite hefty at around 4000 pounds. It has a long wheelbase at 101" and length of the roadster itself is a long 182".

Model	Mercedes Benz SL 550 Roadster	Jaguar F Type SVR convertible	Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet	Corvette ZR1 1ZR Convertible
Curb weight (lbs.)	3959	3792	3351	3618
Length(in)	182.3	176.2	178.3	179.8
Width(in)	73.9	74.2	72.9	77.4
Height(in)	51.2	51.5	50.8	48.7
Ground clearance (in)	3.8	4.2	N/A	N/A
Wheelbase (in)	101.7	103.2	96.5	106.7
Track width (in) F/R	62.8/63	62.4/63.4	60.6/60.8	63.6/62.5

Exterior features

Some features fitted on the body of the SL 550 include -

• Panorama Roof
• Power retractable rooftop
• AMG Branded 19" 5-spoked wheels
• LED exterior lighting
• Automatic wipers
• Automatic high beams

Offering abundant safety features, the SL 550 makes sure to protect its pretty face from dents and dings. Yet to be crash tested by the officials, the hardtop still comes with a host of advanced technology like airbags, pop-up roll bars that get activated when in a rollover crash. Some other safety features included in the convertible are as follows -

• Automated Parking System
• Active Brake Assist
• Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call
• Rearview Camera
• Antilock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Stability Program (EBP)
• Antitheft Alarm System with remote panic feature
• Brake Assist (BAS)
• Antilock Braking System

Mercedes Benz SL 550 vs Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 is an all-rounder; it has performance, quality, practicality and can seat more passengers. Even its styling is refreshing and comes with a host of features. The Mercedes Benz SL 550 is a great rival and is athletic, but is outperformed by its German counterpart. Betting on the Porsche is a safer choice than the Silver Arrow.

Mercedes Benz SL 550 vs Jaguar F-Type

The Jaguar F-Type and the Mercedes Benz SL 550 share similar powertrains and but the Jaguar is more athletic. Both the convertibles are fun and spirited, but the Silver Arrow has more of a comfort luxury cruiser in its craft and also offers more interior space. The Englishman also comes short of practicality, however both the convertibles can only seat two passengers. We'd recommend the SL purely for its refinement and relatively more cabin space.

 

The SL 550 is itself a sweet deal for the price; it offers great opulence, performance and comfortable ride. Also, its seating is comfortable and the interior is luxurious. The SL 550 is far more athletic than its younger sibling, the SL 450 and drives with confidence and gives a spirited ride.

However where it falls short is when the deal tastes sweeter as soon as you bring in its rivals and think about the SL 450. The lower trim is by no means any less of a performer; soup it with optional features and packages and you'd not bat an eye towards the 550 variant. Not to say this Mercedes convertible is any less piece of art, but this is one art you could give a miss if others manage to captivate you further more.