We get behind the luxurious wheels of the Mercedes-Benz SL 350 to become a celebrity for a day
This is the quickest way to draw the spotlight straight at you.The problem, for some, could be that the gorgeous Mercedes-Benz SL 350 can set you back by Rs 1.23 crore (on the road, Pune). For those who can still consider buying this magnificent beast, please read on. And those who can’t, don’t worry, it’s never too late to set high goals and fantasising is our birthright!
The ‘SL’ here stand for ‘Sport Leicht’ or Sport Light and the suffix has been carried forward from the original 300SL, launched way back in 1952. A car that won several races, defeating much more powerful cars like Ferrari and Jaguar, thanks to its light weight and advanced aerodynamics.Coming back to the future, the SL 350 still reflects cues from the original 300 SL. Especially in the front design with the big three-pointed star nestled in the middle of the large grille, while the stretched bonnet with the twin powerdomes evokes the power that lies beneath. The car we got for our review had an immaculate black paint finish and the large 17-inch low-profile tyres (255/45 R 17), swept-back headlights and side gill lend an aggressive profile that’s sure to make you miss a heartbeat. Although the rear design with the tail tapering off is something something that can be debated upon.
The hard top can retract into the boot making this attractive coupé more desirable while you enjoy the pleasant breeze and nonchalantly flaunt the fine nappa leather interior. You sit low in the cosy cockpit, with your hands on the racily three-spoke steering wheel, but the very handy paddle gear-shifts would cost extra. We had the all-black leather trim, but you can choose from an array of material such as wood, aluminium or even carbon-fibre. The craftsmanship is impeccable, to say the least, and you also get a Harman Kardon engineered music system. But Comand controls did test my IQ for simple navigation through the system.
There are chronograph-style needles of the instrument cluster, which initially remain dormant in the six o’clock position but spring to life the moment you switch on the ignition. Spinning around their respective dials before returning to the ‘0 RPPM’ and ‘0 km/h’ positions. These minor details set your pulse racing and what good is a sport car that can’t manage to do that?
The seats are comfortably firm, supportive and can be adjusted in various ways. There is just enough space behind the front seats for Snowy or to stow extra bags. Then there are a host of driver aids such as ABS, ESP and the optional Active Body Control or ABC that make driving a lot more fun. But since this model was introduced internationally four years ago, it doesn’t have several newer gizmos such as parking assist with camera and blind spot sensors, among others. Since you have the option of driving without the roof on, Mercedes-Benz have taken extra caution to make the SL 350 a very safe car with air-bags and other precautions. Then there is the roll-over bar that pops up in case the car turns turtle.
Mercedes-Benz employ the tried and tested 3,498-cc, V6 motor mated to a seven-speed 7G-TRONIC transmission. It can whip out healthy figures of 320.38 PS at 6,500 RPM and 360 Nm at 4,900 RPM. The exhaust has a soft note like a lion rumbling after a hefty meal, though a snarl declaring war would have been more like it. The silky 3.5-litre has a unique character that makes this roadster comfortable to drive on city roads and fun being a lunatic on empty stretches of highways. Switch from the ‘Comfort’ to ‘Sport’ mode and the suspensions stiffen, the steering sharpens and the engine becomes more responsive.
The 7G-TRONIC isn’t the quickest and feels elastic-y. Though it does 0-100 km/h in a respectable 8.06 seconds, the SL 350 feels better in ‘Comfort’, as you munch miles maintaining 120 km/h effortlessly. The coil spring with stabilisers in front and rear do a great job of soaking most road defects. However, if you happen to drive over a broken patch of road, the low-profile tyres will shake you out of your pleasant dream. The speed-sensitive steering is light and impressive for a sporty car like this. I must mention the Active Body Control that came to my rescue when I got carried away trying to get a more dynamic entry into corners during the photo shoot.
So, is it worth the money? If you are looking for a hardcore sports car, then you have plenty of other options in the market. The Mercedes-Benz SL 350 is one roadster that can play the dual role of a grand tourer and the occasional edgy sports car with panache. And it’s definitely worth your fantasy.
Story: Sarmad Kadiri
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
