- 146
- sporkafife
Mercedes SL55 AMG '02
Hello, today I present to you a test of the Mercedes SL55 AMG '02. Although this car is nearly 10 years old now, I can wholeheartedly assure you that it's no slouch. Under the bonnet (and behind that large flashy grille) lies a 5.5 litre supercharged, AMG tuned V8 good for over 500BHP. Impressive? It needs to be, as this car weighs in at just under 2 tonnes (1955kg to be precise). I chose a track that I thought would suit the car well: The Top Gear Test Track. It is well known for being a power circuit, perfectly suiting this nutty AMG nuclear bomb. However, the tracks difficult corners will also help to weed out any undesired handling artifacts of this 2 tonne 500BHP monster.
I line the car up ready to start the lap, slowly building up the revs with my right foot. The car is automatic, so I rely entirely on the launch control system to get me moving. The exhaust rumbles away behind me in a surprisingly civilised manner for an AMG. I focus on the run down to the first corner, and wait for the signal to release 500BHP to the rear wheels.
Even the electronic launch control trickery can't contain the savage power of this car and the rear wheels spin up a short trail of smoke. Not the fastest get-away, but impressive nonetheless.
The run down to the first corner is over after a surprisingly short amount of time. The gearbox in this car may be automatic, but it has no problems dealing with the power that the supercharged V8 can deliver, and the car is doing 115mph before it reaches the braking point for turn 1.
The first corner is not the smoothest. As the weight shifts, it is almost possible to hear the front right tire screaming in pain. Due to the weight of the car, there isn't as much front end grip through the corners as you would hope, pulling the whole car wide in a slightly disappointing wave of understeer.
On the exit of turn 1, I put my foot down. Unsurprisingly, this brings a small amount of power oversteer which is easily corrected by a flick of corrective lock. However, I begin to fear that the antics in this first corner may be an omen of things to come...
I brake for Chicago, half expecting this heavy car to simply carry on going. But the brakes seem to do the job of slowing the car down, leaving me suitably impressed.
Any feeling I had of being impressed is quikly wiped out, as the car understeers like a boat throughout Chicago as the heavy V8 at the front almost drags the entire car onto the grass, leaving the apex laughing at me.
I push down on the gas, hoping to leave the first part of the lap behind me as quickly as possible. I am rewarded by a huge surge off acceleration. The last few disappointing bends had made me forget how fast this thing goes if you put your boot down. 2 tonnes of metal being fired down the road like a slingshot is a pretty awesome feeling. I begin to eye up hammerhead, I would not let the understeer catch me me here.
I brake smoothly and turn into the hammerhead, clipping the apex perfectly. As soon as I feel the front end starting pulling outwards I mash the accelerator, unleashing 500 furious horses. Enough to maintain a rather impressive powerslide on the exit of hammerhead
I once again start to build up speed, but it would take a braver man than me to take on the follow through at full pelt in this behemoth. I quickly dab the brakes before entering the turn at about 90mph. Despite every cell in my body telling me to lift, I keep the gas pressed down as I head towards the tires.
I shoot past the tires at over 120mph, and pull hard to the left. I clip the grass on the inside of the corner, but the suspension easily irons out any bumps. I feel happier with this middle section of the lap, but I don't stop to contemplate it and lay my sights firmly on the finishing line
With a car like this, you need to be committed to your lines. Hesitate for a moment, and you will probably find yourself in a ditch. I brake solidly before turning the wheel to the right. I am greeted by a familiar understeer, but I am able to keep it under control with some gentle throttle work.
To sum up most of the lap, the car understeers through the final corner.
I cross the line and bring the car to a stop with a disappointed feeling in my mind. The thought of a 500BHP Mercedes is usually enough to excite anybody. You may think of long powerslides, but unfortunately this car will most likely only bring you understeer. The car does have a perfect 50-50 weight distribution, but the suspension is too soft and the car rolls. Too much weight is shifted to the front outside tire on the entry to a corner and you are dragged wide. In a race, this would result in a less powerful car taking you on the inside line.
Final thought: I wish I loved this car. It seems bonkers on paper, but it's too heavy, too powerful and too soft to be any good around a corner. I guess this car really is just for show offs who like big numbers.
3/10
P.s. This is my first car review, any criticisms and advice will be taken into consideration
I'd probably say 5/10 now, I would say 6/10 but I drove the Jaguar XKR today which is considerably better lol
(I haven't modified my SL55 and don't intend on doing so as it has enough power lol) 
IRL, dunno about GT5), but then take 1 point away for the handling. But what you need to bear in mind is that the SL55 isn't a sports car, however much Mercedes may try to claim that. It's a 2 ton cruiser with the engine from a battleship wedged into it. Handling isn't that high on its priority list, as you'd expect.
