Top end of town car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has announced details of the latest AMG versions of the new SL. It is fast, expensive and set to be on back order in Australia.
The SL 63 AMG will be powered by its 6.3-litre V8, which will develop 525bhp and 465lb-ft of torque, and will come with the all-new seven-speed AMG Speedshift sequential-shift automatic transmission. This has, in place of a torque converter, a wet start-up clutch and double-declutching and Race Start functions – effectively launch control.
The engine revs right up to 7,200rpm, and features ‘a wealth of fascinating racetrack technology’, says Mercedes: it’ll give 0-60mph acceleration in 4.6 seconds, though top speed is electronically limited to 300klm.
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SL 63 AMG gallery
AMG has tuned the sports suspension, with active body control and three-stage stability control, with selectable sport and comfort settings. The ESP can also be switched off. Brakes have been uprated, with 360mm composite discs up front and 330mm discs to the rear, and 19″ triple-spoke wheels with titanium grey finish are fitted.
The SL 63 AMG will be distinguished from lesser SLs by its new black-painted radiator grille and wedge-shaped front apron, larger cooling vents and additional engine oil cooler outlets, a higher bonnet, dark-edged bi-xenon headlights, large circular front fog lamps, arrow-shaped door mirrors with LED repeated indicators, AMG side skirts and rear apron with black diffuser insert, twin chromed exhaust tailpipes and bootlid spoiler lip.
Inside the nappa leather/carbon-fibre-trimmed cabin, there’s mutli-adjustable, heated AMG-logoed sports seats, a three-spoke steering wheel with aluminium gearshift paddles, AMG instruments with ‘6.3 V8’ lettering on the rev counter and nappa leather surrounds, a race-timer lap-time function, displays for engine oil and battery voltage data, and a new-generation telematics/audio system. The Airscarf neck-level heating system is optional.
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SL 65 AMG gallery
If that isn’t powerful enough, then there’s the SL 65 AMG, with a 612bhp, 738lb-ft twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12. This is good for 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds and 155mph; more of a high-speed luxury cruiser than the V8, it has the five-speed AMG Speedshift transmission with limited-slip differential, plus larger brake discs and different titanium grey twin-spoke 19″ wheels. Unique design touches include ‘V12 Biturbo’ lettering on the front wings, diamond-patterned nappa leather upholstery, and ‘V12 Biturbo’ lettering on the rev counter.
Options on offer with both the SL 63 and SL 65 include an exterior carbon-fibre package, with carbon-fibre front apron air vents, exterior mirror housings, spoiler lip and diffuser insert, a smaller flat-bottomed steering wheel, illuminated door sill panels and different wheel designs. The SL 63 AMG is also offered with the Performance Package: internally ventilated composite front brake discs (390mm diameter), a multiple-disc limited-slip rear differential, 19″ forged light-alloy wheels, further-tuned sports suspension and the flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Both models will be launched in the UK in April; prices will be announced nearer to the on-sale date. No date is set for Australia.
