|
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review
Breathtaking new roadster with retractable steel top.
2003 SL-Class Review Summary & Specifications
The all-new Mercedes-Benz SL500 is a very competent sports car that takes the place of what was previously considered a sporty car. There's a big difference between sports car and sporty car. Initially intended as nothing more than an abbreviation for "sporty" and "light," the term SL has come to mean much more. Now it seems to mean luxury, sports car, classy, loaded.The SL500 has little competition other than the Jaguar XKR roadster in its price class (the BMW Z8 is half again as much and hard to find). The Mercedes has the Jag covered in every respect except trunk space (though Jaguar is revising the XK range for 2003). Although the Mercedes trunk is 42 percent larger than the previous models, that translates to only 11.2 cubic feet with the top up, and less with the top down. This may not be enough for two Americans on a road trip. Overall, the SL500 is a techno robot masquerading as a slick German roadster, a 50th anniversary present from Mercedes for the fortunate few.
|
|
| Vehicle Category | Sports Cars |
| Editor | Jim McCraw |
| Model Lineup | SL500 ($85,990); SL55 AMG |
| Engines (standard) | 5.0-liter sohc 24-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 5-speed automatic |
| Engines (optional) | 302-hp 5.0-liter sohc 24-valve V8; 465-hp 5.5-liter supercharged and intercooled V8 |
| Transmissions (optional) | 5-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | ABS, Brake Assist, automatic slip control, electronic stability program, front and side airbags, BabySmart, automatic-adjusting head restraints, automatic pop-up roll bar, 3-point seatbelts with emergency tensioner retractors |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | none |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles; Roadside Assistance |
| Assembled In | Bremen, Germany |
| Manufacturer Phone | 1-800-4MERCEDES |
| Manufacturer URL | www.mbusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 85990 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Mercedes-Benz SL500 ($85,990) |
| Standard Equipment | leather upholstery with wood trim, retractable hard top, wind deflector, automatic climate control, power steering, power windows with express down, power locks, active body control (ABC) suspension, anti-theft system, cruise control, fog lamps, 3-button garage door control, illuminated glovebox with climate control, xenon headlamps with heated washer/wiper, auto-dimming mirror, dual heated power outside mirrors with memory and left-side auto dimming, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, night security illumination, right footwell parcel net, 12-way power seats with memory and lumbar support, leather-trimmed steering wheel, 8-speaker Bose AM/FM/CD sound system with weatherband, Tele Aid with GPS |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Distronic ($2950); Parktronic ($1035); Comfort Package ($1520) includes ventilated seats with multi-contour seatbacks |
| Destination Charge | 665 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | 1300 |
| Layout | rear-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested | 93460 |
| Horse Power | 302 @ 5600 |
| Torque | 339 @ 2700 |
| Fuel Economy | 17/23 |
| Wheelbase | 100.8 |
| Length/Width/Height | 178.5/71.5/51.1 |
| Track Front/Rear | 61.4/60.9 |
| Turning Radius | 36.1 |
| Seating Capacity | 2 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.7/54.0/42.9 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Trunk Volume | 10.2 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | independent damper strut with triangular lower control arms, stabilizer, gas shock absorbers, coil springs |
| Rear Suspension | independent 5-arm multi-link, stabilizer bar, gas shocks, coil springs |
| Ground Clearance | 6.0 |
| Curb Weight | 4000 |
| Stock Tires | P255/45R17 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented drilled disc/vented disc electro-hydraulic with ABS, Brake Assist, ESP |
| Fuel Capacity | 21.1 |
|
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
|