Mercedes SLK Roadster SLK320

REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

A final breath of fresh air

The SL still has the distinction of being the oldest convertible marketed by Mercedes-Benz. Only for a few more months, though, since the illustrious car-builder announced a replacement earlier this year.

In the meantime, Mercedes has asked the SL to take to the streets once again without even the slightest change.Yes, the expensive retractable hardtop is still included on the list of options, but it’s well worth the price. After all, it lets you tan the top of your head or get a new perspective on falling snowflakes or whatever else Mother Nature decides to throw your way. You can watch the show seated in comfortable , multi-contour bucket seats, in an environment where accessories are as impressive for their number as for their easy access. On the down side is the lack of a glass rear windshield on a vehicle in this price range (the Miata has one), interior room is barely adequate for taller people and a tiny trunk forces users to travel light.Two years ago, the SL500 lost some power and some torque, but kept every bit of its personality. Take for example its 339 pound-feet: they kick in at a lower rpm level than before and they’ll have you dreaming of just how good a race-car driver you could be. Rest assured that performance levels are as high as ever, though this model’s fuel consumption is high (especially with the SL600’s V12).

This said, consumers appreciate both models (SL500 and SL600) for their unshakable road grip, impeccable shock absorption and super-powerful brakes, a much sought-after technological mix that makes driving very safe, to the point of being a tad boring for anyone who likes excitement behind the wheel. Over time, users will begin to hold this model’s lack of agility and size against it, while eventually realizing that winding roads don’t bring out the best in these cars. Not very young anymore and not very economical either, the SL roadster still proves itself to be a sound investment and a car that’s much more reliable than many of its pricier rivals.

PROS
Smooth V8 Instant classic
Constant technological developments

CONS
Thirsty V12 Only 2 places
Unexciting driveability

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Mercedes SL Roadster SL500

REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

A final breath of fresh air

The SL still has the distinction of being the oldest convertible marketed by Mercedes-Benz. Only for a few more months, though, since the illustrious car-builder announced a replacement earlier this year.

In the meantime, Mercedes has asked the SL to take to the streets once again without even the slightest change.Yes, the expensive retractable hardtop is still included on the list of options, but it’s well worth the price. After all, it lets you tan the top of your head or get a new perspective on falling snowflakes or whatever else Mother Nature decides to throw your way. You can watch the show seated in comfortable , multi-contour bucket seats, in an environment where accessories are as impressive for their number as for their easy access. On the down side is the lack of a glass rear windshield on a vehicle in this price range (the Miata has one), interior room is barely adequate for taller people and a tiny trunk forces users to travel light.Two years ago, the SL500 lost some power and some torque, but kept every bit of its personality. Take for example its 339 pound-feet: they kick in at a lower rpm level than before and they’ll have you dreaming of just how good a race-car driver you could be. Rest assured that performance levels are as high as ever, though this model’s fuel consumption is high (especially with the SL600’s V12).

This said, consumers appreciate both models (SL500 and SL600) for their unshakable road grip, impeccable shock absorption and super-powerful brakes, a much sought-after technological mix that makes driving very safe, to the point of being a tad boring for anyone who likes excitement behind the wheel. Over time, users will begin to hold this model’s lack of agility and size against it, while eventually realizing that winding roads don’t bring out the best in these cars. Not very young anymore and not very economical either, the SL roadster still proves itself to be a sound investment and a car that’s much more reliable than many of its pricier rivals.

PROS
Smooth V8 Instant classic
Constant technological developments

CONS
Thirsty V12 Only 2 places
Unexciting driveability

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Mercedes S-Class Sedan S500

REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

Making you more Intelligent

Without a doubt, the S-Class is a veritable technology glutton. In this vehicle, it seems that the famous carmaker has concentrated all of its expertise in a single model (the Stuttgart engineering team has applied for more than 300 patents for this car). And it costs less than the model it’s replacing. What more could buyers ask?You haven’t closed the door properly after you climbed aboard? Don’t bother, one of the S-Class’s electric systems takes care of the problem for you. And this isn’t the only system destined to make life easy for you. As soon as a passenger gets into the rear seat, a headrest pops out automatically from the seat back. You have to call your office? The computerized secretary (yes, ladies, it does have a female voice) will dial the number you dictate. Your attention has wandered away from the road during your telephone conversation? If you’ve engaged the cruise control mechanism it will automatically keep your vehicle at a safe and reasonable distance from the one in front of you and it will even brake if needed. Impressed? You’ve haven’t heard it all. The S- Class is replete with accessories of the same high-tech type.

