The 429-hp 4.6-liter V-8 in the SL550 combines numerous advances and twin turbos to deliver 12% more power. Its 516 lb-ft torque peak offers 45% more thrust at just 2,000 rpm. New rapid-multispark ignition can fire up to four times per millisecond, while high-pressure Direct Injection can microscopically fine-tune fuel spray in just 0.1 milliseconds, reducing emissions, fuel consumption and noise. A lightweight diecast-alloy block, quicker and more widely variable valve timing, reduced friction, and clever "on-demand" ancillary components like the alternator further boost efficiency.
The industry's first 7-speed automatic has been made even smoother, more responsive and more efficient. A wide range of closely spaced gear ratios delivers the ideal response in virtually every driving situation, for smooth cruising, quick acceleration, and thanks to two overdrive ratios, better highway fuel efficiency. Adaptive logic matches its shift points to your driving style, while three driving modes (ECO, Sport and Manual) can be selected to suit your mood. An advanced, intuitive electronic selector is crafted from aluminum with an embossed leather insert.
A pair of paddles strategically positioned behind the upper steering-wheel spokes allows you to manually upshift and downshift the 7-speed automatic transmission with just a flick of your fingers.
A fuel-saving new ECO Start/Stop system automatically shuts off the engine at stoplights and other idle situations. As soon as the driver lifts off the brake, the engine instantly restarts, for immediate acceleration response. The ECO Start/Stop system can also be shut off by the driver at any time.
The 4-wheel independent multilink suspension is key to the exceptional poise and control of the SL550. The 5-arm rear multilink design, a Mercedes-Benz innovation, controls rear-wheel movement with outstanding precision. For more nimble, precise and predictable handling, virtually all suspension components and their subframes are made of rigid, lightweight aluminum. The semi-active Adaptive Damping System continually adjusts to driving inputs and the road surface. Using a network of sensors, the system can respond at each wheel in just 10 milliseconds, to sharpen handling while the ride stays silky. Driver-selectable Comfort and Sport modes allow you tailor handling response and ride firmness to your present driving style.
Advanced, lightweight and highly efficient electromechanical power steering allows for more precise control of steering effort and feedback. Direct-steer automatically varies the steering ratio based on how far you turn the steering wheel. It provides quicker steering and lighter effort while parking while maintaining excellent directional stability and crisp feel at higher speeds.
Standard Torque Vectoring Brake technology provides additional control and precision in turns via targeted rear-wheel braking. If the vehicle's Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) detects understeer while cornering, the system applies the brake to the inside rear wheel, temporarily shifting torque distribution in favor of the outside wheel. This causes the vehicle to gently pivot in compensation, putting it on a line of travel, or vector, better suited to the turn.
This safety breakthrough first introduced by Mercedes-Benz continually monitors your driving inputs and the vehicle's motion to help keep it going in your intended direction, especially in corners and during evasive maneuvers. If it detects wheelspin, severe understeer (plowing), or oversteer (fishtailing), ESP can brake individual wheels and reduce engine power to help bring the vehicle under control. Disclaimer
Powerful 4-wheel disc brakes feature a number of advances. If you lift off the accelerator quickly, Predictive Brake Priming sets the pads closer to the discs for more immediate response when you apply the brakes. In the rain, Automatic Brake Drying periodically applies the brakes just enough to sweep water build-up from the discs. During uphill starts, Hill-Start Assist helps prevent unwanted rollback. And a HOLD feature can make long red lights or stopped traffic a little easier. Disclaimer
The Antilock Braking System (ABS) senses impending wheel lockup under heavy braking and pumps the front brakes individually or the rear brakes together. This intelligent system can pump the brakes as needed up to 30 times per second, to prevent lockup and preserve the driver's steering ability. Disclaimer
Perforated and internally ventilated front brake discs help to better dissipate the hot gases generated during hard or repeated braking, helping resist brake fade in order to maintain maximum braking performance. The perforations are cast in place when the rotor is made, to prevent the creation of stress points that can occur during conventional cross-drilling. For more even and powerful braking force, the front discs feature large 4-piston calipers. Disclaimer
As gifted aesthetically as it is athletically, the new SL draws an unmistakable line from history to the future. From the upright grille with its central Star, the powerful contours of the long hood sweep past the cockpit into the an aggressively contoured tail. Advanced aerodynamics and LED lighting harmonize with timeless elegance of chrome-accented vents in the hood and fenders. And with its signature retractable hardtop, it's perfectly proportioned as both a sleek closed coupe or classic open roadster.
