Test drive Mercedes Benz SL-class R230 2006-2008 Cabriolet

Fidelity to the ideal

SL stands in the Mercedes-Benz gamut, is perhaps the most exclusive of the mass models of the company. Yes, it cannot be otherwise, because the Roadster is the successor of the glorious first generation SL, Gull Wing, the wings of the Seagull.
 

The fifth generation of SL was light in 2002, and after four years was renewed. I specifically avoid definitions like restyling and facelifting, because the exterior correction in this case was not, apparently, a paramount task. This is especially clearly noticeable against the background of significant changes in the technical filling, which is ultra-modern in a double-modern coupe.
 

This approach can be considered correct. After all, we are talking about a machine originally endowed with extraordinary external data, which can only be slightly corrected. I would venture to assume that the modern SL will remain faithful to its current appearance to the end and will be remembered just that. Like, for example, a S-class in a back with an index 220, which came off the stage almost in the original appearance. Changes in the exterior are designed to refresh SL perception. A modified front bumper, transparent headlights, chrome -tumor chrome edging, updated false radiator grille, new rear lamp design, other wheels. In general, a 2006 model year’s car looks fresh predecessor - the goal has been achieved.
 

Inside, too, without serious changes. Mercedes -Benz inscription (beautiful, not very practical, as experience shows, are easily scratched). The stroke control handle is now made of aluminum. In the sports version of the decoration, decorative aluminum pads are also provided (in our version, the salon is finished with black wood inserts). The design of ventilation deflectors and the climate control unit has changed a bit.
 

The salon is luxurious! Almost everything is sheathed with the skin, and this skin is magnificent. Excellent chairs offer a maximum of electrical regulations - up to changing the length of the pillow and the degree of lateral support. The body racks are in black Alcantara. The soul rejoices, the eye is resting
 

However, a small puncture of the interior developers was nevertheless discovered - this is the executive control handle, which bashfully hides behind the machine gun, when it is in position N. plastic, with tangible backlash - the status of the car does not correspond. However, most likely no one will use it - when the climate control operates in automatic mode, it is sunk into the groove and becomes completely inconspicuous.
 

The chip key can be inserted into the nest and the motor is in a classic method, or you can not take it out of your pocket at all. Leg - immediately on the brake pedal, hand - on the machine gun selector. The second way to start the motor is to touch the selector end, where the elegant Start/Stop Engine button is located. By the way, a fairly easy press on the button or one turning of the key (this is the command to start the engine), and the starter will decide how long you need to twist the engine.

 
The sound of a 5.5-liter V8 V8 in SL is special. The setting can be traced by the ideology of Mercedes -Benz - a comfort rate. The exhaust is not as aggressive as, for example, in Jaguar XK. However, how much hidden power in this delivered baritone! However, upon reaching maximum revolutions, the engine is no longer shy and announces the surroundings with a ferocious roar with ringing metal notes. A motor that issues nearly 400 hp is well familiar from other models of the company. With this power aggregate, the updated SL beats the predecessor with a 306-horsepower eight, as they say, into one gate. For example, in acceleration to 100 km/h, the car threw off 0.8 seconds (5.4 versus 6.2 seconds).
 

In improving dynamic indicators, a considerable merit belongs to a 7G-Tronic 7-speed machine. By order, you can set a version of automatic transmission with the additive of Sport in the name. There was just that on a test car. The advantage of the sports version is in switching: the box works a third faster than usual. Such rate of fire, however, is available only in manual mode. And it is noticeable - compared with automatic switching, the delay is minimal, and when the first is switching to the second with intense acceleration, even a slight sports blow in the transmission is felt. Moreover, it is precisely the sports version of the automatic transmission that very comfortable steering lice petals were given. The steps can also be chosen by swaying the selector left-right. However, this is the lot of Mercedes-Benz fans, this option seemed uncomfortable for me.

 
The movement is full of comfort. Even in the most rigid mode, the active suspension Active Body Control of the second generation takes care of the riders as much as possible. The machine easily overcomes the broken sections of the highway, completely without disturbing the driver and without getting down from the trajectory. The ability to increase the clearance in the city is generally grace. SL does not suffer from a fever of borders typical of sports cars, easily jumping even on the most inaccessible places for parking.
 

