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The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is the first vehicle wholly designed and built by this German automaker’s performance arm. This two-passenger coupe uses a pair of “gullwing” doors, reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz coupes of the 1950s. The sole powertrain teams a 563-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine with a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, side airbags, curtain side airbags, and driver and passenger knee airbags. Among the standard features are keyless access and engine start, leather upholstery, voice-activated navigation system, and hard drive for storing digital-music files.

Optional features include a performance suspension, carbon-ceramic disc brakes, carbon-fiber interior trim, and uplevel Bang & Olufsen audio system. We have not yet tested the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK receives more available power and freshened styling. Like the larger, costlier SL-Class, SLKs have a power-folding hardtop. They come in three versions. The base SLK300 has a 228-hp 3.0-liter V6 engine. The mid-level SLK350 has a 300-hp 3.5-liter V6, which is a 32 hp bump over 2008 models. The top-end SLK55 AMG is tuned by Mercedes’ AMG performance arm and has a 355-hp 5.4-liter V8.

The 2009 SLK300 and SLK55 retain the same engines as the 2008 models. SLK300 offers a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission. The other models have the automatic only. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and front side airbags. Available features include voice activation for certain functions and wireless connectivity with all audio systems. MP3 players can be integrated into the car’s audio system.

A newly available audio unit with voice control combines a wireless cell-phone link and 6-disc CD/DVD changer. The new audio unit has optional features such as a navigation system with real-time traffic updates, HD radio, MP3 connectivity, and a hard drive that can store 4 gigabytes of digital music files. This evaluation is based on preview test drives.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class is largely unchanged. Like the larger, costlier SL-Class, SLKs seat 2 and have a power-folding hard top. They come in three versions. The base SLK300 has a 228-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine. The mid-level SLK350 has a 300-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. The top-end SLK55 is tuned by Mercedes’ AMG performance arm and has a 355-horsepower 5.4-liter V8. SLK300 offers a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission.

SLK350 and SLK55 use the automatic only. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and side airbags that provide head and torso protection. Available features include voice activation for certain functions and wireless connectivity with all audio systems.

A navigation system with real-time traffic updates is also offered. The Diamond White Edition is a package for the SLK300 and includes a sport suspension, 18-inch wheels, and specific paint, interior, and exterior trim.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class gets freshened styling, a revised interior, and a new performance model. These are Mercedes’ costliest convertibles. They seat two and have a power-retractable hardtop. The SL-Class comes in four models. Returning from model-year 2008 are the SL550, SL600, and SL65. New for 2009 are the SL63 and SL65 AMG Black Series. SL550 has a 382-hp 5.5-liter V8 engine.

The SL63 has a 518-hp 6.2-liter V8. SL600, SL65, and SL65 Black Series have twin-turbocharged V12 engines. The SL600 uses a 510-hp 5.5-liter; the SL65 a 604-hp 6.0-liter; and the SL65 Black Series a 661-hp 6.0-liter. SL63 and 65 are tuned by Mercedes’ AMG performance division. The Black Series is a special-edition model, limited to a production run of 350 units worldwide, with 175 slated to come to the United States. V8 SL-Class models have a 7-speed automatic transmission. V12 versions use a 5-speed automatic.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, side airbags, driver knee airbag, and a rollover bar designed to deploy in an impending tip. Optional on V8 and standard on V12 models is Mercedes’ Airscarf feature, which delivers heated air through neck-level vents near the headrests. The redesigned interior includes a standard navigation system and wireless cell-phone link.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is largely unchanged. These are Mercedes’ costliest convertibles. They seat 2 and have a power-retractable hard top. The SL-Class comes in four models: The SL550, SL63, SL600, and SL65. SL550 has a 382-horsepower 5.5-liter V8 engine. SL600 and SL65 have twin-turbocharged V12 engines of 5.5 liters and 510 horsepower and 6.0 liters and 604 horsepower, respectively.

The SL63 has a 518-horsepower 6.2-liter V8. SL63 and SL65 are tuned by Mercedes’ AMG performance division. V8 SL-Class models have a 7-speed automatic transmission. V12 versions use a 5-speed automatic. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, side airbags, driver-knee airbag, and a rollover bar designed to deploy in an impending tip.

A navigation system with real-time traffic information and a wireless cell-phone link are standard on all models.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class adds a few new features. Four rear-wheel-drive models are offered along with one that has Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel drive. The S550 and AWD S550 automatic have a 382-hp 5.5-liter V8. The S63 has a 6.2-liter 518-hp V8. The S600 has a turbocharged 5.5-liter 510-hp V12, and the high-performance S65 has a 6.0-liter version of that engine with 604 hp. All come only with an automatic transmission: A 7-speed in S550/S550 4Matic and S63, a 5-speed in the S600 and S65.

The S-Class suspension automatically adjusts for firmness and load leveling. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front and rear side airbags. Mercedes’ Pre-Safe system is also standard; it senses an impending collision and tightens the seat belts and applies additional braking force. Also included are Mercedes’ Tele Aid assistance and its COMAND system, which incorporates a video screen and console-mounted “joystick” knob to control audio, navigation, phone, and other functions; it also accepts voice commands. The S63 and S65 are tuned by Mercedes’ AMG high-performance division and include sport suspension, sport exhaust and seats, and specific trim.

Available features on S-Class include ventilated and massaging front seats, heated and ventilated rear seat, and keyless access and starting. Also offered is a rearview camera and Mercedes’ Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control. New for 2009 is Mercedes’ Parking Guidance system–which assists drivers with parallel parking–and Blind Spot Assist, which alerts the driver to the presence of another vehicle in the car’s blind spots. The S600 has a restyled optional 19-inch wheel set. All S-Class cars receive steering-wheel shift paddles, which replace gear shift buttons.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class lineup gains a new gas/electric hybrid model. The S400 Hybrid is this German brand’s first hybrid passenger car. It pairs a 3.5-liter V6 gas engine with a battery-powered electric motor for 295 horsepower total. It uses a 7-speed automatic transmission. The S400′s hybrid system is capable of shutting off the engine while slowing down and at a stop, but the car cannot accelerate solely on electric power. It does not require plug-in charging.

The rest of the S-Class lineup offers a few new features for 2010. Rear-wheel-drive S550 and all-wheel-drive S550 models have a 382-horsepower 5.5-liter V8. The high-end S600 reprises a turbocharged 5.5-liter 510-horsepower V12. The S63 and S65 are tuned by Mercedes’ AMG performance division. S63 uses a 518-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 while the S65 has a 604-horsepower 6.0-liter turbocharged V12. S550 and S63 models have a 7-speed automatic transmission while V12 S-Class versions use a 5-speed automatic.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front- and rear-side airbags. Mercedes’ Pre-Safe system is standard; it senses an impending collision and tightens the seat belts and applies additional braking force. New is Mercedes’ ATTENTION ASSIST driver-fatigue alert, which sounds a chime and displays a warning in the instrument cluster if sensors detect a driver who might be drowsy at the wheel. Also included is Mercedes’ Tele Aid assistance and its COMAND system, which incorporates a video screen and console-mounted “joystick” knob to control audio, navigation, phone, and other functions; it also accepts voice commands.

Available features include ventilated and massaging front seats, heated and ventilated rear seat, and keyless access and starting. Also offered is a rearview camera and Mercedes’ Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control.