Mercedes-Benz has released Australian pricing details for their 2009 SL-class roadster. The refreshed SL has received a number of mechanical and cosmetic upgrades as well as price increases across the entire range of between $5000 and $9000.

Entry level SL ownership begins with the SL 350 now priced at $223,000. The SL 350 benefits from a revised 3.5-litre V6 that now produces a healthy 232kW (a 32kW improvement) while the SL range with the exception of the AMG cars also receives a new speed adjustable direct-steer system.

The SL-Class model range includes the SL 350, SL 500, SL 600, SL 63 AMG and SL 65 AMG, Australia will not receive Europe’s entry level SL 280.

As we have come to expect from Mercedes-Benz products, safety is high on the agenda and in addition to standard goodies such as bi-xenon headlights, a COMAND multimedia system and airscarf neck-level heating (hence the unusually shaped headrests), the SL range features the following standard safety features:

• Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
• Brake Assist (BAS)
• Anti-theft alarm system with interior motion sensor
• Automatically dimming interior and driver’s side exterior mirrors
• Automatically extending roll-over bar concealed behind head restraints
• Electronic Stability Programme ESP®
• Front airbags and head/thorax sidebags for driver and passenger
• PARKTRONIC parking assistance system
• Seatbelt pre-tensioners with belt-force limiters
• Tyre pressure loss warning system

The pre-facelift SL 55 AMG is no-longer available, its place taken by the 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 powered SL 63 AMG - 386kW of power and 630Nm of torque should be enough. Gear changing is handled by the new AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT seven-speed sports transmission.

In the event that the SL 63 AMG seems a bit ‘light on’ then there is always the range topping SL 65 AMG, and its 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine. Outputs remain unchanged but 450kW and 1000 Nm hardly needs improving. The SL is no feather weight but in SL 63 guise it will sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.2 seconds.

Pricing for SL-class range is as follows:

SL 350 - $223,000
SL 500 - $306,000
SL 600 - $385,000
SL 63 AMG - $382,000
SL 65 AMG - $468,000

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