Another legion of Mercedes reviews has marched into the eMercedesBenz offices today, with no less than four distinct Mercedes models put their paces for your reading entertainment.  The Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG, the C63 AMG, the CL550 and the B180 CDI Sport - these are the chosen ones, so if you're in the market for any, keep reading to find out what reviewers thought of each.

As is the case with all our Mercedes Review Roundup installments, you can find excerpts from each review as well as links back the original articles immediately below.

Enjoy.


Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG (via car)
Reviewer's rating:  

"Say what you will about the SLK’s recent facelift, which marks the halfway point in the life of the second generation, but there’s no getting away from the 55 AMG’s menacing presence – our glossy black test car looked both intimidating and understated. The intelligently configured and bank-vault solid cabin is still a lesson in ergonomic clarity. And then there’s that massive 5439cc V8 stuffed into the nose.

Because the 55 was such a hit with buyers in Europe and America, Mercedes decided not to drop the new 6.2-litre V8 into the SLK. Customers like the 5.4-litre – and after just a few miles in the 55, you’ll understand why. It initially doesn't feel that quick - flick the seven-speed automatic transmission into drive, and the SLK wafts along, V8 just ticking over with a lovely liquid burble. Gearshifts are all but imperceptible and with all that torque to draw on, you can make quick and smooth progress without ever going above 3000rpm. And seventh gear is so long legged that 85mph equates to just 2500rpm on the rev counter. But it only takes a quick stab of the throttle to unleash the hand-assembled engine’s massive power.

At 1575kg, the flagship SLK is no lissom lightweight, but with 355bhp at a low 5750rpm and plenty of torque - 375lb ft at 4000rpm – performance is never anything less than neck-straining. Gunned from standstill it will smoke its tyres and bellow its way to 60mph in just under five seconds. Mid-range grunt is just as devastating, the SLK rocketing deep into three figures with ease, those four exhausts spitting out a hard-edged serrated wail.

The chassis rarely feels overwhelmed by all that power – even under provocation it feels unflappable and collected. Stiff too – it’s only over the deepest potholes that there’s the smallest hint of shudder in the car’s rearview mirror. The brakes – massive 340mm front and 330mm rear discs – are superb, easily dealing with the car’s speed with plenty of feel and fade-free fuss."

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Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (via Autocar.co.uk)
Reviewer's rating:  Unspecified

"What is it?  It’s Mercedes’ 451bhp C63 AMG, with a bit extra. AMG’s Performance Pack doesn’t actually turn up the sensational V8’s volume at all, though; the extras are all added elsewhere.  For £3210 you get new springs (10 per cent stiffer), composite brakes, aluminium trim, a leather/Alcantara steering wheel and, most notably, a locking rear differential.

What’s it like?  Well, the rear diff and springs do a great job, endowing the C63 with levels of traction and lateral grip that regular AMG pilots may not be accustomed to.  You will have to try very hard to unstick the C63, and even if you do, the diff will make sure that things have progressively enough for you to cope. The brakes have terrific stopping power, too, and decent pedal feel.

The best bits of the C-class’s cabin remain, including fantastic bucket seats, and the AMG steering wheel is a delight to hold.
Now, the downsides: the diff is a tad noisy (its whine becomes intrusive after a while) and the trade-off for that rigid chassis is a ride that borders on uncomfortable; it tramlines a bit, too.
Our test car was fitted with optional 19in wheels, though, so we’d ask for a test drive on 18-inchers before dismissing the suspension."

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Mercedes-Benz CL550 (via ebPublishing)
Reviewer's rating:  Unspecified

While a bit shy of, say, an unobtainable Rolls-Royce or Bentley, the CL represents the finest Mercedes money can buy — and it will take plenty of cash to bring it home.  I normally mention price at the end of a story, but here it is now — $118,665, including a few options (base price $103,100). With that over with, let’s consider what you get for that sizeable sum.

Most noticeable is the sheer beauty and presence of the car. Based on the large S-Class sedan platform, the CL is a pillarless coupe — a rarity these days.  The themes of recent Mercedes products are especially nicely blended here. The side panels swell boldly around the wheelwells, and a deep crease rises from the trailing edge of the front wheelwell and sails over the rear, culminating in a frontleaning taillamp lens. The sharp angle of roofline to rear deck and turned-up headlamps all contribute to a vigorous, sporty look.

Inside, you’ll find every luxury you can imagine. A stunning blend of traditional leather and wood and top-quality plastics swirl about you in athletic motion. The wood-covered central console puffs out its chest proudly. Buttons for many features have a high-quality, metallic touch. The small, central analog clock looks like one of those stratospherically priced watches that hide in glass cases at upscale jewelers. The cognac and black leather on my 14-way adjustable heated seats was about as fine as you could want.

My Pewter CL550 featured the standard 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. With 382 horsepower and 391 lb.-ft. of torque on tap through a sevenspeed adaptable automatic transmission, the 4,486-pound car dashes from 0-60 in just 5.4 seconds. The automatic features adaptive shift logic — it conforms to your driving style — and touch shift for near-instant manual gear changes if you so desire.

For all its complexity, the CL550 is a pleasant traveling companion. My son nearly cried when I had to return it. Some weeks are simply better than others, I explained."

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Mercedes-Benz B180 CDI Sport (via Autocar.co.uk)
Reviewer's rating:  Unspecified

"What is it?   A mild mid-life makeover for Mercedes compact MPV, bringing some aesthetic revisions and spec tweaks – and a good chance to re-acquainted with the A-Class’s bigger brother.

Of most relevance will be fuel economy improvements across the range, with the smaller petrol enignes getting the option of Merc’s ECO stop-start system and the diesel versions getting revised engine tuning. Both 180CDI and 200CDI versions of the B-Class use the same 2.0-litre common rail diesel engine, but in different states of tune – with the 108bhp ‘180’ being the most popular – and sensible – choice.

What’s it like?  As you’d expect from such minor tweakery, pretty much identical to the original. The revised styling is almost unnoticeable, but inside the cabin a revised audio system looks and sounds better than the previous offering.

It’s no more useful than before. The cabin is airy and roomy, but despite being over a foot longer than the A-Class it’s based on, the B-Class feels barely any more spacious for front or rear seat occupants.  It’s can’t match cheaper mainstream rivals for utility, not least because it only comes with five seats.

Dynamically the B-Class doesn’t deliver any thrills, but it’s a solid-feeling motorway performer.  Our test car came with the optional CVT automatic transmission, which copes well in town but really saps open road performance, and delivers acceleration at the expense of exposure to its very industrial top-end soundtrack.  A shame, because the standard six-speed manual ‘box is a sweet-shifting unit."

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And before I go, a special thanks to our friend Shiv for sending us each of the aforementioned reviews.  As always my good sir, we sincerely appreciate each and every tip.