2001 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review

2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS
Prices:
$83,800-$128,950
Likes:
Sporty. Elegant. Fast. Comfortable. Prestigious.
Dislikes:
Aged design. Very heavy. Low fuel economy.

Some cars never go out of style. One is the 1950s Mercedes-Benz 300SL "gullwing" coupe with flip-up doors. Another is the sporty but elegant Mercedes SL-Class two-seater, which long has been a familiar sight in wealthy areas such as Beverly Hills, Calif.
Few cars have more presence or panache. Even Mercedes calls the SL-Class a "modern classic." It was introduced as a 1990 model and feels noticeably older than newer Mercedes models such as the smaller two-seat SLK and sporty CLK four-seat coupe.

But the beautifully built SL-Class has a solid feel that newer Mercedes models don't possess. And it has the latest Mercedes technology, including advanced anti-skid system and brake assist systems. Like all top-line Mercedes models, the 2001 SL-Class costs a lot. It comes as the $83,800 SL500 V-8 and $128,950 SL600 V-12 model.

These rear-drive cars have a power soft top and removable aluminum hard top, with a roll bar that pops up when sensors detect an impending rollover. They're loaded with so much comfort and convenience items that the few options include a $3,950 removable glass-roof Panorama hardtop with a power sunshade. A system that automatically adjusts shock absorber firmness to suit driving conditions is standard on the SL600 and a $4,000 option for the SL500. Heated seats are standard on the SL600 and $620 extra for the SL500.

New are early 2002 Silver Arrow versions that cost $86,300 for the V-8 model and $132,950 for the V-12 version. They're the same as the SL500 and SL600, but have special metallic silver paint, unique leather seat trim and aluminum exterior and interior trim along with special wheels.
The Silver Arrow name is part of Mercedes history. The legendary 1930s Mercedes Silver Arrow competition cars got their name because they didn't meet the allowed racing weight limit until their white paint was stripped to save about 4 1; 2 pounds leaving a bare silver aluminum body.

The 2001 SL500 I tested had regular SL-Class silver paint and a 5-liter 302-horsepower V-8. It provides such strong acceleration that the 389-horsepower V-12 in the harder-to-get S600 seems superfluous. However, a V-12 in a sporty two-seat convertible is rare and resale value never is anything to worry about with an SL600_or an SL500, for that matter. Both are heavy for two-seaters. The SL500 is 4,125 pounds, while the SL600 weighs a whopping 4,455 pounds.

Still, their sophisticated engines are so potent that acceleration is very strong. The SL500 streaks to 60 mph in only 6.1 seconds, while the SL600 hits that speed in 5.9 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. Engines work with a smooth, responsive five-speed automatic transmission that adapts to changes in road grade and meshes with an individual's driving style in automatic mode. The transmission has a manual shift feature, but the shift gate has a marginal design.

With all that weight and high performance, fuel economy is nothing to phone home about: an estimated 16 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway for the SL600 and 13 and 19 for the SL600_about the same as for a heavy sport-utility vehicle. But, despite the weight, the SL500 feels considerably lighter than it is, thanks to such things as a nicely designed all-independent sport suspension and extremely wide tires on big 18-inch wheels.
The weight can be felt during quick lane changes. But handling is quite good. And Mercedes' Electronic Stability Program helps a driver maintain directional stability especially on slippery or gravel-covered roads. The SL-Class is fun to drive, although its weight makes it more of a high-speed cruiser than a sports car.

The big, thick steering wheel is in the Mercedes tradition and is comforting to grasp. Steering is quick, although a bit light at highway speeds. Powerful brakes stop the car quickly without drama and have Mercedes' Brake Assist system; it detects an emergency stop by how quickly the brake pedal is applied and then applies full braking force faster than a driver could. The ride is firm but supple and surprisingly good, considering that the wheelbase is rather short at 99 inches and thin sidewall areas of the ultra wide performance tires don't help much in soaking up road imperfections.

Touching one button retracts the canvas top completely out of sight in 30 seconds. It disappears into a compartment in front of the trunk, which is moderately large and nicely shaped. The lowered soft top doesn't consume trunk space, but there's no room for the hard top.

The SL-Class doors are rather long and heavy. But these models are fairly quiet with the thick convertible top up. The interior has plenty of easily read gauges, smooth controls and supportive seats. Cup holders have a clever design. There's only one windshield wiper, but it's a big one and does a good job of keeping the glass clear during heavy rain. Powerful washer jets help keep the windshield clean.

Safety features include side airbags and Mercedes' Tele Aid system, which provides convenience and emergency services at the touch of a button through a special cellular connection. There's also a Baby Smart child-seat recognition system. The SL500 and SL600 won't be replaced until 2003. They're cars that owners tend to keep for a long time, partly because there's nothing quite like them.