Aggressively styled lower bodywork includes a deep front air dam with mesh intakes, along with aerodynamic sculpting of the side sills and rear valance.
Transform your SL from closed coupe to open roadster in about 16 seconds, the quickest in its class and perhaps the entire industry. With a single button on the console, the hardtop folds into the trunk. The rear window pivots 180 degrees as the top lowers to help preserve cargo space with the top stowed.
The Panorama roof opens up a whole new look, inside and out. Occupants enjoy an expansive view of the sky through a heat-reflecting transparent panel. A manual mesh sunshade helps limit the amount of sunlight entering the cabin.
Lavished in supple leather, hand-polished wood and a bounty of user-friendly technology, the SL550 cabin keeps its two occupants feeling coddled, connected and captivated. Classic round air vents and advanced controls and displays reflect two longstanding SL traditions: timeless style and ahead-of-its-time technology.
Staggered-width alloy wheels and tires are wider at the rear for greater launch grip, and narrower up front for crisper steering feedback. The SL550's standard 18-inch wheels feature an alluring twin 5-spoke design with a bright silver finish, and they're fitted with high-performance tires. Disclaimer
For maximum driving pleasure, the sport steering wheel features a grippy Premium leather-wrapped rim with raised thumbgrips at the ideal "10 and 2 o'clock" positions and a racing-inspired flat-bottom design. For fingertip access to some of the vehicle functions you use most often, convenient buttons on the wheel let you control the audio volume and selection, send and end calls on your Bluetooth-enabled phone, and scroll through the features of the multifunction display in the instrument cluster.
Bi-Xenon headlamps help deliver greater visibility than halogen headlamps because their brighter, whiter light is much closer to natural daylight. Active Curve Illumination helps you see better into corners at night, swiveling the headlamps as you steer to increase usable illumination by up to 90% over conventional fixed headlamps.
Hand-polished Burl Walnut wood trim graces the console, dash and doors with its intricate grain, lending the SL550 cockpit a further air of refinement and exclusivity.
Hand-polished Black Ash wood trim adorns the console, dash and doors with its deep, dark grain, adding a dramatically modern aura to the SL550 cockpit.
The SL's sophisticated restraint system includes front air bags with dual deployment thresholds, as well as new head air bags, plus thorax side-impact air bags and knee bags for both driver and passenger. Disclaimer
In the case of a rear impact exceeding a preset threshold, NECK-PRO head restraints move forward and slightly upward, reducing the distance between the head restraints and the heads of front-seat occupants. This action helps to reduce the possibility or severity of whiplash-type neck injuries.
Another Mercedes-Benz safety breakthrough, PRE-SAFE® is a predictive occupant-protection system that helps prepare for an accident in the critical moments before it occurs. If sensors detect certain vehicle movements that indicate that an accident is possible, PRE-SAFE takes action: Reversible electronic tensioners tighten the seat belts. The occupied passenger seat adjusts to a more favorable position for air-bag and seat-belt effectiveness, while both active head restraints adjust for optimum protection. If severe skidding indicates that a rollover is likely, PRE-SAFE closes the side windows. If no accident occurs, the seat-belt tensioners reverse, and you simply readjust your seat, open the windows and continue on your way. Disclaimer
Engineered from road to roof not just as a convertible but as a genuine Mercedes-Benz, the SL-Class body structure enhances both its occupant protection and its precise handling. Composed vitually entirely from stamped, cast, chilled-cast, thermoformed and extruded aluminum, the body shell is nearly 300 lbs lighter than before yet is 20% higher in torsional rigidity. The only structural steel in the body comprises the windshield frame, and features high-strength "tube-in-tube" pillars for robust support with minimal vision obstruction.
In 1989, Mercedes-Benz pioneered the pop-up roll bar, a significant advancement in convertible safety. When sensors detect an impending rollover, the dual roll bars of the new SL deploy in just 0.3 seconds to help preserve and protect occupant space. Disclaimer
Equipped with Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs) and belt force limiters, 3-point seat belts are arguably our most important passive safety feature. If a collision exceeds a preset threshold, the ETDs instantly remove slack from the seat belts. Belt force limiters allow a slight amount of give in the seat belts and reduce the peak seat-belt forces on the occupant.
