Like the other cars in its class, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a gorgeous vehicle. In fact, it may be the prettiest of the whole bunch, and that bunch includes the Audi R8, BMW 6-Series, Aston Martin DB9 and DBS, Bentley Continental GTC and Azure, Ferrari F430 and California, Maserati Gran Turismo, Jaguar XK Series, Porsche 911 and Lexus SC 430 from overseas manufacturers. From America you can include the Cadillac XLR and Chevrolet Corvette.

The ancestry of the SL-Class goes back to 1957, with the modern iteration dating from the 1992 model year. The latest complete refresh was in the 2007 model year, but this year saw significant, though minor, changes in the front end, side mirrors and interior.

The SL comes in four trims, with the engine and transmission specifics depending on the trim. The SL550 has a 505 liter, 382 horsepower V8 gasoline engine with a seven-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. SL600 come with a 5.5 liter, 510 horsepower V12 gasoline engine, with a five-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.

The SL63 AMG sports a 6.2 liter, 518 horsepower V8 gasoline engine with a seven-speed manual transmission with overdrive. Finally, the SL65 AMG has a 6.0 liter V12 gasoline engine with a whopping 604 horsepower. It carries the same five-speed automatic transmission with overdrive as the SL600.

As you would expect, the fuel efficiency has considerable spread, depending on the engine, and as you've probably guessed, none of the figures are particularly good. They range from a low of 11 miles per gallon city and 18 miles per gallon highway with the two V12 engines to a scarcely better 13 miles per gallon city and 21 miles per gallon on the open road with the small V8.

The speed/power issues of horsepower, power to weight ratio and torque are all better than class average, of course. Equally predictably, mileage is woefully short of class average. The SL is also a tight fit, being considerably below class average for passenger size, though it does manage decent front legroom.

NHTSA and IIHS ratings are not available for the SL-Class. Safety features include an anti-theft device, antilock brakes with electronic brake assistance, traction control and vehicle stability control, automatic load leveling, first aid kit, electronic parking aid, inside trunk release, keyless entry and, on the SL63 AMG, the option of a limited slip differential.

With a base price of $98,500 the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is in the upper price range of cars in its class; but nowhere near the top, which is over a quarter million. And the truth is, if you looking for something on the cheap, you've got no business being on a Mercedes lot in the first place.