Mercedes-Benz has some very fancy cars, but one rarely notices its performance. Most don’t buy Mercedes-Benz for performance, they buy for luxury. However, thanks to Aufrecht Melcher Grossaspach (AMG), Mercedes-Benz now has some performance up their sleeve. First off, this review marks the new style of review.

Acceleration: 0-60 (MPH) in 4.5 seconds is pretty darn good. You have to remember that this Benz is also sporting a drop-top, which adds a good amount of weight.

Fuel Economy: Rated at 11/18 MPG City/Highway, that is a best-case scenario, maybe if grandma is driving. If you drive this car, you are flooring it.

Handling: Thanks to MB’s 19 inch wheels, you might feel a couple of more bumps than normal, but the ride is still smooth. Then you have the steering. Once again, due to the 19′s, it can be a bit bumpy, but steering is nicely powered and not overprotective.

Braking: When driving in this car, you need to slow down from its crazy speeds, and you need some good brakes to do so. These brakes are no exception. There is a small deadzone, but once passed that, they really grip well.

Controls: Like most Mercedes-Benz models, SL uses a version of the company’s COMAND control system. In this application, it lacks the center-console joystick found on the CL- and S-Class models. This makes it much harder to do things, such as change radio station bands or operate the navigation system. The gauges are easy enough to read, though performing simple tasks, like resetting the trip odometer, requires multiple button presses.

Fit and Finish: MB has some great materials in the car, and they should. Very few plastics, mostly just nice metals and leather.

Room: With the hard-top convertible, you loose a lot of space with the top off. So, if you want to go somewhere warm with luggage, open the windows. With people, the front driver and passenger are ok, but the back seats can be a bit cramped.

Overall: I have to give this car a good 9 out of 10. Why the 9? Well, no 10 because of no option for coupe. Also, the weight and space are a factor. But the 9 is pretty good, especially for a car like this.

Engine Specifications:

Engine Type: AMG 6.0 Liter V12

Power: 604 HP @ 4,800 RPM

Torque: 738 Lb/Ft @2,000-4,000 RPM

Drivetrain: RWD 5-speed automatic with manual mode