International Press Reviews of the Mercedes-Benz SL, 1955-2016

Mercedes-Benz 380 SL (R 107, production period 1971 to 1989). This model was in production from 1980 to 1985. Phantom view from front left. (Photo signature in the Mercedes-Benz Classic archive: U97222)Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W 198)

“auto, motor und sport” noted in Issue 21/1955: “Amongst the sports cars of our time, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is both the most refined and the most fascinating – a dream of a motorcar.”

The British “Autosport” trade magazine praised it in its issue of 13 May 1955 after running road tests: “Truly, this car is indeed a projectile, and as our aircraft flew from Frankfurt to London I carried with me a souvenir of its performance – stiff, cramped neck muscles, a physical memento of its tremendous acceleration.”

Hopes of success in the US market were also pinned on the car: the magazine “Road & Track”, published in the United States, April 1955 Issue, enthused: “When enclosed comfort is combined with a remarkable ride, uncanny wheel adhesion, quick steering and performance equal to or better than almost any car you can name, the conclusion is inevitable. The sports car of the future is here today!”

The British magazine “Autocar” wrote on 25 March 1955: “For a passenger who has not travelled in the 300 SL before, the effect is electrifying. The occupant receives at first a mild pressing back into the seat and then, as the power comes in between 3,500 rpm and 4,000 rpm, he feels as though he is being rocketed through space.”

Mercedes-Benz 190 SL (W 121)

Shortly after the presentation of the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL at the International Motor Sports Show in New York, “auto motor und sport”, Germany, Issue 3/1954, wrote: “The Mercedes 190 SL is an elegant and fast touring sports car which can be used as a normal utility vehicle for everyday use, but also offers the possibility of being used with success at smaller-style sporting events. [...] As with the 300 SL, Mercedes has dispensed with the tradition-honoured radiator for this new model. The very harmonious front section, however, shows that it is possible to achieve a distinguished, sophisticated line without neglecting the attributes of both fashion and practicality.”

In its October 1955 issue, the US magazine “Road & Track” wrote in a road test about the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL: “The outstanding achievement of the 190 SL is without doubt its quality in design and workmanship. But a close second is the general feeling of solidity which it immediately conveys. [...] The car is at its best at high speeds.”

The “Automobil Revue”, Switzerland, wrote in its issue of 14 November 1956: “Despite its high performance, the 190 SL is not really a sports car, but an uncomplicated, serious touring car with all four wheels firmly on the ground, as it were. Thanks to its exemplary handling characteristics, it is one of the very few types of vehicle that allow one to reach the highest average speeds in complete safety without haste and with full consideration for other traffic.”

In 1960, “auto motor und sport”, Germany, Issue 15/1960, published a detailed test report on the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL: “The 190 SL owes its good reputation not only to its elegant appearance, but equally to its robustness and reliability and its precise handling characteristics. The quality craftsmanship of the body and roadster top are worthy of special mention.”

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (W 198)

“Motor-Revue”, Germany, published a first driving report in its spring issue 21/1957. The test driver wrote: “When using the prescribed tyres, the 300 SL Roadster can be accelerated with the front wheels turned in at critical cornering speeds without showing the slightest tendency to break away. These lamb-like characteristics of a – depending on the axle ratio – 235-250 km/h sports car with tremendous acceleration, basically due to soft suspension and excellent matching, make the new Roadster the most powerful and at the same time safest car I have ever met. Even with the soft top down, I find the complete absence of vibrations, droning and resonance inside the car very remarkable – which is also down to the careful matching of the roll cage, suspension and wheels, which has been perfectly achieved.”

Mercedes-Benz SL of the W 113 model series

The specialist magazine “auto motor und sport”, Germany, Issue 6/1963, characterised the Mercedes-Benz 230 SL: “A sports car that reaches 200 km/h, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 10 seconds and has the smooth engine running and comfort of a touring car.”

A detailed test report in “auto motor und sport”, Germany, Issue 21/1963, added: “The conclusion is that the 230 SL is one of the most refined sports cars ever made. Nevertheless, it deserves to be counted amongst the genuinely sporty cars, because it not only achieves sporty performance, but is also as manageable and safe to drive as one would expect from a sports car. [...] And finally: you can drive the 230 SL very fast, but you can also use it to maintain the dawdling pace that road traffic so often forces upon you.”

“Road & Track” took a close look at the 280 SL in Issue 8/1968: “The ride, over all sorts of roads, is fantastic. The body is absolutely rigid and rattle-free, regardless of which top is installed, and the supple suspension just works away down there without disturbing the superb poise of the SL.” 

Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 107 model series

In a first test of the Mercedes-Benz 350 SL, “auto motor und sport”, Germany, Issue 9/1971, wrote: “The main feature of the 350 SL proved to be the good suspension comfort, which can definitely be measured by limousine standards: at both slow and fast speeds, large bumps were managed well and small ones absorbed in such a way that they never become annoying, even on very bad roads.”

