How much fun can you have in a drop-top Merc? DNA Drive finds out...

A roadster is defined as a small, two-door, two-seater car with an open top and manual transmission. So going by the traditional definition, the Mercedes SL 350 misses just a little. Nevertheless, it does fulfil three of the four criteria, so we’re willing to go with the flow and just call it a roadster.

The SL-class, which stands for Sport Leicht - German for light weight and sporty — has been around for a long time now.
Traditionally based on a slightly heavy platform, the roadster doesn’t have the sportiest of bases to start from, but then again, it’s meant to cross continents, not set lap records.

Moving right on to the looks of the beast, the SL doesn’t have any in-your-face styling elements, rather it’s a more subdued car. It lets the clean lines and good proportions speak for themselves. Our test model was a brilliant black one, which turned heads everywhere it went. We tried hard to look like owners, keeping a poker-yet-casual visage throughout, looking through agape people.

The growl of the V6 only added to the awe.

There’s one thing about the SL that will absolutely floor the observer and that is the folding hardtop. You don’t even need to be in the car to operate it either. Just pull up close and using the key-fob, press and hold the unlock button and presto-foldo!