The Mercedes-AMG SL is here, arriving with a bold new look and plenty of performance.
Underpinned by a brand new aluminium platform which is said to be stiffer than that fitted to the previous-generation car, the latest SL aims to provide more performance while still being comfortable enough to live with on a daily basis.
It also benefits from a folding fabric roof, which brings a 21kg weight saving over the folding metal version fitted to the previous version. Triple-layered to ensure that refinement levels stay high with the roof in place, it can be lowered in just 15 seconds at speeds of up to 37mph.
The exterior design of the SL has also been given a significant overhaul, with slim new headlights sitting on either side of AMG’s recognisable Panamericana grille. Around the back, you’ve got a deployable spoiler sitting above a rounded boot and quad exhaust pipes.
When it comes to powertrains, SL will initially be offered with the choice of two V8 engines, both 4.0-litre in capacity but bringing different outputs. In the SL55 4Matic+, you get 469bhp and 700Nm of torque sent through a nine-speed automatic gearbox.
Move up to the range-topping SL65 and you get 577bhp and 800Nm of torque, resulting in a 0-60mph time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 196mph.
All SL models also get rear-wheel steering for the first time. This helps to make the car more agile at lower speeds, but also stable at higher ones.
Inside, the SL benefits from the 11.9-inch screen that you’ll find in the latest S-Class and C-Class, as well as a 12.3-inch driver display.
Prices for the new SL have yet to be announced, though it’s expected that they’ll come out closer to the car’s predicted on-sale date early next year.
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