The Mercedes Benz SL will be re-styled shortly, but before a comprehensive facelift repairs its aesthetic problems, the organization is starting this Mille Miglia 417 special version, which pays homage to some caption. This is a modern day interpretation of the 300SL that was pushed at the 1955 Mille Miglia from the American John Fitch and his co-driver Kurt Gessl to an amazing fifth position overall. A series production automobile, that Mercedes ended well forward of several cars.

It is difficult to blow off this special variant of today's SL. Offered just in matte-black, it comes completely with black wheels measuring 19-inches up front and 20-inches in the rear. In and outside, the Mille Miglia 417 is littered with red accents. It is maybe not unobtrusive, but it's nicely performed.

Open-top motoring is a portion of the SL's attractiveness, and we took advantage of each chance to reduce its retractable-hardtop. But dropping the best needs preparation: Whereas some opponents' electricity tops may be used while going at rates up to 30 miles per hour, this one operates just at creeping rates or when at a stand-still.

Top up or down, the SL550 Mille Miglia 417 seems competitive, which is quick: 60-mph comes up in just over four seconds, based on Mercedes, also it could reach a regulated 155 mph. The sound-track, nevertheless, could be more fascinating. When you take your foot off the accelerator, the popping in the exhaust does not just sound as fiery as in an AMG--think of tin cans slamming together, and you get an concept. And while the accelerator mapping is too competitive, the seven-speed automated in this SL550 feels slack by comparison.

We loathed the driver-support systems. In lively driving and lane-catching in town, the SL over repeatedly worried it was about to crash--and mechanically employed full braking. This, obviously, produced our driver appear to be a idiot and gave these behind us the feeling that individuals intentionally brake-examined them. Our test auto managed just an signaled 14 mpg in our treatment, even though our time with this particular Benz, which took place (normally) in Italy, contained lots of hard-driving and triple-digit rates. Motorists in the US will certainly do considerably better.

On the open-road, we were amazed by the SL's directional stability and steering precision. And despite its enormous wheels, this SL possesses enough comfortable journey quality. Right in the limitation, but the changeover between under- and lead is a little more dramatic than one might expect from an automobile that is otherwise fairly composed. The SL63 AMG is more persuasive when it involves difficult driving.

Really, if we were in the marketplace for an SL, we would strive difficult to think of the additional $30K or so that different this special version in the more strong and totally better SL63 AMG (or go all out for an AMG GT). But like all special versions, the Mille Miglia 417 h AS its distinctive allure. Down the street, it could well turn into a collector's item, though it probably will not actually be as sought after as the automobile from which it attracts inspiration.