Markboni
says
RE: Mercedes SL63 AMG CAR review
I think the styling of the new SL really lacks the elegance and presence of all the previous generations. I was at the Breakfast Club at Goodwood a few months ago, and you could see where the design cues of the original Gullwing 300 SL had carried over into the design of the SL55, the fluted bonnet, the wing louvres, the delicate use of classic details which make the 5th Generation SL a great car.
I think the 6th Gen SL is flawed in the same way as the 996 was a flawed interpretation of the 911 with it's fried egg lights. Merc will go the same way as Porsche and the next iteration of the SL, and the whole Merc range (which is looking a little vulgar presently, with the exception of the CLS) will revert to the elegant round headlights and flowing detail befitting of Mercedes.
The plastic side vents of the SL63 are criminal, the tail spoiler an unwelcome addition to one of the most gorgeous of automotive behinds and the front grille and bonnet torpedos make the car seem somehow smaller and are reminiscent of the old SLK.
And of course the 5.5 supercharged V8 is a much better engine than the 6.2 (although not quite as modern). It seems odd to have downgraded the torque by such a large amount, although i imagine this is to allow their latest 7G gearbox to handle it. The 730 nM of torque of the SL55 would turn the latest 7 speed into a very expensive box of bolts and swarf. The 55 sounds like a supercharged gasoline thunderstorm, drop it into second at 30, ease the throttle (no flooring it if you want tyres on your wheels) and watch the smile spread across your increasingly distorted face...
They both make a fab noise, but the SL55 is the elegant package i would choose. (Well, i already have!)
01 July 2008 22:24
