Have you been longing for a fresh batch of Mercedes reviews that analyze either the Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series, the GL320 BlueTEC, the new-generation SLK-Class range or the new-generation SL-range?  If so, you're in luck ladies and gentlemen, because those are precisely the Mercedes models featured in our newest Review Roundup installment.

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

Enjoy.


Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series (via TopGear)
Reviewer's rating:  Unspecified

"In motoring, it goes without saying that certain things are mutually exclusive. You can't, for instance, have a low-slung sports car which works off road; you can't have a high top speed and good economy; and you can't have your dignity if you also have a small Korean hatchback. Also, despite many claims to the contrary, you can't have a car which performs well on the Nürburgring and on the ring road. Or, at least, you couldn't until now...

You may imagine that the car you see in the pictures is some kind of DTM racer for the road, as hard as nails, as focussed as a laser and impossibly uncomfortable should you ever be asked to drive across, say, Keith Richards's face. 

It isn't. What you're looking at here is the only car I know which really does achieve the impossible. A car that could quite happily get you, and more luggage than you could imagine, actually to Beijing. But which, I suspect, could quite happily bite chunks out of a Porsche turbo's arse on a twisting and deserted piece of Welsh A road.

Initially, it scares you half to death because it seems to be dancing down the road, and then you realise it is dancing. You're just telling it where to go.  I loved this car. Adored it. I loved the noise when it started, a huge bellowing "hello". I loved the speed. I loved the way it looked. And I loved the way that when I took it to a Welsh mountain, it gripped and handled with a panache that would have the Ferrari test drivers nodding sagely. You really can talk about this thing in the same breath as a 430.
But here's the kicker. It's not a Ferrari. It's a Mercedes CLK. And yes, while some of the normal stuff has been binned, it still has an auto gearbox, plumbing for a phone, cruise and that Germanic integrity on a motorway. It even rides properly. I'd say it's smoother than my SLK55.

What's more, because the rear seats have gone - and the EU won't let you put them back in again, in case the moon goes out of orbit or some such nonsense - there is more space in the back than you get in most barns. It even has a system which allows you to play your iPod and see on the dash display what track you're hearing.

See what I mean?  It's a normal car. But it goes like a rocket. And thanks to carbon-ceramic brakes, it stops pretty tidily as well. A Ferrari is awesome in the right place, but buggers its nose everywhere else, and the leather squeaks and the headlights are no good. The Black is brilliant, everywhere, at absolutely everything. By miles and miles, it's my new favourite car."

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Mercedes-Benz GL320 BlueTEC (via Auto123.com)
Reviewer's rating:  

"The 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL is remarkably explosive. While 210 ponies might not sound like a lot, the engine produces nearly 400 pounds-feet of torque at only 1,600 rpm. That's the beauty of diesels. With so much low-end torque, the vehicle is never hesitant off the line, although a bit more juice, while not necessary, would have been appreciated. Fortunately, the torque curve remains strong at most engine speeds, which allows you to exploit the GL to the fullest. I have to admit that the 7-speed automatic transmission also does a wonderful job.

Accelerations from 0 to 100 km/h are completed in 9.5 seconds, while fuel consumption hovers around 11.5 liters per 100 kilometers in the city -- and considerably lower than that on highways and byroads.

Inside, expect to find the same high levels of luxury as in other Mercedes-Benz products. Aside from the complicated ergonomics, particularly the ill-positioned gear selector (right above the left turn signal stalk in typical Mercedes fashion), occupants enjoy top-notch fit and finish as well as theater-like soundproofing.

Driving dynamics are not on par with the segment's top contenders (which has always been true about the GL), but the experience behind the wheel is definitely pleasant and comfortable.

Efficient, luxurious and high-performing, not to mention exclusive to North America, the 2009 GL320 BlueTEC will appeal to Earth-conscious buyers who see clean diesel as part of the solution to protect the environment. Other people, meanwhile, will barely realize that they're driving a diesel."

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Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (via GoAuto)
Reviewer's rating:  Unspecified

"The upgraded SLK is not largely different to the model it replaces, but the various improvements do add up to make the upgraded SLK an impressive vehicle.  The two cars that are the most improved are the SLK200 Kompressor and SLK350, thanks to their upgraded engines, and both are impressive in different ways.

The 200 is actually a lot of fun and will have more than enough punch for many customers. It’s been a while since we drove the SLK Kompressor, so although it’s difficult to tell how much it has been improved it’s clear the newest version has a lot going for it.

The engine has quite a lot of punch down low and the boosted fun continues higher up the rev range, before petering out at around 5000rpm. The strong torque delivery makes it possible to leave the car in a higher gear and let it do its work.

The Kompressor’s strong power delivery is accompanied by a nice, sporty exhaust note that compliments a mild supercharger whine, and an excellent official fuel economy figure of eight litres per 100km is also a positive, except it does demand 98 RON premium fuel.

The SLK350 engine is even better than the figures suggest. While the Kompressor engine is more than enough for most drivers, the V6 delivers V8-style performance and also sounds far more menacing than ever before.

The howl of exhaust gets meaner and meaner as you wind the engine out to 7200rpm and the cut-out. It sounds nice enough when you have the roof up, but simply sounds fantastic when you drop it. It’s a smooth engine and winding it out is a real treat.

While the Kompressor engine is strong down the bottom-end, the naturally-aspirated V6 is meaty all the way through the rev range."

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Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (via GoAuto)
Reviewer's rating:  Unspecified

"It is strange that the SL, which is the most luxurious roadster in the Mercedes-Benz range, is one of the last models to be fitted with the new AMG 6.2-litre V8.  After all, you would think that customers who pay more than $380,000 for a car expect to have the latest and greatest equipment.  Fortunately, we can honestly say that after test driving the SL63 AMG that it really is worth the wait.

Of course, a car that costs this much money is almost certainly going to be a very impressive machine. That said, the 6.2 is without doubt an excellent engine and the drop-top SL allows you to really enjoy it.  The brutal sound of the exhaust note as the car thunders forward with stunning force is up there with any of the best automotive soundtracks you'll ever hear. It is best enjoyed sans-roof, but is also quite audible when you have the roof in place and windows up.

The SL350 has had its engine note improved quite significantly and it really does sound rorty, even at low speeds. And the extra punch brought about with the changes is welcome.  This model feels more like a sportscar than the car with the previous V6, which did feel sluggish at times.

What's not surprising is that the SL65 AMG is a very, very fast car. There is a mesmerizing powerband that runs all the way to the redline. Of course, you only get to use a tiny part of this vehicle’s potential, but even that is good fun.

The SL feels larger and a little less stiff than the excellent SLK, but it was still very well composed on the test drive this week, which was held on some pretty bumpy roads.

While they will never be described as bargains, most of the SL models live up to expectations of buyers who want impressive performance and comfort in an elegant top-down package. "

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And to our friend Shiv:  as always, thanks for the tips my good sir; we sincerely appreciate them.