A very bourgeois roadster, the Mercedes-Benz SL has evolved towards ever greater comfort over the decades. The last generations addressed themselves to a affluent clientele, more interested in riding with the wind blowing hair in the greatest comfort, than in any ounce of sportiness. Although there were versions prepared by AMG. In short, the SL forgot that its number meant “Sport und Leicht”, or sporty and light. For the new generation, whose code name is R232, it is a turning point that has been negotiated. The brand with the star claims the glorious past of the line, invoking the 300 SL of 1954, derived from the winning car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Carrera Panamericana in 1952.
Witness of the desire to exacerbate the sportiness of the new SL, the design of this seventh generation was entrusted to AMG, sports division of Mercedes. No version is stamped Mercedes-Benz, it is now appropriate to speak of Mercedes-AMG SL. For the occasion, the Afflaterbach pharmacy has concocted a completely new platform, which will also serve the second generation of Mercedes-AMG GT. To prevent the two cars from stepping on each other’s toes, the GT will no longer be available as a convertible, the body type of which the SL will have the exclusivity.
A typical Mercedes style
The designers split with a typical Mercedes pencil stroke. This roadster displays a fullness and a compact volume which allow harmonious proportions. This SL is one of the rare cabriolets to appear more elegant with the hood up than open. The canvas roof (which throws nettles the retractable hardtop of the two previous generations), displays lines that fall delicately towards the callipygian stern of this roadster. A few details are disappointing, however, such as the fake plastic air vents on the front fenders, barely worthy of a car center tuning gadget. The Mercedes-AMG SL is beautiful, it’s an appreciation that few people will dispute. But it does not have the visual impact of supercars sold at the same price (more than €200,000 for our test copy). Place it next to a BMW Z4, few will guess it’s worth triple. This can be an argument for those looking for discretion, just as it can turn some people’s heels.
A very bourgeois roadster, the Mercedes-Benz SL has evolved towards ever greater comfort over the decades. The last generations addressed themselves to a affluent clientele, more interested in riding with the wind blowing hair in the greatest comfort, than in any ounce of sportiness. Although there were versions prepared by AMG. In short, the SL forgot that its number meant “Sport und Leicht”, or sporty and light. For the new generation, codenamed R232, this is a turning point. The brand with the star claims the glorious past of the line, invoking the 300 SL of 1954, derived from the winning car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Carrera Panamericana in 1952.
Witness of the desire to exacerbate the sportiness of the new SL, the design of this seventh generation was entrusted to AMG, the sports division of Mercedes. No version is stamped Mercedes-Benz, it is now appropriate to speak of Mercedes-AMG SL. For the occasion, the Affalterbach pharmacy has concocted a completely new platform, which will also serve the second generation of Mercedes-AMG GT. To prevent the two cars from stepping on each other’s toes, the GT will no longer be available as a convertible, the body type of which the SL will have the exclusivity.
A typical Mercedes style
The designers split with a typical Mercedes pencil stroke. This roadster displays a fullness and a compact volume which allow harmonious proportions. This SL is one of the rare cabriolets to appear more elegant with the hood up than open. The canvas roof (which throws nettles the retractable hardtop of the two previous generations), displays lines that fall delicately towards the callipygian stern of this roadster. A few details disappoint, however, such as the fake plastic air vents on the front fenders, barely worthy of a car center tuning gadget. The Mercedes-AMG SL is beautiful, it’s an appreciation that few people will dispute. But it does not have the visual impact of supercars sold at the same price (more than €200,000 for our test copy). Place it next to a BMW Z4, few will guess it’s worth triple. This can be an argument for those looking for discretion, just as it can turn some people’s heels.
The first rounds of wheels are reassuring: AMG has not transformed the SL into an unlivable racing beast on a daily basis. Admittedly, the large width (1.92 m, for a length of 4.70 m) can give some cold sweats on a daily basis in the narrow streets, but the beast is easily tamed. The nine-speed automatic transmission, whose torque converter has been replaced by a multi-disc clutch, manages to avoid brutality, even if it imposes a certain inertia, in Comfort mode in the city. And the consumption is frankly excessiveeven for the category: impossible to go below 16 l/100 km, and our average was set at 18 l/100 km.
The controlled damping suspension retains a pleasant flexibility, skillfully absorbing the irregularities of the road. Only a few rebounds from the large 21-inch wheels are noticeable, although well muffled. In short, the SL retains the comfort that made it successful, even if it does not reach the padded feel of a Bentley Continental GTC, equipped with its three-chamber air springs. In addition, the soundproofing appears remarkable, for a model with a canvas top.
