The Mercedes-Benz Museum, Untertuerkheim, Germany

The car definitely showed more pick-up from standstill, but felt just like my SL500 after that, with a somewhat deeper sound at low rpm and a quicker steering response through turns. The new transmission seemed to shift faster, which is only noticeable during harder acceleration. Otherwise it is perfectly smooth, with the shifts almost unnoticeable during normal driving. As part of the optional AMG Sport Package, Mercedes added shift paddles to the steering wheel — a nice touch if you enjoy manually shifting this wonderful new transmission.

The new SL550 has certainly lifted the existing SL500 a notch higher and I’m sure the extra power will make itself known when pushed hard.

The SL has been an unbelievable car from the outset, giving a feel of total confidence under all driving conditions, which is further enhanced by the new SL550 and making it an even more desirable car to own.

SL 55
The next day I drove to AMG in Affalterbach to pick up the SL55.

I had the opportunity for a private tour of the engine plant, an unbelievably clean and impressive operation. AMG was just in the process of phasing in the new 6.3 engine, which will be available in almost every model.

In addition I was given a tour of the Manufaktur, where costumer’s dreams become reality. One can find two-tone CLS models next to C and E cars in the oddest colors (each to his own!), and SL’s with special ordered custom interiors and otherwise unavailable features.

The Mercedes-Benz CLK-DTM Coupe

The most striking AMG model is the CLK-DTM coupe, a limited production supercar for the street, which unfortunately is not for sale in the US.

A new CLK-DTM convertible has just been released and adds another car to the list of AMG models not for US consumption.

When I returned to the showroom, a silver 2007 SL55 was waiting for me.

I immediately noticed the beautiful 19” twin-spoke wheels, which have a much brighter finish than the SL65 wheels, and identify the special AMG performance package, available only on the SL55. In addition to the wheels, the package features a new compound brake system, special ABC suspension, a beautiful alcantara suede steering wheel and a new front spoiler, which give the already stunning car an even more exciting appearance.

For 2007 AMG increased power to 510 hp and added AMG Speedshift programming for 35% faster gear changes together with full size shift paddles on the back of the steering wheel.

But here comes the best part: While all other Mercedes cars capable of reaching very high speeds (and all AMG cars belong into this category) are governed at 250 kmh (155 mph), the SL55 with the performance package is the only factory model where the governor allows you to reach 300 kmh (186 mph).

All hypothetical you say. Well, read on, you will be surprised!

2007 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG

Starting the car (of course without the key, since the car had Keyless Go in addition to all other possible options) produces a smooth idle with a perfectly normal sound for an SL, giving no indication of the 510 horses under the hood. As I slowly drive off, I hear a pleasant deep growl from the quad exhaust pipes. If you are not gentle on the gas pedal, the car will jump ahead, since it has an absolute instant response under your right foot. Here you immediately notice the difference between the “normal” SL’s and the supercharged SL55. While the SLR has the same bite, even the SL65 does not appear to have this instant response from standstill.

For the next half hour I enjoy a drive through the beautiful countryside near Affalterbach, passing through small villages with many beautifully kept, picturesque buildings.

Even though Landstrassen are considered secondary roads, which are rather narrow, they are impeccably maintained and perfectly smooth. The rolling hills combined with sharp dips and turns make it fun to drive and the SL55 shows beautiful flat handling with a pleasantly direct steering feel, telling you that there is a lot more there just for the asking.

Before heading North on the Autobahn to Bielefeld, where I will attend the annual convention of the German 300 SL Club, I take a southern detour to Singen (near the Swiss boarder) to visit Auto-Salon-Singen, which in my book is the most beautiful showroom for supercars and rare collector cars in Germany.

Here you will find more than 100 Ferraris, with one of the showrooms holding only red Ferraris, a sight to behold, and in addition, a balance of the rarest, sometimes one-off high performance cars and limited production classic collector cars from Germany, England and Italy. The spectrum of Mercedes models offered will blow your mind: You will find a CLK-GTR race car next to a number of SLR’s, next to a row of new SL’s, offset by perfectly restored 300 SL Gullwings and Roadsters, next to 3.5 convertibles, 300S Coupes and convertibles and even SSK models, to name a few.