Multi-function seats can keep you nice and warm or can ventilate your backside to keep it nice and cool - it all depends. You can adjust the seat length to accommodate your size and it even massages you as you drive along. Heaven!

So is this S-Class the work of angels? From a lot of standpoints, yes it is. But it does have a few flaws. The first: its heavily overloaded instrument panel. Ten fingers aren’t enough to count them on and as a result, you’ll have to spend a few hours reading the owner’s manual and experimenting to find out exactly how т everything works. Strangely enough, the second drawback is equipment. For example, despite this model’s asking price, Mercedes persists in billing the CD player separately. The third dubious point concerns the quality of certain materials, like the plastic used to mould the glove box. Definitely low-end! A fourth negative point is the rear room, a bit tight if you happen to be travelling with a party of five. And lastly, another gripe is the trunk. It’s well finished, but buyers have a right to expect more volume given the car’s overall dimensions.The old S-Class was a favourite target of environmentalists who objected to its size, its weight and its resulting high fuel consumption. The new model may well calm them down. Not only is it more compact and lighter (more extensive use of aluminium has led to a 300-kg drop in weight), it needs a whole lot less fuel to get you around. Once again, technology (read: electronics) came to the rescue. But before delving into the realm of microprocessors and other electronic features, let’s talk nuts and bolts.

Under its hood, the S-Class can choose from 4 engine: a 4.3 liter V8 (275 HP), a 5.0 liter V8 (302 HP), a 5.8 liter V12 (362 HP) or a 5.4 liter AMG V8 (349 HP). Each power trains is sublime and their efficiency, smoothness and speed is a perfect match for this magnificent sedan.

To drive the rear wheels, Mercedes uses a five-speed semi- automatic transmission which seemed less than perfect at times during our test driving sessions. In fact, on two occasions during strong acceleration in the automatic mode the transmission was unable to deliver enough power, creating the impression of driving in neutral. When informed of these incidents, a Mercedes engineer who happened to be on hand at the track was puzzled. Was it defective electrical management? Who knows, as the incident was never repeated.

Judging by its exterior dimensions, it’s easy to think that the S- Class isn’t entirely comfortable with winding roads or city driving. Wrong! Its rack-and-pinion steering (in the past this sedan featured a ball steering system) is extremely precise and assistance is well gauged, so the model has the agility that its predecessor never had and its turning radius is shorter. While this Mercedes is fairly good at cornering, it does give the driver the feeling of being at the wheel of a car that is relatively heavy after all.

The air suspension, as complex as everything else on the S-Class, lets you adjust shock absorption by simply pressing a button on the instrument panel and you can even lift the vehicle 35 mm higher if you want to negotiate a slightly high curb. Amazing.

And without the driver having to do a single thing, at speeds of over 140 km/h this same suspension will lower the vehicle by 15 mm to optimize road stability and the aerodynamic effect. Still, the car does tend to show some roll, though it is well controlled, and the suspension tends to hop slightly - just slightly, trust me - on poor road surfaces. What about braking? Well, it’s powerful and easy to gauge - in other words, ideal!

There can be no doubt that the S-Class redefines the criteria for luxury sedans. Lighter, more fun to drive and more comfortable, in return this Mercedes requires that you take a good long look at the owner’s manual to appreciate fully its quintessential qualities!

