The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is all-new inside and out. The trio of turbocharged engines receive notable bumps in horsepower, and despite the additional thrust, fuel consumption for the 2013 SL550 has been reduced by roughly 30-percent. Mercedes-Benz has also bolstered the SL's luxury quotient, as a host of exclusive creature comforts and infotainment services combine to create a new level of sophistication for the 60-year-old nameplate.
Driving a Mercedes-Benz SL-Class doesn't just mean you've made it. It means you want the world to know you've made it. As classic a status symbol as a Rolex watch or Fendi bag, Mercedes-Benz nonetheless lowers the bar for this kind of symbolism with the introduction of the SL400 for the 2015 model year. With a twin-turbo V6 engine, it gives up very little in performance compared to its V8 siblings, but costs more than $20,000 less. However, when even the "cheap" one is still nearly $85,000 to start, you're in rarefied air. Other cars like the Jaguar XK, Porsche 911 and BMW 6 Series all offer performance, panache and luxury for similar prices, yet none can match the prestige of this classic Mercedes-Benz.