Kicking things off this morning comes an action-packed Wednesday edition of our now famous Review Roundup segment.  In today's episode, a total of three Mercedes models are scrutinized for your reading pleasure, with the 2009 SL500, the S63 AMG and the CLC 220 CDI the lucky ones chosen.  As is the case with each and every one of Review Roundups, you can find excerpts from each review as well as links back to the full articles immediately below.

Enjoy ladies and gentlemen.


Mercedes-Benz SL500 (via Channel 4)
Reviewer's rating:

"SL originally stood for Sports Light, and while the Mercedes-Benz SL is still sporting - to a degree - it's certainly not light: 1910kg.  This near two-tonner is a long way from the elegant, slim-pillared SLs of the 1970s and '80s, and long full stop - 4562mm end to end, more than many a family-sized hatch or even estate car, plus a broad 1820mm across. The SL 500's sheer size and bulk, never-ending bonnet, sometimes floaty ride and over-assisted variable-ratio steering does make it feel rather boat-like at times to manoeuvre; it is not a neat, agile little thing, nor is it super-sharp. Picture it wafting down the Pacific Coast Highway (from Malibu villa to bijou restaurant in Santa Monica, perhaps - the Californians love it), not tearing round a track or hurtling about tiny, twisty country lanes.

Proceed gently and gracefully to behave in keeping with this car's character - or at least, as gracefully as you can given the disconcerting, jerky electronic brakes and slightly non-linear throttle response. Both pedals are somewhat dead-feeling, with little initial reaction and then a sudden reply when stronger pressure is applied.  Happily, there's plenty of power to propel this land-yacht: the 5461cc V8 delivers 388bhp and 391lb ft of torque, giving a top speed of 155mph (electronically limited) and 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds.

Given the refinement of the engine, the insulation from the outside world (even roof-down) and the cocoon-like cabin, the sprinting ability of the SL 500 is deceptive: it's all too easy to achieve highly illegal speeds without noticing.  Jet-thrust acceleration just feels like an unhurried meander away from the traffic lights and intercontinental progress down the autobahn a Sunday stroll - until you reach a corner and suddenly realise quite how fast you're travelling. Treat with respect."

Read Full Review »



Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG (via Autoweek)
Reviewer's rating:  Unspecified

"This Mercedes-Benz S63 is a supreme cruiser. It has more gizmos than the Sharper Image catalog and makes one heck of a statement on the road. Although it’s probably not something I would consider buying, I appreciate everything it brought me during a weekend that was packed with nearly 700 miles of driving.

The massive V8 engine muscles this heavy ship along easily and emits a throaty tone when you drop the hammer. According to Mercedes, 0 to 60 mph comes in 4.5 seconds, which is believable but totally floors me because it’s such a big car. When you gently push the throttle, you whip past slower traffic and merge onto the expressway with aplomb. The giant brakes are--as expected--strong, with a great pedal feel.

The best part is a ride that one of my back-seat passengers described as 'gliding.' Cracks and potholes--even crater-size ones--do nothing to upset the ride; both passengers fell asleep as I chauffeured them. The S63 stays composed at all times, and the suspension keeps it smooth and steady when rounding on-ramps without large amounts of roll.

Distronic Plus cruise control proved to be my favorite gadget of all, and it is the best radar-cruise-control unit I’ve encountered. Set the system, turn on the massaging seats, dial up a favorite Sirius station and rack up the miles."

Read Full Review »



Mercedes-Benz CLC 200 CDI (via Car)
Reviewer's rating:

"Drive the CLC 220 CDI – the top-spec diesel – and you’ll want a petrol engine. The 2.2-litre four-cylinder derv burner is dull dull dull, despite its 148bhp and 251lb ft. Refinement borders on excellent, but there’s no panache to the power delivery, no satisfying thump to its turbodiesel torque. Even 47.9mpg and 156g/km CO2 (depending on wheel size…) is uninspiring in this EfficientDynamics era. Give us a 120d any day.

Every CLC we drove was in Sport guise; cue the fanfare for the new direct-steer system. Basically a variable-ratio rack, combined with a speed-sensitive servo, this is intended to give you all the assistance you need at parking velocities, straight-line stability on the autobahn, and improved agility for B-roads and accident avoidance. The real life result is a dead zone at the initial application of lock, and not much feel after that.

If all you want to do is cruise about on motorways, fine – the CLC is more than competent. But start to challenge it, and after an initial moment of going, ooh, there’s a surprising amount of front-end grip here, you’ll find the body control disappointing. The CLC just isn’t tied down well enough to hustle, and limited feedback makes it hard to enjoy. The niggling ride quality doesn’t help.

Generally speaking the fit and finish is pretty good for the money – but is ‘pretty good’ acceptable in a Mercedes? Most of the touch points have been carefully massaged but somehow the interior engineers totally failed to notice the glovebox lid, which seems to be made from recycled plastic bags, or something equally flimsy. Yuk. But, the CLC is spacious enough – more so than a 1-series Coupe or TT – and has a decent boot."

Read Full Review »



And before I go, a special thanks to our friend Shiv for the tips.  As always my good sir, we sincerely appreciate it.