2008 Mercedes SL-Class pricing and specifications

For the princely sum of $223,000 the new SL-Class could be yours, while for the adventurous with an equally eager wallet, the two high-performance AMG models start from $382,000.

The SL-Class debuts a new direct-steer system which adjusts the steering ratio depending on speed (excluding AMG models), a technology developed in conjunction with Bishop Steering, founded by Australia’s Arthur Bishop.

In addition to bi-xenon headlamps, COMAND multimedia system and convenient airscarf neck-level heating, standard safety features for the SL-Class include:

The SL-Class model line-up is comprised of five variations, the SL 350, SL 500, SL 600, SL 63 AMG and SL 65 AMG, ranging in power from 232kW to numbers so staggering its best to just read on.

The SL 63 AMG is powered by something Mercedes colourfully describe as an atmospherically-charged 6.3-litre V8 engine - as opposed to the supercharged 5.4-litre V8 engine of its predecessor - and swaps cogs exclusively with the all-new AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission.

The only thing more staggering than the 386kW of power and 630Nm produced by its V8 engine is the fact that it is still only the first of two AMG models.

The SL 65 AMG, despite its deceptive namesake, sports a 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine developing a phenomenal 450kW of power and restricted maximum torque of 1000 Newton metres - in a convertible!

Perhaps even more shocking is that rather than breaking the chassis in two when the loud pedal is depressed, the SL 65 AMG instead rockets to 100km/h in just 4.2 seconds and onto an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

At a lazy 1000rpm, the 5980cc AMG V12 already delivers 570Nm at the crankshaft, which jumps to 750Nm with an increase of just 500rpm.

Pricing for each model is as follows:

Mercedes-Benz SL 350 $223,000

Mercedes-Benz SL 500 $306,000

Mercedes-Benz SL 600 $385,000

Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG $382,000

Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG $468,000