PROS
Technical sophistication
Comfort level of a flying carpet
Solid and lively mechanics

CONS
Transmission a little slow
Some normally standard accessories are now options
Dashboard overload

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Mercedes ML-Class ML320 Classic

REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

Off-road dragster

Mercedes has been expanding its M Class, by offering the ML55 for performance enthusiasts. A real dirt road dragster, this version is powered by a 349hp, 5.4-litre V8. It’s enough to bristle the hair on your neck. To get a better feel of the beast, Mercedes added downhill traction control and an improved steering rack.Rodin himself would admire the shape of this model’s comfortable seats, sleek and covered in leather if you choose the Elegance packaging. However, he wouldn’t have been very impressed with the instrument panel, including a forest of levers springing out of the steering column. Another oversight - the air conditioning system doesn’t let front seat passengers regulate temperature individually. The rear modular seat may have three headrests, but passengers have to deal with narrow doors as they climb aboard. In short, finish is exquisite but the quality of some materials is surprising on a vehicle of this caliber. Mercedes pulls out all the stops when it comes to safety, though: the M- Class has two conventional airbags and two others housed in the doors, in case of side impact. Reassuring!Keep in mind that under its utility guise, the M-Class is first and foremost a Mercedes, in other words a vehicle with the very latest technology in active and passive safety devices. On the road, forget the imprecise steering systems that plague its rivals; the M-Class rides like a real automobile: tight turning radius, clean steering, a well calibrated suspension (independent in the rear) and brakes that are the height of efficiency. The engine of choice is the new 3.2-liter 3-valve per cylinder V6, which may not have the sound and the apparent smoothness of the in-line six-cylinder, but is perfectly good at getting its job done nonetheless. The torque-generous V6 reaches very acceptable performance levels, and you have to wonder why it’s worth investing in the 288 hp 5.0-liter V8 available on the ML 500. This model’s 215 horses are controlled by an excellent five-speed automatic transmission, the only one available. For those who crave technology and off-road adventure, the M-Class’s all-wheel drive is based on the ETS (Electronic Traction System), which controls the three differentials that are part of the vehicle’s features (one in the front, one in the middle and a third in the rear).

PROS
Off-road capabilities
Short turning radius
Passenger and cargo space

CONS
Some inferior quality materials
Fuel economy
Complexity

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Mercedes G-Class G500

REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

German mountain goat

Does the world needs another 4×4 ? DaimlerChrysler is thinking so. The goal is to compete, in the news at least, with the Hummer ( GM ). To achieve this task, the easiest way is to import the sturdy G-Wagen from the European market. This military-designed SUV is sold there since… 1979 ! Ironically, it is smaller, slower, heavier and more expensive than Mercedes own ML truck ! But the point is exclusivity, not relevance.Another difference is in the chassis layout: body on frame construction and rigid axles at each end. That ’ s the opposite of the current trend, with unitbody and independent suspension. To confirm that this beast will be a true off-road machine, it is possible to lock all 3 differential from inside the truck.The only engine to be found under the bonnet is the well-known 5.0 liter V8 ( 282 HP ). At 2475 kg, this brute will need all the ponies available. Mercedes will retail this German Jeep somewhere north of 100 000$. This way, exclusivity is guaranteed to the happy few that will park one in their driveway. And this will provide less exposure to Range Rover and Hummer in the magazines, the true objective of this addition to the luxury 4×4 market.

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Mercedes E-Class Wagon E320

REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

A break from innovation

The market niche occupied by the Mercedes E-Class is by far one of the busiest and most exciting in the entire automotive industry and to keep its place in the sun, two years ago it emerged with a host of innovations. In the styling department, its designers touched up the model’s lines, softening the hood angle, for example. This year, things are a bit less frenetic at Mercedes and only a few details have been changed on this lineup.An ideal driving position, detailed instrumentation, a high number of practical accessories (provided your budget can stretch that far). What is there to criticize? Well, a few things: the shift lever is as ugly as it is oversized; the trunk is only average-sized and shamefully deprived of a cargo net (unless you choose it as an option); visibility to the side isn’t excellent either, and it can make changing lanes a tricky business. Furthermore, when it’s raining hard the single windshield wiper has its work cut out for it. A brief comment on the number and cost of options: astronomical! Headlamp washers, orthopedic seats, reading lights for rear-seat passengers are all optional. Reach for the stars - and your wallet!With almost perfect weight distribution, the E achieves good balance. Even the recirculating ball steering system is extremely precise and the tight turning radius makes for very easy manoeuvring in the city. The firm suspension is completely comfortable and eliminates all roll when cornering. As for engines, the 3.2-liter V6 (E320) is remarkably peppy and a perfect partner for the smooth and well-calibrated 5-speed automatic transmission. And the 4.3- liter V8 (E430) is no slouch either. Only one fly in the ointment, the 5-speed automatic transmission chosen to match this engine is punished by a gas pedal that isn’t progressive enough (a flaw not found on the E320). As a result, at faster speeds the transmission gets "confused" and can’t seem to make up its mind on which gear to select. And what about the 5.4-liter V8? Fantastic! This engine has power to spare and offers astounding performance levels. How about brakes? Herculean strength is their main characteristic. All things considered, there can be no doubt that the improvements brought to the E-Class make it even more attractive than it already was.

