You’ll see it reflected in the muscular styling, led by a heroic grille that proudly displays the Mercedes-Benz emblem. Sculpted headlights underscored by LED Daytime Running Lights and wraparound LED taillights grace front and rear, respectively, and design cues all around come from the iconic SLS AMG.

Inside the cockpit, innovations abound. Overhead, the available MAGIC SKY CONTROL panoramic roof panel can vary its tint from light to dark at the touch of a button. The optional AIRSCARF neck-level heating system extends the top-down driving season by providing warmth on brisk days. In addition, our optional AIRGUIDE provides an innovative wind-blocking system to reduce in-cabin turbulence. And of course, the SLK-Class is equipped with a hardtop that retracts silently in less than 20 seconds.

In the all-new 2012 SLK-Class, Mercedes-Benz also sets new standards of safety for convertible sports cars. Entering its third generation, this trendsetting roadster offers a full complement of ever-evolving assistance systems to support the driver, including ATTENTION ASSIST driver drowsiness monitoring. Available in conjunction with DISTRONIC PLUS adaptive cruise control, the landmark PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system can prepare the cabin for impact — and even apply the brakes automatically — if an impending collision is detected. What’s more, standard mbrace in-vehicle communications technology will automatically call for help should any of the vehicle’s eight airbags deploy.

With an advanced V-6 engine under the hood, the power of 2012 SLK-Class Roadsters is polished by an adaptive seven-speed automatic transmission. Responsive handling comes courtesy of a sophisticated suspension and Direct-Steer System technology.

From its stunning exterior design down to the subtlety of the smallest stitch, we labored over every detail. All that´s left is for you to fire the ignition, lower the top and pick a road — any road, that is.

In contrast, the SL500 tested in our April issue hit 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, 100 in 14.5, and covered the quarter in 14.3 seconds at 99 mph. The disparities seem minor on paper, but the real-world distinctions are dramatic. Crack the throttle, and this posh heavyweight lunges forward like a shark that’s been invited to nibble a chunk of Britney Spears. It dissects traffic like a superbike and exudes a sense of mechanical resentment when a soulless microchip arrests the rush at 156 mph.

With 270,000 units sold world-wide since its launch, the W 221-series S-Class is the world’s most successful luxury sedan, and seamlessly continues the success story of the flagship model in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. Since 1951, when the model 220 began the direct lineage of the S-Class, Mercedes-Benz has delivered around 3.3 million passenger cars from this model series to customers.

The U.S. line-up includes the S400 HYBRID, the 382-hp V8-powered S550 and all-wheel-drive S550 4MATIC as well as the high-performance 518-hp S63 AMG. V12 offerings include the 510-hp S600 and the top-of-the-line 604-hp S65 AMG. The 2010 S-Class will be in U.S. showrooms beginning in August.