Mercedes-Benz SL350 Night Edition 2010 Review

Mercedes-Benz SL 350 Night Edition

Road Test

Price Guide (manufacturer's list price, excluding on-road costs and dealer delivery): $246,000
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): None fitted
Crash rating: Five-star
Fuel: 95-98 RON PULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 10.0
CO2 emissions (g/km): 238
Also consider: BMW 650i Sport; Jaguar XKR

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 3.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-factor: 4.0/5.0

The SL 350 might be the entry point to Mercedes-Benz's full-size roadster range, but with the limited edition treatment adding a surfeit of supplements (and almost unparalleled exclusivity) to the stunning two-door range, the Night Edition could well be one for the collector's cabinet.

Available in two shades of black -- obsidian black, a metallic gloss; or matte design magno (as tested) -- the SL 350 Night Edition is limited to 25 examples only. Our road test magno vehicle is one of only 12 available for Australian delivery.

Offset by silver painted brake calipers beneath high sheen titanium finished 19-inch AMG five-spoke alloy wheels, the 'steath' finish is accentuated by darkened headlamps and tail lamps, Nappa leather upholstery and black ash wood trim. High gloss door handles and chrome strip on the shoulder line make for an almost uncharacteristic, but somehow necessary, split from the body work's shadowy monotone finish.

While the outright performance of the SL 350 doesn't quite live up to its image, the 3.5-litre V6, developing 232kW/360Nm, is a free-revving and impeccably smooth engine that sees the big coupe shot from 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds. Mated exclusively to Mercedes-Benz's 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, the V6 provides fluid power delivery to the rear wheels. Gearshifts are near imperceptible in all but the first-to-second swap.

Feature wise, and as you'd expect for a cool quarter-mill, the SL 350 Night Edition  includes all the niceties found in the regular SL plus, as with most special editions, a few added extras to ensure you feel as suave as you look. DISTRONIC autonomous (radar) cruise control, remote boot lid opening and closing, a sports steering wheel, contrasting silver stitching, chrome door sill panels, AIRSCARF neck-level heating (perfect for those chilly roofless nights) and automatic draught-stop with a high-gloss chrome trim strip are all standard.

Of course, the obligatory "Night Edition" badges are plentiful inside and out.

Surprisingly for a convertible, the SL includes a generous number of storage compartments throughout the cabin, many of which are enclosed (some lockable) to keep your knick knacks away from prying eyes. The cabin is protected by an ultrasonic alarm, which can be disabled via a switch on the centre console.

Like many left- to right-hand-drive designs, the SL's centre console layout isn't ideally suited to the right-hand orientation Oz enjoys --  the gearshift position indicator and several switches are positioned behind the shifter when viewed from the business seat.

Behind the wheel, and sitting a long way back from the front of the car, the R230 Series SL 350 drives as you'd expect a sports coupe to drive. The classic roadster driving position gives a true feeling of oneness with the car, a sensation backed by a responsive throttle reaction, tenacious handling and muscular braking, all of which lend the Night Edition the touch of finesse it needs to recompense its otherwise unremarkable performance.

In the real world, fuel economy returns register a notable 12.8L/100km, and although this figure is almost three-litres more than the combined ADR average, it's worth remembering the SL 350 is a hefty vehicle. The added safety gear and automated folding metal roof brings the total kerb weight to 1825kg.

Safety features include the usual assortment of electronic driver aids -- all of which come standard -- plus six airbags and pop-up anti-rollover bars.

The Mercedes-Benz SL 350 Night Edition is a competent, cool and arguably collectable ride, but at $264,000 is very nearly in another league, coming close to even higher cache names like Aston Martin's V8 Vantage Roadster ($274,784). Alas, stealth paint or not it is questionable value against more potent same-priced V8 high-horsepower rides like BMW's 650i Sport or the Jaguar XKR.

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