PROS
Consistently high quality
Powerful brakes
Powerful engines

CONS
Limited trunk space
Lateral visibility
Long list of expensive options

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Mercedes E-Class Sedan E320

REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

A break from innovation

The market niche occupied by the Mercedes E-Class is by far one of the busiest and most exciting in the entire automotive industry and to keep its place in the sun, two years ago it emerged with a host of innovations. In the styling department, its designers touched up the model’s lines, softening the hood angle, for example. This year, things are a bit less frenetic at Mercedes and only a few details have been changed on this lineup.An ideal driving position, detailed instrumentation, a high number of practical accessories (provided your budget can stretch that far). What is there to criticize? Well, a few things: the shift lever is as ugly as it is oversized; the trunk is only average-sized and shamefully deprived of a cargo net (unless you choose it as an option); visibility to the side isn’t excellent either, and it can make changing lanes a tricky business. Furthermore, when it’s raining hard the single windshield wiper has its work cut out for it. A brief comment on the number and cost of options: astronomical! Headlamp washers, orthopedic seats, reading lights for rear-seat passengers are all optional. Reach for the stars - and your wallet!With almost perfect weight distribution, the E achieves good balance. Even the recirculating ball steering system is extremely precise and the tight turning radius makes for very easy manoeuvring in the city. The firm suspension is completely comfortable and eliminates all roll when cornering. As for engines, the 3.2-liter V6 (E320) is remarkably peppy and a perfect partner for the smooth and well-calibrated 5-speed automatic transmission. And the 4.3- liter V8 (E430) is no slouch either. Only one fly in the ointment, the 5-speed automatic transmission chosen to match this engine is punished by a gas pedal that isn’t progressive enough (a flaw not found on the E320). As a result, at faster speeds the transmission gets "confused" and can’t seem to make up its mind on which gear to select. And what about the 5.4-liter V8? Fantastic! This engine has power to spare and offers astounding performance levels. How about brakes? Herculean strength is their main characteristic. All things considered, there can be no doubt that the improvements brought to the E-Class make it even more attractive than it already was.

PROS
Consistently high quality
Powerful brakes
Powerful engines

CONS
Limited trunk space
Lateral visibility
Long list of expensive options

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Mercedes CLK Coupe CLK320

REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

Once in a while does no harm

In the past, Mercedes has never shown a particularly talented hand when it came to designing coupes, or even convertibles.

While these body types are usually associated with strong emotions and extra creativity, its models looked more like sedans, minus two doors. This being said, the CLK makes a welcome break with tradition in the form of an appealing blend between the E-Class (esthetics) and the older C-Class (chassis).Doors open onto a bright and attractive interior. Tasteful wood inlays share space with the luxurious leather on the console and doors. The list of accessories and innovations is every bit as impressive as the remote control electronic key that lets you roll down windows and open the sunroof automatically so the car will be nice and cool by the time you get inside. Wonderful! As is the voice-controlled Command system, until recently reserved exclusively for the S-Class.