The V8 is generous but not explosive
If the comfort contract is fulfilled, it remained to be seen whether AMG had kept its promise of assertive sportiness. It’s already going through the engine. While waiting for the E-Performance rechargeable hybrid and the four-cylinder SL 43, only one version is currently offered in the catalog in France. It’s about Mercedes-AMG SL 63, powered by the well-known V8 M 177 from the German tuner, with a displacement of 4.0 liters. Here it develops the respectable 585hp and 800Nm of torque, putting it at the top of the class. That’s enough on paper to make it a real dragster.
Indeed, this V8 displays an insolent health, as evidenced by the figure of acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 3.6 seconds and the top speed of 315 km / h announced by the brand. But the very high mass (1,970 kg) means that the SL no longer has anything “Leicht”, which spoils the “Sport” side a bit. From this excessive cavalry on the technical sheet, one could expect a more brutal kick in the buttocks. If we slam the accelerator all the way down, the SL 63 leaps forward with some restraint. The V8 appears well-mannered, almost an ideal son-in-law, who knows how to give off his baritone voice without excessively raising his voice. It’s a reassuring rumble that takes passengers on a small cloud, with as much gentleness as authority. This does not make you want to whip this roadster signed AMG. We prefer to drive it at 90% of its capacity (which is already enough to reach speeds that will make you look like a major criminal in court), taking advantage of the abundant torque of this engine which never seems to get upset, but also does not never run out. Rarely has a quiet ride been so fast.
Agility depends on a real technological arsenal
AMG may claim to have worked on the lightness of this SL, the facts are there. It’s about a very heavy car, and the inertia when entering turns is noticeable. But to give this big baby a semblance of agility, the engineers have implemented a wealth of technology. The damping controlled already mentioned is only a very common gadget next to the anti-roll system. As with McLaren, there is no anti-roll bar: to compensate for heeling when cornering, each shock absorber has two hydraulic chambers (one in compression, one in rebound), controlled in real time, with front/rear interaction. Thus, the precision is maximum. Also standard on the SL 63 is a four-wheel steering system, capable of turning the rear wheels 2.5° in the opposite direction to the front wheels below 100 km/h (0.7° in the same sense beyond) to help the car enter corners. Finally, the active engine mounts (whose rigidity varies thanks to a magnetorheological fluid) sometimes promote rigidity, sometimes comfort by isolating the vibrations of the V8. In this inventory à la Prévert, we are almost surprised to find very classic metallic coil springs…
All the technologies in the world will never make a car weighing more than two tonnes a sports car capable of breaking records on circuits. But that can be a damn illusion on the road. The steering is certainly not the most informative, but it is precise. In Sport+ or Race mode, the distribution of torque on the all-wheel drive is amplified on the rear axle, which helps to get out of turns when accelerating, with a slight sliding stern pivot. Maintaining a fast pace in excellent comfort, lulled by the roar of the V8, is then very pleasant. With one detail: the gearbox which stubbornly refuses to completely leave the hand to the driver. Even when the manual mode is engaged, it only shifts up a gear after a few seconds. Inconceivable, for a car that claims real sportiness.
Price: delusions of grandeur
Certainly, the bet is successful for the Mercedes-AMG SL 63. This roadster achieves a kind of squaring of the circle, with a driving pleasure and real performance, without sacrificing comfort. The problem is its price of €197,750 excluding options. That puts it very close to a Ferrari Portofino (€212,227) or a Bentley Continental GTC (€235,320). Two cars with legendary coats of arms. The Bentley also has the advantage of a very superior habitability and an incomparable finish. Because if Mercedes has filled up with gadgets (numerous driving aids, ambient lighting adjustable in all directions, central screen with variable inclination to avoid reflections, etc.), certain plastic elements are not up to standard. This is the case of the lacquered plastic that covers the central storage compartment or the tactile zones of the steering wheel, real fingerprint nests.
When you compare the price of this SL to equivalent rivals, you realize how big-headed AMG is. A BMW M8 Convertible, more powerful and spacious, is displayed at 182,800 €. And a 575 hp Jaguar F-Type R claims “only” €136,910. In short, the new SL is a very pleasant roadster, but it no longer has the aura of a racing car, as it did seventy years ago, to justify such astronomical claims. Or else, it lacks a touch of the exceptional in the presentation.
- Vigorous engine
- Ease of driving
- Comfort equipment
- Successful style
- High mass
- Excessive consumption
- Unconvincing manual mode
- Pretentious price
- Performances4/5
- Road behavior4/5
- Comfort4/5
- Practical aspects4/5
- Prices/equipment2/5
- Presentation quality4/5
- Consumption0/5
Sursa articolului in engleza: Mercedes-AMG SL 63: heavy, bourgeois, but sporty!