New 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

A celebration of automotive design and engineering genius, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class represents the highest expression of a two-seat luxury roadster, with each model boasting colossal power, a retractable hardtop roof, and abundant, alluring luxury features.

All four models in the SL-Class feature a larger front air dam, pronounced side grills and new, sleek side mirrors.  The SL550 Roadster kicks off the SL-Class with a 5.5-liter 382-horsepower 32-valve V8 engine—and that is just the tip of the Mercedes-Benz SL iceberg.  The 7-speed automatic transmission will take you from 0 to 60 in just 5.3 seconds on 18-inch 5-spoke wheels. 

Probably, the most enticing feature is the electrohydraulic retractable aluminum hardtop. If you get in an accident with the top down, sensors activate the Pop-up rollover bar, and a high-strength steel roll bar automatically deploys in 0.3 seconds.

The SL600 packs a wallop with a 5.5-liter, 510-horsepower 36-valve biturbo V-12 engine and 612 lb-ft of torque.  That means 0 to 60 in 4.4 seconds.  18-inch 10-twin-spoke wheels and split dual chrome exhaust make the SL600 both bold and sophisticated. 

Both the SL550 and SL600 feature Bi-Xenon headlamps with Active Curve Illumination light darkened corners and a new COMMAND system provide hard-drive-based navigation with Bluetooth® capability.  Leather heated 12-way power front seats and Harmon/Kardon® LOGIC7® digital surround sound and in-dash 6-disc CD/DVD changer give you good reason to never step foot outside.

If you have the need for speed, then the AMG is the car for you.  Feast on the SL63 and its hand-built 6.3-liter, 518-horsepower 32-valve V-8 engine. AMG SPEEDSHIFT™ programming provides up to 35 percent faster gear changes than traditional transmissions and 465 lb-ft of torque will make rocket-like acceleration a seamless process. Carbon fiber trim, AMG sport seats with AMG premium leather and Bose® Cabin Surround™ multichannel digital surround-sound system illustrate the magnificence of the SL63 AMG.

The Mt. Everest of the SL-Class is the SL65 AMG.  Wrap your head around 6.0-liter, 604-horsepower 36-valve biturbo V-12 engine and 738 lb.-ft of torque.  Race-bred high-performance brakes, 19-inch AMG double-spoke forged wheels, AMG diamond-pattern designed multicontour seats and four polished chrome exhaust tips make the SL65 AMG the closest thing to a jet with wheels.

Safety and security features include driver and passenger front air bags, side-impact head thorax air bags, Antilock brakes, 4-wheel disc brakes and an Electronic Stability Program (ESP). All three trims come with Tele Aid.  Tele Aid provides 24-hour live assistance for emergency aid, information and roadside assistance.  If you are in an accident and the airbags are deployed, Automatic Collision Notification sends a signal to operators who quickly notify paramedics. 

There are few luxury roadsters in the world that can parallel the power, prestige and excellence of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.