Bucket seats may seem a bit firm at first but as the kilometres fly by, they prove to be extremely comfortable, with just the right amount of support. It’s too bad that to add to comfort, Mercedes set aside the idea of offering fulling adjustable seat belts for front-seat passengers and decided on a steering column that’s depth-, but not height- adjustable. Given the limited headroom and leg room, rear seats are best suited to children, all the more so since rear visibility is barely adequate for certain specific types of manoeuvres. Luckily, rear seats fold down to provide more room than the small trunk can provide on its own.Besides distinctive styling, a coupe should offer performance levels that are more electrifying than anything you can find on a sedan. Although it’s lighter than the C-Class, the CLK320 coupe offers respectable capabilities on the road, and in comparison it gets along better than the Volvo C70, even though the latter is peppier. In its defence, buyers should note that Mercedes uses a fairly sluggish and unresponsive automatic transmission in tandem with its 3.2-liter six- cylinder engine. For a more exciting ride, motorists should choose the 4.3-liter V8. Solid, energetic and powerful, this V8 unquestionably spells a certain loss of agility for the CLK, but it has quite a personality! If you’re really out for excitement, go for the CLK 55 AMG and its strong 5.5-liter V8 (342 horses).

Regardless of what powertrain you choose, from the road stability standpoint the CLK is something else! This Mercedes is particularly fond of wide-open curves, where it can really show its mettle. The suspension is stiff on bumpy roads, but never to the point of making passengers uncomfortable. In addition, its short turning radius contributes to the CLK’s good handling. On the down side, the steering system provides minimal feedback on road conditions.

With a personality more remarkable for its classiness than its sportiness (with the exception of the CLK 55 AMG), the CLK coupe still has a number of qualities, most notably more refinement and smoothness than many of its rivals.

PROS
Exceptional manufacturing quality
Proven handling ease
Powerful V8

CONS
Heavy feel
Unresponsive and balky transmission

Germany

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Mercedes CLK Convertible CLK320

REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

Once in a while does no harm

In the past, Mercedes has never shown a particularly talented hand when it came to designing coupes, or even convertibles.

While these body types are usually associated with strong emotions and extra creativity, its models looked more like sedans, minus two doors. This being said, the CLK makes a welcome break with tradition in the form of an appealing blend between the E-Class (esthetics) and the older C-Class (chassis).Doors open onto a bright and attractive interior. Tasteful wood inlays share space with the luxurious leather on the console and doors. The list of accessories and innovations is every bit as impressive as the remote control electronic key that lets you roll down windows and open the sunroof automatically so the car will be nice and cool by the time you get inside. Wonderful! As is the voice-controlled Command system, until recently reserved exclusively for the S-Class.

Bucket seats may seem a bit firm at first but as the kilometres fly by, they prove to be extremely comfortable, with just the right amount of support. It’s too bad that to add to comfort, Mercedes set aside the idea of offering fulling adjustable seat belts for front-seat passengers and decided on a steering column that’s depth-, but not height- adjustable. Given the limited headroom and leg room, rear seats are best suited to children, all the more so since rear visibility is barely adequate for certain specific types of manoeuvres. Luckily, rear seats fold down to provide more room than the small trunk can provide on its own.Besides distinctive styling, a coupe should offer performance levels that are more electrifying than anything you can find on a sedan. Although it’s lighter than the C-Class, the CLK320 coupe offers respectable capabilities on the road, and in comparison it gets along better than the Volvo C70, even though the latter is peppier. In its defence, buyers should note that Mercedes uses a fairly sluggish and unresponsive automatic transmission in tandem with its 3.2-liter six- cylinder engine. For a more exciting ride, motorists should choose the 4.3-liter V8. Solid, energetic and powerful, this V8 unquestionably spells a certain loss of agility for the CLK, but it has quite a personality! If you’re really out for excitement, go for the CLK 55 AMG and its strong 5.5-liter V8 (342 horses).

Regardless of what powertrain you choose, from the road stability standpoint the CLK is something else! This Mercedes is particularly fond of wide-open curves, where it can really show its mettle. The suspension is stiff on bumpy roads, but never to the point of making passengers uncomfortable. In addition, its short turning radius contributes to the CLK’s good handling. On the down side, the steering system provides minimal feedback on road conditions.

