2017 Mercedes-Benz SL450: 5 Things You Need to Know
The iconic coupe recently got mild updates and a new powertrain, but let’s dive into what you haven’t heard about.
The SL-Class is one of the oldest Mercedes-Benz nameplates in production. The recently refreshed 2017 SL450 has received new updates that help it live up to its heritage as a head-turner. Here are 5 things you need to know about it.
Exterior Design Improvements
If you haven’t seen an SL450 in a few years, there are several styling differences that separate the 2017 model from earlier cars.
The first difference is in the iconic grille. New for 2017, the SL features a diamond-shaped design that extends downwards and away from the iconic star emblem. Accenting the grille are now-standard LED headlamps that wrap around to the fenders. This gives the front-end a wider, more aerodynamic look, especially with the enlarged cosmetic air outlets below the lights.
19-inch rims with a 5-spoke design are also standard on new models.
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Lightly Refreshed Cabin
Inside, the cabin has been updated with minimal changes like dials with a sporty new design and a new media display. It presents information like dynamic driving data, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, or torque and output depending on the driving mode.
Keeping its heritage intact, designers kept the round air vents, analog clock and luxurious materials throughout the cabin.
New V6 Engine
The base SL450 has a new engine and transmission. Mercedes engineers put a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission in the roadster, giving it a blend of power and smooth drivability.
This new engine puts out 362 HP at 5,500-6,000 RPM while torque peaks at 369 lb-ft at 2,000-4,200 RPM. Mercedes says it will go 0-60 in 4.9 seconds and can hit an electronically-limited 155 miles per hour. Providing a V6 creates a wider gap between the base and the V8-powered SL550 (449 HP and 516 lb-ft.), not to mention the jump to the AMG versions.
More Choices in Drive Modes and Comfort Settings
One of the more impressive things about the SL450 is how drivers can dial in the suspension to fit their exact needs. There are five different drive modes, five different comfort settings, and paddle shifters. This creates a lot of different combinations to suit everyone’s driving style.
The drive modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual) adjust the transmission and suspension with its continuously variable dampers. Basically, these adjust how sporty the car feels. The more you tune Sport and Sport+, the more the SL450 wants to be on a track and the lower the car sinks (it can drop .51 inches, and can raise 1.97 inches for rough roads).
Like the drive modes, the comfort modes (Curve, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual) adjust the way the car responds, this time through a curve tilting function as part of the Active Body Control suspension. This function can tilt a maximum of 2.65 degrees at speeds ranging from nine to 112 MPH. Using this feature reduces how much you and your passengers slide side to side.
Behind the Wheel
On the open road, one more change becomes very apparent – the aluminum bodyshell, which cut 220 pounds off the car. This aluminum structure makes the handling feel sharper and generally makes the V6 model feel faster than it is.
We were fortunate to take a spin on the mountain roads outside Estes Park, Colorado, and experience the pleasure of driving the refreshed V6 roadster. While the SL550 offers a faster 0-60 time, the V6 was plenty fast for everyday driving without feeling wasteful sitting in traffic, like some powerful V8s do.
The power curve on the V6 also provided plenty of power off the line in Sport+ mode while remaining comfortable enough for a Sunday cruise. Pricing for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL450 starts at $86,590 and quickly rises based on options.
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