In the updated car, the steering (other gear numbers) is differently configured, advanced shock absorbers are used. In theory, with all its comfort, the Roger should have become more sporty. It is known, however, that comfort often has to pay in slurred reactions of the machine in corners and some deterioration of controllability. Therefore, having rolled up a decent number of kilometers in the city, we went to the Avtodrom to test SL in combat conditions.
 

Mercedes-Benz claims that the new generation of Active Body Control is 60% reduces the rolls compared to the previous version of the car. It turned out to be easy to check. Several rides on the snake fully confirmed the justice of the company's statement - a rather difficult relatives with a sharp change in the trajectory are practically not fired. The machine clearly meets the movements of the steering wheel, but without unnecessary sharpness.
 

Then came the turn of the high -speed arc. The force on the steering wheel is informative, to say that the car is removed from the driver. On the contrary, it is located to the dialogue. SL dives into the turn without tension, holds the trajectory perfectly. If you sort out at speed, quite natural insufficient rotation will appear - this is a warning to an inexperienced driver that it is necessary to lose speed. The pilot can easily straighten the situation in favor of excessive rotation, a powerful traction engine is a good assistant in this matter. Following the pressing of the leg on the accelerator pedal, the car smoothly begins to slide the rear axle. Eat is perfectly controlled by traction - you can not work at all, you only need to clearly dose the effort on the pedals. And so SL passes an arc in a spectacular drift, stabilizes at the output and, under a juicy accompaniment of the exhaust systems, shoots a bullet from a turn. Approximate behavior!
 

I must say that the stabilization system, even being disconnected, is awake. If the skid develops according to the controlled scenario described above, ESP will not interfere in the management process. But it is worth performing a rhythmic skid, as she will immediately remind herself, involves the brakes and besieges the car rushing from side to side. In principle, that's right. Few people will purchase this car to effectively revenge tail in every bend. However, this is possible on SL. But now throwing it from one skid to another is an overkill. For such sports, there are specially prepared shells.
 

By the way, one cannot fail to note the merit of the tires in the predicted behavior of the car. The SLs have excellent Michelin Pilot Sport first -generation tires. Well, the size of the wheel discs (17 inches) seems optimal for Russian roads in terms of balance and controllability balance.
 

Recall that in SL a brake system is used in which the pedal is not directly related to brake highways, but only sends the signal to action to the executive mechanism. The system works intellectually. For example, with aggressive driving, when the driver often and intensively slows down, it maintains pressure in highways, which determines a more sharp and timely reaction of the machine during braking. Another interesting feature of SL is that when included in the ABS operation, the vibration is not transmitted to the brake pedal.
 

Nevertheless, civilian riding on SL brings no less pleasure. Especially if the weather is good on the street and it is possible to remove a hard top. The transformation of the coupe into a convertible takes only 16 seconds. There were no complaints about the hardness of the body for all the time. With a folded top when passing irregularities, nothing creaks. And it was not possible to feel noticeable differences in controllability in urban conditions. To make comfort at high speed, you need to raise a protective arc-screen behind. In this case, we can talk about the creation of a microclimate in an open car. By the way, the arc can jump on his own - for the sake of safety, when the driver will be too sharply laid a turn.
 

As for the practicality of a two -seater car, here is a complete order. The cabin has convenient containers for small things in the doorway and caskets with snapping lids behind the seats. The spacious trunk opens remotely, closes too. With a folded roof, access to the luggage compartment is organized by wise. First, its lid rises, then servo drives - the roof of the car, and only after that is the access to the compartment.
 

SL 500 is one of the best representatives of the modern Gran Turismo. Well, the planned update only improved the running characteristics of the Rodster, almost without affecting the charismatic appearance, such an expensive heart of his fans.
 

Prices and equipment
 

Roadster prices start from a mark of 102,000. So much is asked for a car with a V6 engine with a volume of 3.5 liters and an automatic 7-speed gearbox. For the basic version, SL 500 will have to lay out 132,000. SL 600 with BI-Turbo V12 costs from 171,000. A thousand less dealers are asked for SL 55 AMG with compressor V8. The most expensive version of the car - SL 65 AMG - costs from 262,000.

 

Text: Leonty Tyutelev
 

 
 

Source: Motor magazine [October 2006]