With a personality more remarkable for its classiness than its sportiness (with the exception of the CLK 55 AMG), the CLK coupe still has a number of qualities, most notably more refinement and smoothness than many of its rivals.

PROS
Exceptional manufacturing quality
Proven handling ease
Powerful V8

CONS
Heavy feel
Unresponsive and balky transmission

Germany

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Mercedes CL Coupe CL500

REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

The excellence of coupe design

You know you’re driving something special when owners of BMW 540s are turning positively emerald with envy. It’s the second most expensive trim level of Mercedes’ most expensive model. Its bigger brother–the V12 powered CL600–is the most expensive model in the German firm’s lineup. Saying that the inside of a $122,900 Mercedes-Benz is luxurious must rank as some sort of record in the understatement category. Suffice it to say that the leather is sumptuous and the finish almost beyond impeccable.

However, I still don’t like the computerized functions built into the navigational system. I have no complaint with the global positioning system itself, but I do have a beef with Mercedes’ decision to incorporate the audio system controls into it as well. Whether it’s because the GPS screen took up space normally reserved for the switches and buttons (Mercedes’ story) or that the company’s engineers simply couldn’t resist the temptation to digitize more stuff with all that computing power at their fingertips (my opinion), the system simply doesn’t work. What was once simply a task of twiddling a knob now requires flicking through screen menus, and not always successfully at that. That being said, the Bose sound system with 6-disc CD changer produces sounds worthy of the badge on the hood.

The CL must also rank as one of the safest cars on the planet. Besides the crash-resistant frame, there’s dual- inflation rate front airbags, side airbags, a BabySmart system that automatically deactivates the passenger-side front airbag, head protection curtains that cushion the noggins of both front and rear passengers, and head restraints that automatically adjust for height.The CL500 is neither the fastest nor the swerviest of automobiles (though it has ample doses of both power and handling), but it just may be the calmest. Like other more pedestrian automobiles, the biggest Mercedes coupe is made up of thousands of pieces, both large and small, joined by welding, stitching and even glue. Yet drive a CL for even a short time and you’ll be convinced that the darn thing is carved from one giant steel ingot.

Other car manufacturers measure this rigidity by noting how few millimetres their chassis deflects under so many tons of force. Well, I don’t think that anything short of a runaway locomotive plowing into its rump would have any effect on the big Mercedes. Run it through the largest crevasse multi-potholed roads can offer and the CL500 simply rolls through with nary a quiver.

It’s helped by something Mercedes calls Active Body Control (ABC), but which by any name is an active suspension system like those banned in Formula 1 racing. Rather than just resisting body roll in corners, ABC actively works against it, letting the heavy Mercedes do a fair impression of a Ferrari. And because the system is computer-controlled, when not hustling through corners, the CL’s suspension remains land-yacht-soft so nothing intrudes into the passengers’ calm. The same 2900 psi hydraulic system lowers the CL500 at speed for better road-holding. It also minimizes the diving and squatting that occurs because of weight transfer during acceleration and braking. No matter how hard you push it, absolutely nothing unsettles the CL500.

And with 302 horsepower available from its 5.0 litre V8, there’s much pushing to be had. Only if you’ve driven the CL600’s monstrous V12 does the CL500 feel anything other than supremely rapid. Mercedes claims a scant 6.1 seconds is required to 60 mph (96 km/h), a figure made all the more impressive by the CL’s 1,867 kilogram weight. The engine is also terribly sophisticated, never daring to emit either a harsh vibration or a non-melodious valve train clatter.

My typical complaint regarding Mercedes — the company’s automatic transmission — has also been somewhat alleviated. Or maybe the driver-adaptive control the brochure brags about really does work. Mercedes’ 5-speed automatics typically start out in second gear; smoother takeoffs says the company. The only problem is that downshifting in the lower gears is usually discouraged so that when full-warp-speed is finally generated, the gear change is often abrupt.

On the active safety side, there are anti-lock brakes, of course, as well as traction control, but Mercedes’ Electronic Stability Control also prevents oversteer and understeer.

PROS
Ride and handling
 Acceleration and braking
Workmanship

CONS
Fuel economy
Cargo space
Indecent price

Germany

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