Direct successor to the sixth generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL and indirect successor to the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster, the new Mercedes-AMG SL (R232) it continues a name (and a history) that is already over 60 years old.
Visually, the new Mercedes-AMG SL lives up to its provenance, in other words, the home of Affalterbach: it is probably the most aggressively designed SL ever.
It adopts visual elements that are characteristic of the models with AMG stamp, highlighting the adoption of the “Panamericana” grille at the front, while at the back, it is possible to find similarities with the GT 4 Doors and it doesn't even lack an active spoiler that can assume five positions from 80 km/h.
However, the big news is even the return of the canvas top, absent since the fourth generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL. Fully automatic, it weighs 21 kg less than its predecessor's hardtop and can be retracted in just 15 seconds. When this happens, the luggage compartment goes from 240 liters to 213 liters.
Inside, the screens assume a particular role. In the center, between the ventilation outlets in the form of a turbine, we find a screen with 11.9” whose inclination angle can be adjusted (between 12º and 32º) and where we find the latest version of the MBUX system. Finally, a 12.3” screen fulfills the functions of an instrument panel.
totally new
Unlike what sometimes happens, where a new model shares the base with its predecessor, the new Mercedes-AMG SL is really 100% new.
Developed on the basis of a completely new aluminum platform, the SL has a structural rigidity 18% higher than its predecessor. Furthermore, according to Mercedes-AMG, the transversal stiffness is 50% higher than that presented by the AMG GT Roadster while in the case of longitudinal stiffness the increase reaches 40%.
But there is more. According to the German brand, the new platform made it possible to mount the engine and axles in a lower position than in the predecessor. The result? A lower center of gravity which obviously benefits the dynamic handling of the German roadster.
At 4705 mm in length (+88 mm than its predecessor), 1915 mm in width (+38 mm) and 1359 mm in height (+44 mm), the new SL has also become heavier, appearing in its most powerful variant. (SL 63) with 1970 kg, 125 kg more than its predecessor. Also, it shouldn't be strange that this is the first SL ever to come with four-wheel drive.
The numbers of the new SL
Initially the new SL will be available in two versions: SL 55 4MATIC+ and SL 63 4MATIC+. Both use a twin-turbo V8 with 4.0 l capacity, which is associated with the nine-speed automatic transmission “AMG Speedshift MCT 9G” and the all-wheel drive system “AMG Performance 4Matic+”.
According to Mercedes-AMG, all SL engines are handcrafted at the Affalterbach factory and continue to follow the “One Man, One Engine” concept. But let's talk about the numbers of these two thrusters.
In the less powerful version, the twin-turbo V8 presents itself with 476 hp and 700 Nm, figures that push the SL 55 4MATIC+ up to 100 km/h in just 3.9s and up to 295 km/h.
In the most powerful variant, this «shoots» to 585 hp and 800 Nm of torque. Thanks to this, the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 4MATIC+ “dispatches” the 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6s and reaches a top speed of 315 km/h.
The rims go from 19'' to 21''.
Also confirmed is the arrival of a hybrid variant, but about this Mercedes-AMG opted to maintain secrecy, not having provided any technical data or even a scheduled date for its disclosure.
Driving modes abound
In total, the new Mercedes-AMG SL has five “normal” driving modes — “Slippery”, “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport+” and “Individual” — plus the “Race” mode in the SL 55 equipped with the optional pack AMG Dynamic Plus and on the SL 63 4MATIC+.
In the field of dynamic behavior, the Mercedes-AMG SL comes as standard with an unprecedented four-wheel directional system. As on the AMG GT R, up to 100 km/h the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front ones and from 100 km/h in the same direction as the front ones.
Also in the ground connections, it is worth noting the adoption of an electronic rear locking differential (standard on the SL 63, and part of the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package on the SL 55), hydraulic stabilizer bars on the SL 63 and also the adoption of adaptive shock absorbers .
Finally, braking is carried out by ventilated 390 mm discs at the front with six-piston calipers and 360 mm discs at the rear. As an option, it is also possible to equip the new Mercedes-AMG SL with 402 mm carbon-ceramic discs at the front and 360 mm at the rear.
There is no launch day yet
For now, both the expected launch date of the new Mercedes-AMG SL and its prices remain an open question.