The new Mercedes‑AMG SL is now available to order, in a happy coincidence with the start of spring in the calendar last Sunday. The new edition of an icon returns to its roots with a classic soft top and sporty character. At the same time the luxurious roadster, as a 2+2‑seater, is particularly suitable for everyday use and brings its power to the road here for the first time with the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive. The SL 55 4MATIC+ (fuel consumption combined 13.0‑12.2 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 294‑277 g/km)[1] starts at the base price[2] of 158,240.25 euros; the SL 63 4MATIC+ (fuel consumption combined 13.0‑12.5 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 294‑282 g/km) is available from 187,097.75 euros. High-tech components such as the AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL suspension with active anti-roll stabilisation, rear-axle steering, the optionally available AMG ceramic high-performance composite braking system and the standard-fit DIGITAL LIGHT with projection function sharpen the sporty specification. In combination with the AMG 4.0‑litre V8 biturbo engine, this results in a driving experience of the highest order. Numerous options also offer a broad spectrum of individualisation from sportily dynamic to luxuriously elegant, depending on the customer’s wishes.
The legend of the “SL” celebrates a milestone birthday this year: exactly 70 years ago, a sports car saw the light of day in Stuttgart and immediately became a legend. With the road-going 300 SL racing sports car (internal designation W194), the Mercedes‑Benz brand accumulated one success after another on the world’s racetracks from 1952 onwards, and the SL model name quickly became a legend as a result. The successful racing car was followed in 1954 by the 300 SL production sports car (W198), which became known as the “Gullwing” because of its unusual doors. Other milestones in the model’s history were the “Pagoda” (W113, 1963-1971), the evergreen R107 (1971-1989), which was built for 18 years, and its successor, the R129 (1989-1995).
This tradition is now being continued by the latest generation of the SL, developed completely independently by Mercedes‑AMG. Two output levels of the AMG 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine are available at the start of sales. The engines are assembled entirely by hand at the company’s site in Affalterbach according to the “One Man, One Engine” principle. In the top model, the SL 63 4MATIC+, the drivetrain develops 430 kW (585 hp) and
provides a maximum torque of 800 Nm over a wide speed range from 2500 to 4500 rpm. Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h takes only 3.6 seconds, while the top speed is 315 km/h. In the SL 55 4MATIC+, the V8 unit develops 350 kW (476 hp) of power and 700 Nm of maximum torque. The sprint from standstill to 100 km/h is completed in 3.9 seconds; the top speed is reached at 295 km/h.
Innovative technologies for maximum driving pleasure, comfort and safety
Both models feature the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission as standard, which combines an emotively appealing gearshift experience with extremely short shift times. AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive technology is standard on both V8 models: its fully variable torque distribution between the front and rear axles ensures optimum traction at the physical limit as well as high driving stability and driving safety under all conditions. For the first time, a series-production Mercedes‑AMG vehicle also features a multi-link front suspension with five control arms arranged entirely within the rim. This significantly improves the kinematics. At the rear axle, a 5‑link design likewise controls the wheels.
The SL 55 4MATIC+ drives with a newly developed AMG RIDE CONTROL steel suspension equipped with particularly high-performance aluminium shock absorbers and lightweight coil springs. Optional for that model, standard for the SL 63 4MATIC+: the innovative AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL suspension with active, hydraulic roll stabilisation. The system enables optimal cornering and load-change behaviour, with AMG-typical driving characteristics in terms of dynamics, precision and feedback for the driver. At the same time, it increases ride comfort when driving in a straight line and over bumps.
For the first time in the long history of the SL, the V8 models are equipped with active rear-axle steering (HAL) as standard. Depending on the speed, the rear wheels steer either in the opposite direction (up to 100 km/h) or in the same direction (faster than 100 km/h) as the front wheels. The system thus enables both agile and stable driving behaviour.
The SL equipment range: great variety for an individual look
The equipment details and the numerous options offer a wide range of individualisation for the most diverse customer wishes – from sportily dynamic to luxuriously elegant. This includes twelve paint colours,including the two exclusive SL tones hyper blue metallic and MANUFAKTUR monza grey magno, three roof colour variants and numerous new wheel designs. Five exterior design packages are available to further sharpen the look in the direction of elegance or dynamism: AMG Aerodynamics Package, AMG Carbon Package, AMG Chrome Package, AMG Night Package and AMG Night Package II.
The SL 55 4MATIC+ runs on 19-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels as standard, optionally in silver or matt black. The SL 63 4MATIC+ stands on 20-inch AMG 5‑twin‑spoke light-alloy wheels. The range of wheels comprises a total of nine different variants. They include two aerodynamically optimised 20-inch options in 5‑twin‑spoke or multi-spoke design. The range is rounded off with 21-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a 10‑spoke design and 21-inch AMG forged wheels in a 5-twin-spoke design, both in two colour variants.
“Handcrafted in Bremen”: new SL being built at Germany’s northernmost Mercedes‑Benz assembly plant
Like its predecessor, the new SL also comes off the production line at the Mercedes‑Benz assembly plant in Bremen. It is thus the first vehicle developed entirely by Mercedes‑AMG to be built at this location. The use of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) ensures the delivery of materials direct to the production lines. State-of-the-art technology is also found at the ‘wedding’ station, the heart of every assembly hall: the V8 engine, supplied “just in time” from Affalterbach, is connected to the body here.
Technical data at a glance
| Mercedes-AMG SL 55 4MATIC+ | Mercedes-AMG SL 63 4MATIC+ | |
| Price1 | €158,240.25 | €187,097.75 |
| Engine | 4.0-litre V8 with direct injection and exhaust gas turbocharging | 4.0-litre V8 with direct injection and exhaust gas turbocharging |
| Displacement | 3982 cc | 3982 cc |
| Max. output | 350 kW (476 hp) at 5500‑6500 rpm | 430 kW (585 hp) at 5500-6500 rpm |
| Peak torque | 700 Nm at 2350-5000 rpm | 800 Nm at 2500-5000 rpm |
| Drive system | AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with fully variable torque distribution | AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with fully variable torque distribution |
| Transmission | AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G | AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G |
| Combined fuel consumption2 | 13.0–12.2 l/100 km | 13.0–12.5 l/100 km |
| Combined CO2 emissions2 | 294–277 g/km | 294–282 g/km |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h | 3.9 s | 3.6 s |
| Top speed | 295 km/h | 315 km/h |
| Kerb weight acc. to EC | 1950 kg | 1970 kg |
1 MSRP for Germany including 19% VAT.
2 The values stated are the determined “WLTP CO2 values” in the sense of Article 2 No. 3 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated on the basis of these figures.
[1] The figures shown are the WLTP CO2 values measured according to Article 2 No. 3 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated on the basis of these figures.
[2] Manufacturer’s suggested retail price in Germany, plus 19% VAT.