The first system of its kind, ATTENTION ASSIST continuously monitors different parameters of driving behavior, and can automatically alert the driver with both visual and audible warnings if it detects signs of drowsiness on long trips. Disclaimer
The SL's powerful 4-wheel disc brakes feature a number of advances. If you lift off the accelerator quickly, Predictive Brake Priming sets the pads closer to the discs for more immediate response when you apply the brakes. In the rain, Automatic Brake Drying notes when the wipers are switched on, and periodically applies the brakes just enough to sweep water build-up from the discs. Disclaimer
Enjoy the strong, controlled stopping power of dual-circuit power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes, backed by an Antilock Braking System (ABS). ABS senses impending wheel lockup under heavy braking and pumps the front brakes individually or the rear brakes together. This intelligent system can pump the brakes as needed up to 30 times per second, to prevent lockup and preserve the driver's steering ability. Disclaimer
Bi-Xenon headlamps help deliver greater visibility than halogen headlamps because their brighter, whiter light is much closer to natural daylight. Active Curve Illumination helps you see better into corners at night, swiveling the headlamps as you steer to increase usable illumination by up to 90% over conventional fixed headlamps.
Engineered to maximize road illumination without creating glare for other drivers. Adaptive Highbeam Assist uses continuous input from a camera to automatically vary the range of your high-beam headlamps, based on the distance to oncoming vehicles and to those ahead of you.
To help you negotiate tight turns, corner-illuminating front lamps shine toward the inside of the turn. Activated by turning the steering wheel or using the turn signals at low speeds, they're particularly useful in parking structures, suburban neighborhoods or when turning into driveways.
Bright white LED Daytime Running Lamps help increase the visibility of your vehicle to oncoming traffic by illuminating front lights whenever the car is switched on. With long life and low energy consumption, the light-emitting diode (LED) lamps also add a distinctive high-tech styling touch. LED technology also delivers quicker illumination of the brake lamps. By offering drivers behind you more time to react, their stopping distance may be reduced by several feet, which could make a critical difference in a panic stop.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) can automatically detect a substantial loss of tire pressure in any wheel and alert the driver via a warning message in the multifunction display. The advanced TPMS can also display the numeric tire pressure for each mounted wheel.
The SmartKey remote control integrates remote door locks and trunk opener, a removable valet key, and a remote panic alarm. You may selectively unlock only the driver's door and fuel filler, or both doors plus the trunk and fuel filler. And for added convenience when parking with the top down, the glovebox and console compartments automatically lock when you remote-lock the car.
From your car, your computer or your compatible smartphone, mbrace2™ offers the industry's most comprehensive range of features for more connected, safe and productive drive time. From making your everyday life easier to helping out in an emergency, mbrace2 combines advanced cloud-based and GPS technology with 24-hour support from helpful experts. The mbrace hardware is standard, and a trial period for each of the three mbrace Packages is included. Disclaimer
The standard antitheft alarm system is armed automatically when you lock your Mercedes from the outside. It sounds the horn and flashes the exterior lights if a door, the trunk or the hood is opened without first unlocking the vehicle. You can also sound the alarm by pressing the red "panic" button on your SmartKey remote when you're within range of your vehicle.
Rain-sensing windshield wipers automatically adjust the intermittent wiper frequency based on the amount of rainfall.
An innovation in visibility especially suited to a roadster, MAGIC VISION CONTROL features wiper blades with laser cut holes that generates an extremely precise spray of washer fluid directly in front of the moving wipers. The system eliminates the briefly vision-obscuring spray across the full windshield, and minimizes the overspray and runoff that can reach the passengers during top-down driving. And since the washer fluid reservoir, lines and even the wiper blades are heated, it's also extremely effective in cold weather.
Intuitive, seat-shaped controls help you and your passenger find your ideal seating positions with 12-way power adjustment, including cushion length, plus 4-way power lumbar support. A memory system for each seat recalls three stored seat positions with the touch of a button. The driver-seat memory also includes the power steering column and side mirror positions.
Electrically heated seats quickly take the chill out of even the coldest day. Three levels of warming automatically step down after several minutes to the lowest setting.
Separate left and right temperature controls allow the driver and passenger to enjoy personalized comfort. In addition to fully automatic or manual control of blower speed and airflow distribution, the system includes sun and humidity sensors, a dust/pollen filter, and an activated charcoal filter that automatically recirculates cabin air upon detecting a significant increase in smog. It also automatically adjusts to whether the retractable hardtop is open or closed.
Supple, richly grained leather is hand-fitted to all seating surfaces. Contrasting double-stitched seams add to its sporty style. An innovative treatment also helps the leather fend off heat and the ravages of sun exposure.
