The Car: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL 550
Where I drove it: Downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena, and the Hollywood Hills.
First Impressions: It was a dramatic moment when the valet pulled up in the creamy-white 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 — and I soaked it up. Let me set the scene: The Standard Los Angeles valet lot is just steps away from the lounge area in the downtown LA hotel, nestled among shadowy tall buildings. At any give time, there are a dozen hipsters lounging on white sofas before they head up to rooftop of the hotel to make the bar scene. In other words, everyone is looking at everyone else. The valet handed me the key and the SL-550 seemed to shimmer in the Califronia sunshine. I heard a low whistle or two. I sauntered over, climbed in and dropped the hardtop to complete the moment of conspicuous consumption. The SL has head-turning power in a tough car town.
Second date: The SL power is palpable, even without an AMG badge. The engine idles in anticipation and with a little throttle, is off and running. The driver seat moves with the body in a slick high performance tech maneuver. Up close, the exterior SL 550 has odd proportions. Some writers have found the linework to be overdone, but I was actually fine with the chunky body and raised rear. The contours give it a bit of distinct character. Is it my favorite design? No, but god awful? Hardly.
On the inside: Where the SL wins the big money. The SL 550 is chalk full of interior comforts. New technology in the windshield wipers squirt fluid from wiper to glass in a piece of new Mercedes technology. The warm breeze that tickled the back of my neck from the “Airscarf” was a personal favorite. Th eMagic Sky Control roof is spacious and inspiring.
MPG: 26/17
Under the Hood: A spicy 435-horsepower V8 engine and 515 pound-feet of torque that climbs from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds.
What people said: Wall Street Journal columnist Dan Neil wrote, “Fast, elegant, swimming in technical comforts and refinements, the SL is a world-class piece of machinery. It would be nice if the outside reflected the soulful beauties inside.”
Forbes writer Hannah Elliott wrote, “This is the car Lara Stone filmed withrecently in a Hitchcock-inspired short by Alex Prager, the reason why Stone attended Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week earlier this month. It’s based on one of the most iconic car designs ever built.”
Parting thoughts: I’d test drive it all over again on a rainy day, so I can get the full effect of those windshield wipers.
MSRP:$106,375
Source: Forbes
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