Mercedes-Benz SL550

The SL roadster is one of the most recognizable and coveted vehicles in the world, thanks to its combination of sporty good looks, aggressive performance, and agile handling, as well as that fact that it offers an open-top driving experience that is practically unmatchable. One of the SL's latest configurations is the SL550, introduced in 2007 as a successor to the previous year's SL500 roadster.

The SL550 features a fresh, aerodyamic and muscular appearance. It sports such exterior design features include as a gray titanium grille, Xenon high-intensity headlights, halogen front foglights, side vents, and dual chrome exhaust tips.

Naturally, like all SL roadsters, it also is equipped with an electrohydraulic retractable aluminum folding hardtop that stows in the trunk. The roof, which has an electrically heated rear window, can be operated with either the console controller or the SmartKey remote controller.

Under the hood of the rear-wheel-drive SL550 is a new 5.5-liter, double-overhead-cam V8 engine that produces 382 horsepower. The standard transmission is a seven-speed automatic with driver adaptative programming, which adjusts shift points depending on the driver's style, and Touch Shift, when enables the driver to manually upshift or downshift by nudging the shift lever left or right.

Interior features are in keeping with the SL550's status as one of the world's top luxury roadsters, and include 12-way power-adjustable heated front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, velour carpeting, dual-zone automatic climate control, power windows, electronic cruise control, and hand-polished Chestnet, Burl Walnut, or Black Ash wood trim.

For communications and entertainment, the SL550 is equipped with the COMAND-DVD Cockpit Management and Data System, which combines a 6.5-inch color LCD screen, an AM/FM audio system, single-disc in-dash CD player, Sirius satellite radio, DVD-based navigation system, and rear-cabin-mounted 6-disc CD changer.