THE SL GRAND EDITION

Fresh air for the luxury Roadster

Grand Edition - this is what especially exclusive Mercedes-Benz special edition models are called. The new Grand Edition models of the SL 450 and SL 550 come with numerous highlights to the interior and exterior that create an even more luxurious driving experience. The exclusive Roadster will arrive in U.S. dealerships in 2020.

The SL Grand Edition is available in Graphite Grey with applications in high- gloss chrome and matte silver to ensure a special look for the front bumper. The Grand Edition models have exclusive 19-inch front and 20-inch rear AMG 10-spoke forged wheels. These are painted high-gloss black and have a high- sheen rim lip and spokes. The badges with the SL Grand Edition logo placed laterally on the mudguards subtly reference the special model's status.

The designo Tundra Brown Pearl leather with its shimmering metallic surface catches the eye on the interior, with details such as fine diamond quilting, piping in designo Golden Olive Pearl and an embroidered special model logo on the head restraints. The multifunction sports steering wheel is also designed in Tundra Brown Pearl leather. The grip zone is particularly easy on the hand in perforated black Nappa leather. The Grand Edition will also receive the sports suspension, which is lowered by 10 mm for firmer tuning and sportier driving dynamics.

by Mercedes-Benz

Max Hoffman was responsible for the sporty two-seat Mercedes-Benz 190SL sports car. The S represented 'Sports' while the L meant Light or 'Sehr Leicht'. With a curb weight of 2560 pounds, it was hardly 'light' when compared with other vehicles in its class, some 500 through 1000 pounds less. It was however an excellent alternative to the higher-priced Mercedes-Benz 300SL. The gullwing-door 300SL was available only as a coupe while the 190 SL could be purchased as a Roadster with a soft-top convertible or with a removable hardtop roof.

In 1954, Mercedes introduced its two-door 190SL at the New York Auto Show. Fifteen months later the production version was displayed at the 1955 Geneva Auto Show. Gone was the air-scoop that had been on the hood, along with other aesthetic aspects.

The 300SL was initially priced at $7,460 while the 190SL was $3998. As a result, the 190SL outsold the 300SL by nearly eight to one. In its best year, 4,032 190SL's were produced. In its worst year, only 104 examples were produced.

Under the hood was an 1897 cc four-cylinder OHC engine that was capable of producing around 105 horsepower. It took 14.5 seconds to go from zero to sixty and had a top speed of nearly 110 mph. Drum brakes were placed on all four corners of the 14 foot, one-inch vehicle. Servo brakes were optional until 1956 at which point they became standard.

The engine capacity was taken into account when naming the vehicle. By moving the decimal place once to the left, it created 189.7. The number was then rounded up to 190. So the 190 represents the approximate engine capacity in liters, meaning about 1.9 liters.

The 190SL production run lasted from 1955 through 1963. Most of the body-styles were open roadsters the rest were coupes. In comparison to many other nameplates, this is a very low number, guarantying its exclusivity and rarity by today's standards. It was a beautiful sibling to the prestigious and awe-inspiring gullwing door 300SL.

by Dan Vaughan