Isn't it amazing what a set of proper wheels can do for a vehicle? It is like the cherry on top of a sundae, it just makes it look so right.
But when it comes to a set of rims, in some cases it can turn out miserably wrong.
The same can be said about the shoelaces on a pair of hip shoes. It is highly unlikely that you will find a pair of brown, suede moccasins with chunky, pink laces. There is a reason for that; the tastemakers simply will not have it.
A trendsetter is someone who is able to defy the standard and popularize a new sort of fashion. And in the age of a growing desire for individualization, Mercedes-Benz took a shot with its Designo program.
Originally launched in 1997, its first application was seen with model year 2000 vehicles in form of the big-daddy S-Class and fun-loving SLK roadster. Roughly a 1,000 copies were sold in the first year.
So when I got my paws on a Designo SL550 Night Edition, I knew it was going to be a special car in its own way. Having driven the SL550 extensively and reviewed it in January, this was an experiment in a different way. Would it just be written off as another SL? Or, would people perceive it as the special piece it is, being only one of 100 units to make it here.
Clearly not your ordinary SL, the Night Edition is sporting a matte black paint job. But do not get it twisted, although matte paint has been the talk of the town for the last 12 months, according to Assistant Product Manager, Mike Martin, Mercedes had "been developing it for eight to nine years."
The reasoning behind this is intriguing.
Martin said that while cars were in the development process they were painted flat black -- probably to tone down details from spy photographers -- and interestingly enough, people were stopping testers and saying how the test cars looked unique.
Martin, not being too surprised by this, says "If you have a car with a satin finish, it is immediately going to stand out."
But unlike a set of garish wheels or tacked-on modifications it is a subdued look, which is key. Essentially, this was the lightbulb moment where Benz realized "this is how they [Mercedes-Benz customers] would want to be unique."
Mercedes customers aren't the only ones though. If you peruse any enthusiast forum, you are likely to run across just about any vehicle with matte trimmings. From Chevrolet Tahoes to Scion tCs to a do-it-yourself BMW 3-Series, everything has been wrapped or painted.
Keeping this in mind, Martin has said that the finish has been "Doing really well," and has "exceeded my expectations of what I thought it would be."
The funny thing is how much of a character change this is, even for just a regular SL550. Armed with the AMG body work and a set of serious 19'' rims, the car certainly looks aggressive in matte black.
It does not have that same look as say a white and tan SL would have, let's just leave it at that.
If I had a nickel for everytime I heard "Man! That car looks badass," or "Hey, that looks like the Batmobile," I would probably be able to snap up a $119,225* SL Night Edition for kicks. Not that I would be able considering there are only 100 copies, which are likely all claimed by this point.
*Includes gas guzzler tax and destination charges
And considering we have brought up numbers, the Designo program is not exactly for the price sensitive buyer. Granted, neither is an SL. The package itself costs nearly 14 and a half large ones but it does get a significant amount of kit:
- Heated/Ventilated active seats with Pulse feature
- AIRSCARF, with silver-painted fans
- Electronic trunk closer
- KEYLESS GO
- PARKTRONIC
- Panorama sunroof
- Illuminated door sills
- 19'' AMG five-spoke wheels wrapped in high-performance rubber
- Black Ash Wood Trim
- Silver contrast stitching, Arrow-shaped seams
- High-gloss alloy windblocker
- Dark tinted headlights/taillights
- Silver-painted front brake calipers W/ Mercedes-Benz letter
- Perforated rear brake discs
NOTE: if you equip a standard SL550 with the same options -- minus the unique paint and custom interior -- you are only off by $4,760. Considering the research and development of the paint and the custom bits that's a bargain.
The best part; it is from the factory. Although a lot of custom shops think their work is better than OEM, I beg to differ.
Probably one of the more intriguing aspects of my conversation with Martin was dispelling the entire matte paint rumor, which implies you have to paint the entire car if a part becomes damaged. According to Martin, individual pieces can be repainted and it will match.
Sad to say, you may have to get this done more often than usual because as seen on our tester, rock chips were readily apparent on the front valence. Whether or not this is a durability issue is beyond me because as you'd expect with a matte black car, it is much easier to point out a chip than a glossy finished car. The contrast is much more significant on a matte black car than say a silver, glossy vehicle.
The only way to objectively know for sure would be to pair two SL's with the same mileage side-by-side and see if the wear is similar. I did not have that luxury.
Good news, however, is that it can be washed and cleaned like a normal vehicle. So, hurrah for that!
MORE ABOUT DESIGNO
Acquiring a Designo car is far from normal. While some people will dismiss it as simply paint and hide, those are the folks that simply don't "get it." Kind of like those venture capitalists that dismissed Pandora no less than 350 times, according to an Inc.com story. The reality is, if you want something out of the box and you want a Mercedes-Benz, this is the team you come to.
Although these things do not come easily. Usually, a Designo car takes two to three months longer to build.
The first scoop we have for you is that the Designo program has gone a la carte, although Martin says "People tend to gravitate to our editions."
Keeping the a la carte thought in mind, there will be some new debuts this year. For instance, stone trims -- similar to a granite table top -- will be introduced this year. Additionally, leather-based headliners will be making an appearance. Pft, you know that whole Alcantara thing is getting played out.
Secondly, the Designo program will continue its expansion down the Mercedes line-up. According to Martin, there are plans to introduce matte paint in form of the recently driven E-Class cabriolet and there have been discussions about bringing it into the next AMG C-Class.
FINAL THOUGHT
What it comes down to is one thing; are you satisfied with the norm?
For me, I embrace being different and having that unique edge, which allows me to stand out. I am that big fish in a little pond.
For some that does not jibe.
And for the person who thinks OEMs do the best quality work and have a bit of disposable income, this is perfect for that buyer.
If you're an elitist that has access to an exacto knife, a vinyl wrap and a couple weeks of spare time, you can probably wrap your car for less than $200 bucks -- as seen on a BMW forum -- but it will not have the same look, quality and feel as the legitimate paint job.
If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times: "Go big or go home."
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