Mercedes-Benz SL-Class renewed

The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is one of the world's oldest name plates, its roots stretching back more than 60 years to the iconic 1954 300 SL gullwing coupe and 190 SL roadster.

Today the latest SL-Class makes its debut, introducing more efficient engines that pack a bigger punch, an electrically-folding metal roof that now operates at up to 40km/h and a special 'curve tilting' suspension function that 'leans' the car in fast corners, like a motorcycle or a skier.

A completely different beast to look at compared to the classic SL, Mercedes is nevertheless still touting the new model as the zenith of two-seat motoring, offering levels of luxury, power and refinement that the German company reckons are unmatched in the segment.

Three models will be offered in Australia from July 2016, priced between $220,000 and $360,000, representing price reductions of between five and 10 per cent – or up to $40,000 in the case of the AMG model.

Stuttgart's new nine-speed automatic transmission (replacing the seven-speed cog-swapper) has been introduced into the two regular models, starting with the SL 400. This car's 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 brings 270kW and 500Nm of torque to the table, enough mumbo to see it sprint to 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds. And it's relatively fuel efficient, using a claimed 7.7L/100km.

Next up is the SL 500, by far the most popular model with well-heeled buyers to date. It gets a hefty 4.7-litre twin-turbo V8 worth 335kW and 700Nm and rips from 0-100km/h in 4.3 seconds, with claimed fuel efficiency of 9.0L/100km.

Finally the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 gets a carry-over seven-speed MCT gearbox, and a velvet-sledgehammer of an engine, the 5.5-litre twin-turbo engine slamming down 430kW and 900Nm. That's enough herbs to send it to 100km/h in a supercar-like 4.1 seconds. Claimed fuel efficiency is 10.1L/100km.

Expect price cuts of between $10,000 and $40,000 for the new Merc SL-Class, with estimated pricing (and current prices in brackets) as follows:
SL 400: $220,000 ($229,000)
SL 500: $280,000 ($312,000)
SL 63: $360,000 ($399,000)

There is a fourth model, the Mercedes-AMG SL 65, which packs a twin-turbo V12 (463kW/1000Nm) but this won't be offered in Australia, the almost $500,000 vehicle finding just six buyers in the last four years and hence being cut from the list.

The reason for the price reduction?

"Because we can," says David McCarthy, Senior Manager of Public Relations, Product and Corporate Communications at Mercedes-Benz Australia.

"The reduction in price comes about because there wasn't much more kit we could add. So instead we made it more affordable," he explained.

So what do you get for your hundreds of thousands of dollars?

Exclusivity for one, with less than 100 cars sold per year, but also every luxury you can think of, including lavish leather sports seats with multi-way power adjustability, a Nappa leather steering wheel, automatic everything, Apple CarPlay integration and Internet functionality and, naturally, scads of rear-drive power.

The SL 400 will come to Australia as standard with Dynamic Select variable dampers that change ride comfort from sporty to plush, a five-mode LED intelligent headlight system that adapts to conditions, 19-inch alloy wheels, AirScarf neck heaters, automatic parking and aluminium interior accents.

The car also gets loads of safety features including active blind spot assist, which will steer the car out of trouble by itself, in theory.

Step up to the SL 500 and you're basically paying an extra $60,000 for the privilege of a thumping twin-turbo V8 and SL 500 badges.

At the top of the tree is the SL 63, which gains a panoramic vario roof, Bang and Olufsen sound system, Nappa leather upholstery, special Dynamica roof lining and the alloy wheels borrowed from the AMG GT: 19-inch at the front, 20-inch at the rear.

In 2014 Mercedes-Benz sold 75 SL-Class vehicles, and in 2015 that number dropped to 57. McCarthy expects the sales numbers to bounce back in 2016 and beyond.

"SL has a lot of returning customers," says the Benz Australia executive, but he conceded that the car plays in a "relatively small market".

"Two-seat, high grade, open-top cars are not at the price-level of big sellers [like C-Class]," he said.

"Anyone who buys an SL is successful and tends to be more mature," he noted, but argued that competitors for the SL-Class are not easily identified.

"BMW don't really have a rival, Audi don't, the Bentley Continental is a different car. A lot people say the Maserati [GranCabrio] is the closest rival. There's not a lot of crossover."

The top-end SL 63 AMG competes in a similar bracket to some exotica, such as the Ferrari California ($410K), while the SL 500 rivals the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Convertible ($260K).

"But people only buy an Aston or a Maserati once," said McCarthy, taking a swipe at the reliability of the SL's opponents.
"There's only one SL," he said, "and the competitive set is not easy to define."

"It'll never top 100 [sales per annum], but it'll bounce back in 2016. There's a lot of choice for people's money."