In 1986, “Road & Track”, USA, Issue 11/1986, compared the Mercedes-Benz 560 SL, already in its last production era, with the Cadillac Allanté, and summed up: “Legendary quality is Mercedes’ primary stock in trade, but brilliant performance and outstanding ABS braking have freshened it this year. Against these attributes, Cadillac brings better handling and greater luxury to bear while failing to match Mercedes’ performance and quality.”

“auto motor und sport”, Germany, wrote about the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL in Issue 5/1986: “Even in bends, the SL [modified with a new engine] exhibits behaviour that does not fit in at all with the way it is generally perceived. With its precise power steering, very high potential lateral accelerations and now only slight load alteration effects, this sedate-looking car with a long bonnet offers pretty much exactly what one expects from a thoroughbred Gran Turismo.”

Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 129 model series

Shortly after the premiere of the Mercedes-Benz SL 500, “auto motor und sport”, Germany, Issue 16/1989, wrote: “In general, the new SL is unsurpassed by any sports car in terms of passive safety. Apart from the sophisticated body construction and the optional airbags for driver and front passenger, the automatically deployed roll-over bar also takes away the fear of roll-overs. A little residual fear must have remained, because auto motor und sport did not attempt to put the function to the test.”

The American trade magazine “Road & Track”, Issue 3/1993, test-drove the twelve-cylinder Mercedes-Benz 600 SL: “Drive the 600 SL, however, and the change is dramatic. Although the 500 SL provides everything we expect from a Mercedes (a 0-60-mph time of 6.4 seconds, fine handling and safety), the V-12 just adds another dimension to this luxury sports car. Some of that is pure power. Time to 60 mph – by our watch – drops another 0.4 sec., but what impresses most is all that torque lying in wait when you kick the 4-speed down a gear or two. Add the matter of smoothness – the smoothness of power that builds strongly rather than erupts, and the aural smoothness of the engine’s hum in the background, even at full throttle.”

In a test report, “auto motor und sport”, Germany, Issue 16/1998, wrote about the Mercedes-Benz SL 500: “For nine years, the Mercedes SL 500 has embodied a highly cultivated blend of performance, safety and comfort. This philosophy includes the standard automatic transmission as well as the perfected juxtaposition of two roofs.”

Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 230 model series

In a test report on the Mercedes-Benz SL R 230 model series, “auto motor und sport”, Germany, Issue 12/2004, noted the following about the SL 500: “Plenty of comfort, plenty of safety, the dignified design, a touch of sportiness, horsepower à la carte, plenty of fresh air and, most recently, a hardtop in the boot – this rare mixture secures the two-seater a special position that makes it almost unrivalled”.

The stages of open-top driving in a Mercedes-Benz SL 350 were described by “autorevue”, Austria, Issue 7/2008: “Climate stages as the cool dusk falls: first you raise the front and rear side windows, then you ask the passenger to open the draught stop [...]. Then you might switch off the seat ventilation and switch on the heated seats. The climate control fans out basic warmth. Next comes the Airscarf in three heat settings, that seductive warm-air neck blower (which you will then miss on your settee in the sitting room). Finally, there is the grand roof finale in all its glory, and all is well.”

Shortly after the debut of the Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series, “Road & Track”, USA, Issue 1/2009, enthused: “Will anyone buy an SL 65 AMG Black Series for street use? Probably not. But for those few who might, the car is quite civilized on the road. The ride is firm, but not overly so. To truly appreciate the incredible prowess of the SL Black Series, take the car to the track. Its sheer power and speed, together with confidence-inspiring handling, make it one of the most satisfying supercars in the world.”

Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 231 model series

“autorevue”, Austria, judged the Mercedes-Benz SL 500 like this in Issue 6/2012: “The build quality, feel and functionality are simply superb, even if you apply the very highest standards. The SL remains the most compact way to drive a luxury saloon, even if it has noticeably increased in dimensions both inside and out.”

“sport auto”, Germany, wrote in its test report on the SL 63 AMG with performance package in Issue 9/2012: “The 564 hp SL 63 AMG is adept at bringing its elemental power to bear on the asphalt. The traction offered by the rear-axle limited-slip differential deserves praise.”

“Auto Zeitung”, Germany, in Issue 11/2016 about the Mercedes-Benz SL 400: “For decades, Mercedes has set the standard for luxurious, open two-seaters par excellence with the SL. [...] But this new one will appeal not only to SL traditionalists and aesthetes. Technical improvements include roof actuation up to 40 km/h after starting, the new standard LED Intelligent Light System as well as the partly optional arsenal of updated assistance systems from crash avoidance to lane keeping and lane change aids to the friendly parking butler that finds parking spaces and takes over the steering work.”