Review Car

2011 Mercedes Benz Sl55 Amg

The 2011 Mercedes Benz Sl55 Amg has quintessential elegance and ease mated to stunning power and performance offering a driving experience which is more dynamic than ever. From its sculpted rocker panels to its five-spoke 18-inch alloys to its four chrome exhaust tips, this car exudes class — with an edge.Like the 500, among the SL55’s best attributes is its structure. It is a true hardtop in every sense of the word, even if that hardtop disappears into the trunk in only 16 seconds. With the top down, it never flinches. With the top up, you’d swear it was one seamless piece. Beneath the long, lovely hood is a handcrafted version of the 500’s 24-valve aluminum V-8, now 5.5 liters, supercharged and packing 493 horses and 516 lb-ft of torque. That, ladies and gents, is almost a Viper. The design of the striking front apron, which dominates the nose of the vehicle, recalls the look of the Formula 1 Safety Car. For optimum braking performance, sensitivity and resistance to fading, the front wheels of the SL 55 AMG with the Performance Package are equipped with a composite steel brake system.

But The 2011 Mercedes Benz Sl55 Amg relatively ponderous weight and deliberate refinement keep it from behaving like a Viper. Fortunately. Still, this large roadster’s 0-60 in 4.5 seconds can hardly be called lollygagging. It is quick, fast and arrogant, exhaling a lusty exhaust note more characteristic of Corvette than Mercedes. This Benz is just full of surprises. The five-speed electronic transmission can be shifted to manual mode and controlled with your fingertips by buttons mounted on the back of the steering wheel. Unlike many such manumatic setups, this one allows you to run the gears all the way up to redline. Even the cornering remains surprisingly flat despite the heft and size of this roadster, thanks to carefully tuned electronics that govern suspension. It affords naughty fun in the twisties without imposing the least ride discomfort on its passengers. Of course, who would notice, ensconced in its sumptuous leather buckets, perfectly bolstered via infinite adjustments. A wash of wild red leather accented with brushed aluminum, black leather and suede, this interior is not exactly the tasteful subtlety we expect of Mercedes.

But it certainly captures the spirit of this car. As for its other attributes, the wonders never cease. Everything happens with the touch of the button, if that. Among the options on mine were doors that unlock automatically when you approach with an electronic card in your pocket. The same signal starts the engine with just the push of a button. No keys necessary. Racing technology comes to the road: with the addition of the new AMG-Performance Package. Developed by Mercedes-AMG, this high-performance version of the successful roadster is a compelling tour de force with looks and technology closely derived from the official FIA Safety Car used in last year’s F1 Grand Prix season. The 2011 2011 Mercedes Benz Sl55 Amg with the Performance Package owes its enhanced dynamic characteristics to an extensive range of revisions to its body, engine cooling system, brakes and suspension.