By: Henrie Geyser

CLS 350 click to enlarge

CLS 350 click to enlarge

CLS 350 click to enlarge

SLK 200 click to enlarge

SLK 200 click to enlarge

SLK 200 click to enlarge

SL 63 and 65 AMG click to enlarge

SL 63 and 65 AMG click to enlarge

SL 63 AMG click to enlarge

SL 63 AMG click to enlarge

click to enlarge

The upgraded SLK models are the SLK 200 powered by a 1.8-litre, 135kW/250Nm engine and priced at R470,000, the SLK 350 with a V6 that churns out 224kW/360Nm priced at R619,000 and the thundering SLK 55 AMG that has a 5.5-litre V8 engine that muscles out all of 265kW/510Nm for a price tag of R796,000.

The popular CLS four-door coupe has also been substantially rejuvenated and price-injected and the three-model range now consists of the CLS 350 powered by a 3.5-litre V6 that makes 200kW/250Nm costing R675,000, the CLS 500 which comes with a price tag of R825,000 and has a 285kW/530Nm V8 engine, and the muscular CLS AMG which has a stepped up V8 capable of 378kW/630Nm for the price of R1,098,000.

But the real Big Leaguers are the SL variants which start off with the SL 500 that has a 285 kW/530Nm V8 and a price tag of R1,294,000, followed by the R1,76-million SL 600 fitted with a V12 engine that produces 380kW/830 Nm, the SL 63 AMG with a 386kW/630Nm V8 engine and the almighty R2-million plus SL 65 AMG whose V12 bangs out an eye-popping 450kW/1000Nm.

Mercedes-Benz recently brought its entire fleet of new dream cars to Cape Town, invited a group of motoring journalists, gave us the keys and said: “Go play”.

And even though Cape Town brought out all the wind, rain, hail, fog and cold it could muster to try and spoil our fun, it failed miserably.

In fact, in a way the inclement weather did us a huge favour, for when last have you seen a cop manning a speed camera when it's cold and miserable outside? It's so much nicer to sit in the warm confines of a patrol car parked next to the highway, sipping coffee and chatting to a colleague or two.

Anyway, we headed out on the N1, then across to the N2 and over Sir Lowry's Pass for a cup of coffee at the Orchard Farm Stall, driving the CLS 350.

I have always liked this four-door coupe variant because not only is it a lovely car to drive, but it also looks so different from anything else on the road.

OK, so the leg space at the back is a little tight if you are on the tall side, but it is a highly refined cruiser with all the bells and whistles in the world.

And as for motor-mouths like Jeremy Clarkson (he of television fame) saying it looks like a dog having a poo (because of its sloping roof-line), well what do you expect from a chubby Yorkshireman with pot scourer hair who describes South African wine as crap?

The next leg of our journey took us along the beautiful farmlands toward Villiersdorp and over Franschhoek Pass for lunch at the rather clinically posh Tokara wine and olive estate.

This time we had the opportunity to play with the rather mundane (in this exulted company!) SLK 200. And yes, its 1.8 engine is not the stuff of sweaty palms and the cabin is a little tight, with a lay-out that doesn't suit long-armed, fast gear changes unless you enjoy thumping your elbow against the side of the seat.

But it's a gentle car to drive and much loved by hairdressers, interior decorators and blonde estate agents - in fact, by most people who don't want to break the bank and who enjoy two-seater driving and have no race-track aspirations.

The suspension is a little thumpy and road and wind noises are noticeable at legal cruising speeds and above, but it has a lot going for it.

And the world agrees, because since its launch in 1996, sales of this popular roadster are now reaching the half-million mark.

Probably the most popular feature of the SLK is its fancy “vario-roof” which transforms the car from roadster to weatherproof coupe in just a few seconds.

Now, for the first time, the SLK's also come with audio telematics that include hands-free Bluetooth and iPod technology and a Linguatronic voice control system.

SLK 200 buyers now also have the choice of six-speed manual gearshift or five-speed automatic transmission (the fancier 350 comes standard with a 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission and the SLK 55 AMG has the sporty AMG Speedshift 7G-Tronic).

Having been suitably rested and fed, the afternoon was set aside for serious fun and out came the roaring V8's. My thunder-wagon was the stomping SL 63 AMG - all zero to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds of it.

There is no finer sound in the world than a thundering V8 and this chunk of finely-crafted high-powered machinery that blasts out 386kW (that's 525 wild horses in flat-out gallop!) and 630 Newton metres is the stuff that goose-flesh was created for.

Orchestrated through four bazooka-sized outlets the AMG sports exhaust system produces eight-cylinder vocals the likes of which I don't think the Franschhoek Pass mountainside has ever heard before.

It is one hell of a motor car, probably one of the best I have ever had the pleasure to pilot.

I really am not going to bore you with all the fancy equipment you will find in the 63 AMG. It's got everything and lots more than you would expect when you sign a cheque for a few thousand more than R1,6-million.

So let's go straight to the things that really make this one of the most awesome cars on the road, starting with its race-bred Speedshift MCT 7-speed sports transmission.

The driver has four drive modes to choose from, all with an automatic double-declutching function, which means that if you are really motoring on a race track or mountain pass, it changes down as you hit the brakes, “blipping” the engine with a series of glorious gurgle-pops from the exhaust.

This not unique when it comes to super sports cars, but what is, is the Race Start option which takes driving dynamics to an entirely new level: it enables the SL 63 AMG driver to dial in maximum acceleration with optimum traction for blistering take-offs.

This is how it works: while the vehicle is standing still you select the Race Start programme, pull the upshift paddle on the steering wheel once, keep your left foot firmly on the brake pedal, thump down the accelerator and slip your brake foot side-ways off the brake.

Hoo boy, then hold on tightly because you will be slammed into the back of your seat as the beast blasts off and before you can say “Up yours Audi, BMW and Porsche” the electronic nurse-maid will stop the fun with the needle pointing at 250km/h.

It is sensational hedonism which elevates hooliganism to right royal behaviour.

And, what's more, you don't even have to change gears because the auto sports box does it lightning fast for you.

This is a car for the real enthusiast. If you have a trophy yummy or a pretty mummy who rolls her eyes and starts clearling her throat loudly when the speedometer hits 120km/h, then don't even think about the 63 AMG.

But if high-octane runs in your blood you will love this car and all its lovely trademarks such as the classic, chronometer-style instrument gauges which spring into life when you turn on the ignition with the red speedometer and rev counter rotating up to maxim levels and back to zero to show you the SL is ready to race.

It's very difficult not to blubber, prattle and foam from the mouth when talking about this show-off beauty. Just like a sexy naked blonde lady on a horse, the SL 63 AMG is desirable enough to start a small war.

Since the classic “Gullwing” SL entered production in 1957 more than 630,000 SL's have been sold and with good reason, for few luxury sports cars have been as revered as this very special Merc.

If I had the money I would buy a silver SL 63 AMG tomorrow and have a sticker made for the back window: “Sorry kids, here goes your inheritance.”

PS: If the SL 63 AMG is still not venomous enough for you there's always the more powerful six-litre with the V12 engine which is right up there in Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini territory with a 0-100 km/h sprint speed of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 300km/h. All you need is a mere R2,020-million!

[26 May 2008 15:28]

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