Our first test of Merc’s new SL roadster in the UK
► Sports car or grand tourer?Think of the SL and you’ll probably imagining a portlier, softer version of its hardcore AMG GT sibling. Designed for munching miles rather than apexes, it’s always been a more comfortable proposition – but that feels a million miles away from the car we’ve just driven. We’ve been destroying rear tyres on Mercedes World UK’s petite but challenging handling circuit, and the last few laps have proven this SL is a very different animal to the last.
But the SL is still about much less technical pleasures: glamour and performance. Down by the sea in the US’ Newport Beach, where roaring Lambos race whirring Teslas between sets of traffic lights on streets paved with gold, the new SL instantly fits in. It looks cool and classy; sexy even, from some angles.
Only pitch is the wrong word here, because the SL55’s Active Ride Control suspension spring to life. The result? The SL doesn’t dive down, fidget or roll like a grand tourer; it’s poised and composed. Most of the blind corners, crests and dips are third-gear stuff, but when second is mandatory, the short gearing and the high rev level can delay the execution for a couple of awkward moments, which can leave you with rather a lot of momentum to be swiftly stashed away. Although there are nine ratios to choose from, the wet take-off clutch and the aggressively spaced three bottom gears clearly favour instant low-end acceleration kicks over mighty midrange punches.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2022 Cadillac Escalade vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator | Car News | Auto123How to choose between the 2022 Cadillac Escalade and 2022 Lincoln Navigator? Auto123 puts two pretty immodest models in competition.
Read more »
Cadillac Escalade 2022 vs Lincoln Navigator 2022 | Actualités automobile | Auto123Comment choisir entre le Cadillac Escalade 2022 et le Lincoln Navigator 2022? Auto123 met en concurrence deux modèles avec zéro pudeur.
Read more »
2023 Mercedes-AMG SL 55 4Matic | PH ReviewThe latest Mercedes SL has 70 years of heritage and an iconic name to live up to. So far, it does...
Read more »
2022 Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner returns to in-person event for first time since pandemicThis year marks the 43rd anniversary of the event which will take place on Nov. 24 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on E. Market St.
Read more »
2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 First Test: Lurking in the Shadows of GiantsIt’s impossible to evaluate Chevy’s off-road flagship without mentioning the Raptor or TRX, but measured on its own merits, the Silverado ZR2 shines.
Read more »