Auto-Salon-Singen, Singen, Germany

All are for sale and ready to roll, you feel like a kid in a candy store. Just check out their web site www.auto-salon-singen.de and be ready to spend a lot of time, it’s all there!

The next day I head North for the long drive to Bielefeld.

Driving the SL55 on the Autobahn can only be summarized by the saying “It’s good to be the King!” I could not resist to drive the car with the top down (or better: folded in the trunk) since the weather cooperated, and of course to get an even higher dose of the “NASCAR” sound the car produces. AMG should change their name to OMG for “Oh My God”, which is what comes to mind when you put your foot down once the speed limit has been lifted.

You start looking way down the road for this innocent looking white sign with diagonal black lines, which stands for “Aufloesungszeichen” or “end of all restrictions” or “here you go, the Autobahn is yours”.

With a flip of the new full size shift paddle (rather than the tiny buttons used before) on the steering wheel, you shift down and let it rip, which will push you back in the seat and propel you down the road with a sound that can only be described as “rolling thunder”. All too quick a speed limit sign comes up or a slower moving vehicle blocks your lane and you have to slow down, which happens without any drama or fuzz, even under occasional hard braking.

You take it in stride and start grinning in anticipation of what is waiting for you after the road is clear again. Better yet: here comes one of the tunnels, often a couple of miles long. The first time, you look around and ask yourself: where is that “inferno” coming from? Until you realize, your car is the one: with the top down the walls and ceiling of the tunnel produce ”surround sound” in the true sense of the word and you cannot help but shift down one gear and step on it to make the ground shake.

After many construction zones and slower traffic the Autobahn opens up again for a longer stretch of high speed running. At 200 kmh (125 mph) with the top down the cockpit shows only a slightly higher amount of turbulence, which does not change at even higher speed (I went up to 250 kmh (155 mph), other than a roar of air rushing over the open car.

In the afternoon I drive with the top closed. This wonderful feature, changing from coupe to convertible in 16 seconds, would make me choose the SL over the SLR even if money is no object. With the long windshield over the cockpit and the windows and wind deflector up, I have driven my SL500 open on many nice fall and winter days, which is a totally new experience you do not want to miss.

Here comes a stretch of three (instead of the mostly two) lanes of the Autobahn and rather light traffic, it is time to test the limits over the 250 kmh (150 mph). A long straight is ahead and with only a few vehicles in the far right lane I put my foot in and hold it down.

It is almost disappointing! The SL55 just surges ahead and only the speedometer reading and the landscape coming to you at a higher rate of speed gives you an indication of warp speed. No fuzz, no vibration, it almost feels like the car hunkers down even further. You feel totally safe, relaxed and in control, the car exudes utter confidence in an almost deceiving manner. This allows you to concentrate even more on traffic and the road ahead, and it has to be far ahead, which you will find out very quickly when you have to slow down from very high speed for a slower car in your lane.

Such high speed stints are only possible at the right place and time. I tried another time under the right conditions, however I was not able to exceed 285 kmh due to traffic ahead. The car felt like “what is wrong, you’re giving up already” with a lot more in reserve.

On a long Autobahn trip in a very fast car you don’t realize how often you exceed 250 kmh without even noticing, other than a glance at the speedometer. After cruising for a distance at 200-220 kmh, you pass another car, after it moves out of the left lane, and in doing so, with wide open road ahead, you quickly add another 50-60kmh, without even trying. All too soon you have to slow down for slower traffic, a posted speed limit and even more often for construction, only to shift down to start all over again, accompanied by the sound of unrestrained power.

Towards evening it started to rain and traffic slowed down.

I stayed in the left lane and drove along as I felt comfortable under the conditions. Many times I was surprised by looking at the speedometer that I was doing 180 kmh (115 mph), which theoretically you do not want to do with the large 285 tires. Again the car felt absolutely confident and safe, helped by new tires, grippy road surface and the perfectly smooth (and properly drained) Autobahn.

I arrived at the hotel north of Bielefeld earlier than expected, especially with all the rain for the last third of the trip, and certainly did not feel any fatigue from driving approx. 600 km.

During the next few days I participated with the SL55 in the driving activities of the SL group.

Two SL beauties, exactly 50 years apart. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

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