2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Convertible
The first-ever 300-SL was a racecar unlike any that camebrbefore it — with its innovative tubular space frame, teardrop-shape and fuelbrinjection, it stood alone in the motorsports world of its heyday. When the sport liecht or SL series was introduced,brin 1952, speed was of the utmost importance, and carmakers were doingbreverything they could to improve on the age-old standards. Simply translated, sport liecht means “sport andbrlightweight.” The SL, the best-known model in the Mercedes’ lineup, has takenbrmany forms over the years, and even today, improvements to it continue to bebrmade. The sixth generation 2013brMercedes-Benz SL550 is longer, wider and, yes, lighter than ever before.
An upright, single-bar grille toped by a large three-pointedbrstar give a nod to the SL's heritage while LED lighting elements and mattebrpaint options bring the exterior well into the new millennium. For those whobrlike the look of the SLK, you'll be even happier with this slightly largerbrrelative. On the inside, new ambient lighting illuminates the alwaysbrwell-appointed leather interior.
What really sets the SL550 apart is not the usualbrheadliners, but rather the supporting cast. A new aluminum frame and bodybrpanels helped shed more than 270 pounds from its already svelte body. And under the hood, a brand new 4.6-liter,brdirect-injection V8 delivers a stunning 429 horsepower that drives 0 to 60 mphbrin 4.5 seconds.
Proving that performance can also exhibit eco-conservation,brMercedes-Benz offers the new ECO Stop-Start System. It automatically turns off the enginebrwhenever the car stops with the brake pedal depressed adding to the engine'sbroverall fuel economy, listed at 25 mpg highway.
With an MSRP of $106,375, this two-seat roadster is at thebrhigh-end of the convertible spectrum, but the performance and resume of thebr2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 is hard to compete with — even by members of its ownbrfamily.
Specs:
Engine: 4.6-liter V8
Horsepower: 429
MPG: 25 highway
MSRP: $106,375
0–60: 4.5 sec