For 2005, the biggest change to the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is the addition of the fire-breathing SL 65 AMG, reviewed separately. For the rest of the lin-eup, a new DVD-based navigation system becomes available, and wheel-mounted shift buttons are included when the AMG Sport Package is added to the SL 500 and SL 600.
The line-up includes the SL 500, SL 55 AMG and SL 600. All come with a way-cool metal top that folds automatically and stores itself under a hard tonneau at the push of a button.
The SL 500 uses a 5.0-litre V8 and comes with a seven-speed Touch Shift automatic transmission, Active Body Control, Xenon headlamps, heated 12-way power seats, leather upholstery including dash and doors, a choice of burl walnut, chestnut or black ash trim, a Bose surround sound system with six-CD changer, and DVD-based navigation system.
The SL 55 AMG uses an intercooled and supercharged 5.5-litre V8, along with a five-speed automatic transmission with AMG SpeedShift and fingertip shift controls, Active Body Control, 18-inch AMG wheels with high-performance tires, AMG brakes with eight-piston front callipers, Dynamic multi-contour AMG sport seats, AMG-design Nappa leather upholstery, and a choice of AMG-design sand-cast aluminum or wood trim.
The SL 600 uses a 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged V12 with a five-speed Touch Shift automatic transmission, Active Body Control, 18-inch alloy wheels with high-performance tires, eight-piston front brake callipers, Active Ventilated and Dynamic multi-contour seats, exclusive Nappa leather upholstery, a choice of burl walnut, chestnut or black ash trim, and a digital phone with voice control.
The base 5.0-litre may seem positively tame by the standards of the other models, especially the 604 hp monster in the SL 65 AMG, but it’s still enough to move this roadster up and out of any situation. The SL 55 AMG and SL 600 both have the same horsepower, but the V12 has gobs more torque, and it hits the ground running at only 1800 rpm.
Superlatively styled, the SL-Class has an extremely rigid chassis, which makes for superb handling and a body integrity that’s evident even when the top is down. Active Body Control, a system of high-pressure hydraulics controlled by microcomputers, virtually eliminates body roll, dive and squat. Each model also comes with a leather-covered roll bar, which pops up into place in 0.3 seconds should it detect a rollover. The folding metal roof can also be optioned with a Panoramic glass sunroof. None of it comes cheap, but you have to spend your money on something, after all.
The SL-Class is built in Bremen and Afalterbach, Germany.
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