Two-seat roadsters are the least practical of automobiles, but at least a Mazda Miata is both fun and affordable. Affordable is not a word ever heard in connection with the Mercedes Benz SL550. Yes, the SL550, which receives some major upgrades for 2007, is ultra-expensive, checking in at a base price of $94,800 and nearly $110,000 for a nicely equipped example for your driveway. Of course, if you have to ask about the price & Anyway, financial considerations aside, the latest edition of the SL550 features more horsepower under the hood, better road feel through the steering column and suspension, and some subtle stylistic enhancements. There are 80 more horses under the hood, thanks to a displacement increase for the SL550 s V-8 from 5.0 to 5.4 liters for peak power of 382 horsepower. Compression is higher and the exhaust system is a bit freer, plus it gives great gurgle on the street. Go for the AMG performance option package, and you get bigger wheels and more rubber for the road, plus some body cladding for a more aggressive stance. The package also puts shift paddles on the steering wheel for the seven-speed automatic transmission. The SL550 uses what Mercedes calls Active Body Control to keep things on an even keel during enthusiastic cornering maneuvers. The German firm claims to have reduced body roll by 60 percent without sacrificing any of the SL550 s appealing ride quality. The steering also seemed to be more communicative and the overall driving character of the SL550 to be noticeably more sporting. If the 383 horsepower V-8 SL550 isn t sufficient to satisfy your driving desires, there are three other SL models, including the twin-turbo SL600 and the supercharged SL65, both rated at 510 horsepower. Even with a two-ton curb weight, those powerplants are quite capable of propelling you from rest to 60 mph in much less time than it took me to type this sentence. The SL550 also can be had with a power-retractable hardtop that never fails to dazzle onlookers, and the interior accommodations are quite suitable to putting a smile on the face of your average Oil Sultan. The SL-series has been a hit for Mercedes since the current generation was introduced in 2003, so don t expect anything beyond enhancements from year-to-year. It provides an impressive combination of performance, comfort and style, all of which taken together pretty much defines the essence of the phrase grand touring. Next week Mark Tapscott gets behind the wheel of the Mazda RX8. Mercedes Benz car reviews autos
