For 55 years, the SL-Class has been one of the most beautiful automobiles in the Mercedes lineup. It might have lost its flagship status in the last few years since the SLR McLaren stormed onto the scene, but in many hearts, this car represents the symbol of wealth--a car to buy when we're financially successful.

For 55 years, the SL-Class has been one of the most beautiful automobiles in the Mercedes lineup.

Yet its name doesn't quite fit the purpose anymore. SL originally meant 'sport' and 'light'; at 4,222 lbs (1,915 kg), this roadster can hardly be called a featherweight. But that doesn't matter, because if you can afford it, your wallet isn't light either.

Silky-smooth engine
The 382-horsepower, 5.5-litre V8 that powers many Mercedes-Benz models is one of my favourites. Okay, it sounds like a pussy cat compared to the AMG 6.2-litre V8, but the 5.5's assignment is to get the vehicle it's bolted into down the road in utter smoothness.

No matter how you apply the throttle, the V8 and the 7-speed automatic respond with fluid downshifts and deep, muted engine sounds. They never feel strained and don't want to be, yet 0-100 km/h sprints are completed in 5.7 seconds, while the quarter mile blows by in 13.8 seconds at 161 km/h.

On the highway, the SL550 seems to glide over the surface with a calmness that makes a $125,000 car worth its lofty price. At 100 km/h, the V8 is humming along at 1,500 rpm and probably playing a game of solitaire while waiting for some real exercise.

The automatic transmission offers three modes: C for comfort, S for sport and M for manual. The comfort mode obviously provides the slowest reactions to throttle inputs, in order to ease fuel consumption. We're averaging 12.5 L/100 km behind the wheel of the SL550, which is pretty good. Okay, it might be irrelevant for a typical SL buyer, but I'm impressed, anyway.

The 382-horsepower, 5.5-litre V8 that powers many Mercedes-Benz models is one of my favourites.