Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

The best (and original) folding metal roof in the business just got a little better. The best large GT drop-top in the business bar none.

• Comfort

  You can splurge down to the South of France and still have a spine, or tool through traffic for several hours without feeling trapped. Yes the SL tends toward a firm ride, but it's a heavy car and irons out most stuff that might annoy you. It might not offer the tactile sensations of a tiny, speedy two-seater but that trade off is a good one when it comes to making long distances melt away.

  

• Performance

  The power of the new 231bhp 300SL is adequate, but its rather feeble torque figure is noticeable and you feel a lack of oomph when tackling hills or overtaking. The bigger 3.5-litre V6 350SL is better, but where the 500 simply surfs on a wave of V8 torque, the 350 has to be worked hard to shift the SL's 1,755kg bulk with determination. That's no chore, mind - that 311bhp V6 zings through the mid-range with a refined eagerness that makes whipping it up against its 6,200rpm red line an addictive treat. Its 0-62mph time of 6.2 seconds is not far off the 5.4 seconds recorded by the 5.5-litre V8 SL500. The 600's V12 musters over 500bhp for a 4.5 seconds dash, but the headlines belong to the AMGs. The V8 63 AMG rockets to 62mph in 4.2 seconds, while the V12 biturbo 65 AMG unleashes 612bhp to accelerate to 62mph in just 4.2 seconds. Yet despite these huge figures it's as easy to drive as its smaller sisters.

  

• Cool

  Slightly Pools-winner, chestwig-esque if in the wrong specification, otherwise quite cool. Jeremy Clarkson bought one, so it can't be that cool.

  

• Quality

  Say what you like about Mercedes Benz, they know how to put together a car. They might have had a slightly dodgy reputation over the past few years, but cars like the SL make you realize that engineering is still very much a priority for the firm. Just don't go for a lairy interior combination.

  

• Handling

  It doesn't roll, doesn't pitch, there isn't any scuttle shake roof up or down. You can't help but be impressed with the SL. You might expect something soft but the SL feels as taut as ever even if it is a little on the lardy side thanks to a kit list that can, if you get heavy with the option ticking, be as long as an orang-utang's arm.

  

• Practicality

  The roof is quite intrusive in the 235-litre boot when it gets folded, but otherwise the SL is quite practical in terms of two away for a weekend. Don't expect to get much IKEA flatpack in there.

  

• Running costs

  It's a great-looking, expensive Mercedes, so expect group 20 insurance, high tax, high insurance, low mpg and rock-like residuals.