Mercedes Australia has confirmed pricing and specifications for the new SL 63 roadster.
The new Mercedes-AMG SL 63 is on track to arrive in Australia later this year and pricing has been confirmed to start from $374,900 before on-road costs. Orders are open now.
Driven by Mercedes-AMG’s rambunctious 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine, the all-wheel driven SL features new technology and the latest performance learnings from the boffin’s at Affalterbach. AMG has been heavily involved in the development of the SL, hoping to give the luxury convertible an extra dose of dynamism to go with the slew of new technology.
AMG has developed an entirely new platform for the SL called Modular Sports Architecture (MSA), which will be shared with the next-generation AMG GT at the very least, while several key changes to the car’s design have been introduced, to reposition it.
Key to the new MSA platform is a lightweight aluminum spaceframe upon which the new SL’s bodyshell sits. A material mixture of aluminum, steel, magnesium and fibre composites has been used to achieve rigidity that exceeds that of the AMG GT in some parameters, but crucially means that the new SL’s body shell structure has 18 per cent increased torsional rigidity over the old model’s.
It’s a scalable platform and we’ll see other new models use it; for example, the next AMG GT has already been confirmed on the MSA by Mercedes. Multiple powertrain configurations and electrification are possible, but for now Mercedes has confirmed a pair of V8 models and has promised an E-Performance plug-in hybrid model due at some point in the SL’s lifespan.
The new SL is a 2+2 roadster with a folding fabric hood; the soft-top has been reintroduced for a lower centre of gravity and for weight reduction of 21kg over an equivalent folding hard top. Mercedes says it takes 15 seconds for the roof to open or close, a process activated via a panel on the centre console or by way of a menu on the touchscreen infotainment system, and possible at up to 60km/h.
The exterior design carries over no part from any other Mercedes model but is in key with the brand’s current design language. The front end uses a Panamerica style grille with vertical slats but is differentiated from the AMG GT with triangular headlights. The passenger cell is more in the middle of the car, to create space for the two booster seats behind the driver and passenger. The sloping rear end sports a pair of well defined shoulders over the rear axle, while at the rear is a longer bootlid with an integrated spoiler, quad exit exhausts and large triangular LED taillights. Further active aerodynamic underbody parts are optional.
Underneath the bonnet, the V8 engine produces 430kW at 5500-6500rpm and 800Nm of torque from 2500-5000rpm through a nine-speed automatic transmission, resulting in a blistering 0-100km/h time of 3.6 seconds, and the top speed is 315km/h.
Some of the premium appointments include a Burmester surround sound stereo with 11 speakers, 11.9-inch infotainment system with the latest MBUX software, nappa leather seats and a suite of advanced safety systems.
Th new Mercedes-AMG SL is available to order now.