SL is one of Mercedes’ most enduring nameplates, going back nearly 70 years to the iconic 300 Super Light, later shortened to 300SL of the 1950s. This week an all-new Mercedes-AMG SL made its debut on the world stage. The R232-generation SL has been shown to us in various guises for months. Mercedes’ PR division has been drip feeding us with info and images of highly camouflaged test mules (such as these). Finally the wraps have come off and the all-new Mercedes-AMG SL is a stunner.

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Mean looker

Its design language follows that of other modern Mercs. You can see the headlamp treatment is quite close in execution to the A-class while the taillamps are not far off from the GT63 four-door coupe. The front grille is as per other AMG models featuring vertical slats. Quad exhausts at the rear flank a fared in diffuser. An automatic rear spoiler hides atop the rump when the car is not on the move. Rolling stock consists of massive alloys wrapped in low-profile rubber. 

Check out the SA price of the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series at this link.

All versions of the new SL are convertibles with a triple-layer fabric roof that can be lowered and raised at speeds of up to 50 km/h. There is also a second set of seats in the back, but those are probably only suited to very small children or for extra luggage.

High-tech and modern

The treatment in the cabin is pure high-tech with a massive infotainment screen taking centre stage on the facia. Mercedes designers realise that reading the screen may be difficult with the top stowed so it is adjustable through a wide range for better legibility. Ahead of the driver is another digital readout. 

Learn about the Porsche-developed 500E by clicking here.

Occupants are housed in leather-clad chairs, the front items feature air vents at neck level so you can drive with the top down in winter (that’s just about the only time one can drive a drop top car with the roof open in SA, lest you enjoy being seared by the strong sun).

More sporty

This latest generation SL is less of a grand tourer and more of sportscar to rival the likes of Porsche’s drop-top 911s. That is quite fitting as the original SL was conceived as a racecar from the get go. In keeping with the theme the all-new SL was developed by Mercedes-AMG, and will be badged accordingly.

Watch the upcoming Mercedes-AMG C63 testing at the ’Ring in this video.

Two variants were shown this week, the SL55 and SL63. Both versions feature Mercedes-AMG’s now familiar twin-turbocharged 4,0-litre V8. In SL55 guise it produces 350 kW of power and 700 N.m of torque while the range-leading SL63 dished up 430 kW/800 N.m. Thanks to a launch control function the SL55 can sprint from rest to 100 km/h in 3,9 seconds and has a top speed of 295 km/h. The more powerful version can blitz the benchmark sprint in 3,6 seconds and it has a top speed of 315 km/h.

Drive is fed to the road through a nine-speed automatic transmission to an all-wheel-drive system, which is a first in the SL’s long history. An electromechanically controlled clutch links the rear axle with the front. Under most conditions power is sent solely to the rear wheels. Under high loads power is directed to the front wheels as well.

See both derivatives of the all-new Mercedes-AMG SL in the videos below.