IT looks a little too long and too big to be a roadster, yet it still exudes a desirability that few other cars can match. So what is it about the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class convertible that makes it so intriguingly appealing?

Maybe it's the stellar heritage - after all, this is a car that descended from the sensational 300 SL Gullwing Coupe as well as the achingly elegant pagoda roof SL. Or perhaps it's the styling - the SL is the closest you will get to owning something that looks vaguely similar to the limited edition SLR McLaren supercar.

Whatever the reason, most people approach the SL-Class with some deference. And that includes the 2009 model, which is an extensive facelift of the car that was first unveiled in 2003.

It has a new front end to reflect the current Mercedes family look, and it sports new headlamps with cornering light function, a new grille and a pair of slim power domes.

With its long nose and bonnet bulges, the resemblance to the stealthy SLR remains strong, even though the twin round headlights are no more.

There is one especially cool design feature - the side indicator. Presumably to match the gill-like air outlet on the fender, the door mirror's turn signal lamp looks like it was slashed by a wild beast. It is even more striking when the so-called arrow-shaped LED lights are flashing.

Inside, the cabin has been refreshed with a new three-spoke sports steering wheel and a 3D instrument cluster with striking white-banded meters. Bluetooth connectivity has been incorporated, and in the safety department and Adaptive Brake System with Adaptive brake lights is now standard equipment.

But perhaps the most most prominent change to this "new" SL-Class is the introduction of the SL280 with a three-litre V6 engine. Previously, the entry-level model was the SL350, which is still available although its 3.5-litre V6 engine has been given a 16 per cent power hike.

The SL280, on the other hand, has 231 hp. It may sound like a lot. But for a car that weighs slightly over 1,800 kg, it is merely adequate - the engine is enthusiastic and the exhausts spits, but neither make the car blindingly fast or exceptionally agile.

Rather, this two-seater convertible is the perfect grand tourer. It is great for cruising, with eminently confident handling at high speed. The silky smooth seven-speed auto gearbox with its manual shifting abilities also help to make it a more involving drive.

Things get even better when it comes to raising the vario-roof. The retractable hardtop takes 22 seconds to open or close. When it's up, it cuts out the road noise and tightens the already stiff chassis further to make the SL feel as rigid as a fixed-head coupe. And with the top down, it doesn't have the same wild buffetting experienced in some other roadsters.

While its proportions may make the SL280 feel a bit heavy, size can also be its virtue. For a sports car, its cabin is very comfortable. There's lots of space for its two occupants and their possessions, with a parcel shelf and storage bin behind the seats. Even the cubby hole in the centre armrest is enormous.

If you want something smaller and nimbler, opt for the SLK-Class, the three-pointed star's smaller hardtop roadster. But if you prefer to cruise, the SL280 is open-top motoring at its best.

This article was first published in The Business Times on Nov 22, 2008.