2004 Mercedes-Benz SL600

If the Dodge Viper plays its torque with Wagnerian bombast and the Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG is a Bach fugue, then the new 590-lb-ft-packing twin-turbo V-12 SL600 is Beethoven's Ninth. Music appreciation helps sort differences between the image and feel of the AMG and the SL600 (differences between the Benzes and the Viper are as obvious as they sound). Like the Ninth, the SL600 lets you sit back and enjoy soothing harmony or you can crank it up for immense flourishes. It makes power similar to the SL55, but the less-expensive AMG is the track car and the V-12 is the one you want for autobahn runs. Mercedes estimates either SL will do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds (we got a 4.39 with the SL55).

The Active Body Control-equipped SL600 is softer, smoother, and more compliant than the AMG, with impressively stiff and controlled damping. Heave its 4290 pounds over abrupt road bumps at triple-digit speeds, and it lands as calmly as the President's helicopter. Precise steering will get you around tight corners quickly with good feedback and is light enough for a loose hand on the wheel on high-speed straights. As with all Mercedes, the SL600's Electronic Stability Program is intrusive, especially in preventing throttle-induced oversteer and exiting slow turns. But in standing starts, a tug at the rear wheels is the only drama you get from the SL600's ESP--aside from that of hitting supra-legal speeds more quickly than you can think about it.