Road Test: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550

If you've been in a 2013 Mercedes SLS, the new SL's interior styling will seem to be familiar. While certainly not a direct lift from the gullwing super car, the SL's interior is very much the same. You'll also find the echo of SL traditions in the round grilles of the air vents, which recall the R107 SL that was created between 1971 and 1989. Needless to say there's lots of leather and aluminum, and two optionally available woods if you would really like a more comfortable ambience.

The seats are very strongly bolstered, yet wide enough for a fast-food junkie, which is a wonderful strategy. They're also warmed, cooled and adjustable in nearly all conceivable way. We're also thrilled to state that Mercedes has ultimately put a good set of cupholders in the SL. There are three — two smaller provisions up in front of the shift lever on one biggie back and the center console between the seats. This is a big bargain; there's lastly a place to put your lady's Big Gulp-size mochachino chai-latte double shot.

As reported by Mercedes, this is the safest car in the world. As common equipment, this car has effective rollover bars, A-pillars made from a mix of aluminum and steel, and every passive and active safety system Mercedes needs to offer. The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL's new design picks up where the also brand new CLS sedan left off. It's more serious. Also more strong, if a bit less traditional. The silhouette we've known ever since 2003 is still there, but the car has expanded a bit larger. It's now two inches longer and 2.2 inches wider. Two completely different suspension systems are out there. There's the regular semi-active dampening or recommended Active Body Control, which applies air springs. Both systems are combined with lots of aluminum suspension partsin an effort to minimize unsprung weight.

The ABC system in our test vehicle provides a sensational handling mixture that matches the SL's feature. Changing it from Comfort mode to Sport dials up the spring rate, but the damping continues to be the same. Even in Sport the vehicle is never too strong, and in Comfort it's downright supple. And the SL corners dead flat, which tends to make it feel more agile, even in actually tight corners. Front end grip is extremely good, and the SL's stability helps make it a simple car to drive easily. Every brand-new SL uses Mercedes' new "Direct-Steer" electric steering system. Direct-Steer controls each of the ratio and the assist of the power steering based on the speed of the vehicle, backing the SL at straight-line highway speeds and reducing both the effort and the turn-in required during low-speed techniques.

<a href="http://www.carpart4u.com"><strong>Mercedes</strong></a> has succeeded in improving the SL's comfort, dynamics, safety and its performance, while also increasing its efficiency. To know more about Mercedes and its <a href="http://www.carpart4u.com/category/6669/Interior-Styling.html"><strong>interior styling</strong></a>, your can come to carpart4u.com.