At the touch of a button, a mesh screen rises from the rear cabin wall, helping to calm drafts and buffeting in the cabin for more comfortable and quiet top-down motoring. When not needed, it retracts elegantly into the rear cabin wall, out of sight and without taking up trunk space.
As sensors on the inside mirror detect the headlights of vehicles behind you, both the inside and driver-side mirrors gradually darken to reduce reflected glare. To help maintain your rear vision, dimming is automatically cancelled when you shift to Reverse or if an interior light is switched on.
Program your Mercedes-Benz to illuminate its exterior lights when you unlock it in darkness, to help illuminate a path to your vehicle.
Three buttons on the rear view mirror can be programmed to operate many types of garage door openers, security gates and other HomeLink-compatible features. Disclaimer
For convenient loading and unloading of the luggage when the hardtop is retracted, the Easy-pack system tilts the folded roof up when you press a button inside the trunk. With the optional HANDS-FREE ACCESS, it tilts up automatically when the trunk opens.
Whether you're stuck traversing hills or merely waiting in traffic, the Mercedes-Benz HOLD Function keeps your vehicle stationary without requiring any interaction with the brake pedal. Much like conventional cruise control, the HOLD function cleverly integrates into your natural interaction with the brake pedal, activating when you press beyond the brake pedal's range, and deactivating with a simple press of the accelerator.
Featuring a high-resolution color-LCD display and a central controller on the console, the Cockpit Management and Data (COMAND) system gives you convenient control of audio, video, hands-free calling and navigation functions. Many features can also be accessed via the integrated steering-wheel controls. Disclaimer
Using GPS technology and a 80GB hard drive to store maps, points of interest, and Zagat® Survey ratings for restaurants, hotels and golf courses, this virtual copilot provides detailed driving directions with remarkable speed and a friendly voice. The COMAND system's large color-LCD screen also displays gas stations, ATMs and Mercedes-Benz dealerships along your route within the contiguous U.S., Canada and Oahu, Hawaii, with periodic updates available at your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Disclaimer
A single-slot system, the in-dash 6-disc changer plays audio CDs and DVDs. You can even watch a DVD movie while the vehicle is in Park.
SiriusXM Radio offers 130+ channels of premium digital entertainment, from news, talk and sports to commercial-free music from every genre. Enjoy live broadcasts of the biggest NFL®, NCAA®, NHL® and NBA® teams, plus 150+ college sports teams. While you listen, SiriusXM Traffic keeps you up to date on accidents, traffic, construction and road closures, based on real-time traffic reports. And new SiriusXM Weather delivers detailed, graphical weather reports and forecasts. Six months of service are included. Disclaimer
Specifically engineered for the SL-Class, this premium digital sound system fills the cabin with 600 watts of beautifully balanced audio. No fewer than 12 strategically placed speakers plus two subwoofers deliver a wholly immersive listening experience through Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound technology. Digital Dynamic Volume Control impeccably and imperceptibly maintains the sound spectrum for consistent listening pleasure in varying driving conditions. Disclaimer
A leap forward in open-roadster audio quality, FrontBass takes advantage of the SL's innovative aluminum bodyshell by utilizing the rigid front frame members as resonance chambers for twin under-dash subwoofers. In addition to providing rich, precise bass regardless of the hardtop's position, the design saves weight and frees up space in the cabin and doors.
The MP3 Media Interface turns your Mercedes-Benz into an extension of your iPod or compatible electronic device. Browse, select and play your musical accompaniment of choice using steering-wheel, COMAND-system or stereo controls. Disclaimer
Delivering remarkably clear audio that gives AM stations the crispness of FM radio, and FM stations CD-grade sound, HD Radio® also offers a larger bandwidth that can actually increase the number of stations available to you. Disclaimer
Music Register allows you to store up to 10GB of your own digital music on the in-dash hard drive. It lets you copy songs from your CDs and DVDs and save them to your vehicle's audio system, so you can listen to them anytime and anywhere you drive.
Place or answer calls and access select phonebooks hands-free with standard Bluetooth connectivity. When your compatible phone is synched with the vehicle, you can enjoy hands-free conversations over the audio system. Enhanced Voice Control lets you control the phone, audio and navigation by saying city names and your phonebook contacts normally, with no need to spell them out. It even screens out "ums" and "ahs" and understands "yeah" for "yes." Visit http://www.mercedes-benz-mobile.com/us/en/ to learn more. Disclaimer