2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Convertible!!!!!!!
Mercedes-Benz SL550 Being a Roadster, the two-seater SL features a convertible top. And being a Mercedes-Benz, that convertible top is a power-retractable hard number that lowers in a fit of robotic ballet in about 6 seconds. Top-down storage space is limited by a cover that prevents the cargo from interfering with the operation of the roof, but there's still space for a pair of carry-on bags and a few odds and ends beneath the power-lift and closed trunklid. With the top up, that cover can be shifted out of the way to increase storage space, but you won't be able to drop the top until it is replaced. Even getting into the trunk with the top down is a dramatic affair, requiring that the trunklid lift and then the folded roof and rear glass panels be automatically lifted out of the way. Finally, the storage compartment cover must be lifted, manually, out of the way before you're given access to the trunk. That's a lot of moving parts just to toss your gym bag in the boot, but these steps are necessary for that increased top-up cargo space.
The SL Roadster comes packed with a number of features that make open-air motoring a pleasant experience, even during one of San Francisco's chilly, foggy mornings. A motorized windscreen can be raised to reduce buffeting at freeway speeds; Mercedes' Air Scarf system blows warm air onto the passengers' necks from the headrests to cut the chill; the automatic climate controls adjust automatically for top-down motoring; and heated and ventilated seating surfaces gently warm or cool your bottom and back. With the side windows and windscreen up and the Air Scarf and heated seats keeping me toasty, there's no situation short of snow or rain that could convince me not to take a moment and drop the top. Wind noise is so low that I was able to have a conversation with my passenger or make a hands-free call without shouting. Factor in four-level seat massage motors and driving the SL550 with the adaptive cruise control set to 85 mph is downright relaxing. Hopefully, not so relaxing that you doze off, or the Attention Assist drowsiness detection system will start beeping at you.
Under the SL's hood hums a 4.6-liter V-8 biturbo engine that's as much a work of art as the chassis. Direct-injection technology, a defeatable autostop feature, and an Econ shift program on the seven-speed automatic transmission help this mill to average 16 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 19 mpg according to EPA's combined calculations. These aren't great numbers compared with your average passenger car. this machine has 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.
The autostop system would shut down the engine at stop signs and traffic lights once the engine had been sufficiently warmed up. I didn't find the system to be tremendously intrusive during those moments when I was coming to a complete stop, such as at an intersection. However, when it started kicking in during stop-and-go traffic. The SL550 also features a manual shift mode actuated by steering-wheel paddles, but I found timing the shifts of the conventional manual transmission tricky and elected to let the Sport program do the thinking for me.
