We already knew a lot about the new Mercedes SL, but we were eagerly looking forward to the official unveiling of the iconic roadster. Especially because the new Mercedes SL has changed the gun, because the new generation will also replace the Mercedes S-Class Cabrio and the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster. It remains a luxurious cruiser, but one with a sharp edge. The links with the original super light are cited again.
Active aero and digital light technology
And you can see that in the body design, because the new Mercedes SL looks significantly more muscular than its predecessor. The athletic proportions, with an aggressive face and swollen wheel arches in addition to a long wheelbase and short overhangs, are more reminiscent of those of the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster. Also note the recessed door handles and the active rear spoiler integrated into the tailgate.
The aerodynamics of this roadster are very good, with a flat underbody and a two-piece Airpanel system that uses the wind as efficiently as possible. Optionally, the new Mercedes SL comes with the so-called Aerodynamic Package, which combines larger spoiler elements with an active subfloor and a larger rear diffuser. Mercedes is also very proud of the Digital Light technology, where each headlight features three LED modules whose light is refracted by 1.3 million micro-mirrors – giving a resolution of 2.6 million pixels.
A canvas roof and a 2+2 configuration
No more hard folding roof, the new Mercedes SL grabs a more elegant and lighter (-21 kilograms) soft top. The canvas roof consists of three layers, including an acoustic mat that aims to reduce ambient noise to a minimum. A heated glass rear window protrudes into the fabric roof. Opening (or closing) does not have to take longer than 15 seconds, a striptease number that the new Mercedes SL manages at speeds of up to 50 km/h. The Airscarf technology integrated into the headrests, which keeps your head warm on chilly convertible days, is standard equipment.
The new Mercedes SL has become a 2+2, as has been the case in the past. So don’t expect a full-fledged rear seat, but extra space that you can use for both people and luggage.
The Mbux multimedia technology used in the new Mercedes SL looks familiar. Nevertheless, the roadster has specific features, such as the digital instrumentation with 3D technology that remains readable even in direct sunlight. And like the central display of the infotainment system, a touch screen in portrait format that you can adjust from 12 to 32 degrees.
New base: MSA
The new Mercedes SL builds on the brand new MSA platform (short for Modular Sport Architecture), an aluminum spaceframe that does not take over any element of the previous SL or the AMG GT Roadster. Compared to the previous generation, the torsional stiffness of the body structure has increased by 18%, the transverse and longitudinal stiffness is 50 and 40% higher, respectively, than that of the AMG GT Roadster.
We also note a special front suspension, a new generation of springs and stabilizer bars with variable thickness, technological updates that aim for maximum dynamics for as little weight as possible. The adaptive damping is of course standard.
The Mercedes SL 63 4Matic+ innovates with the latest generation of AMG Active Ride Control, a semi-active suspension with hydraulic roll stabilization. This system aims to offer maximum driving comfort and stability when cruising and as much sharpness and control as possible during better cornering. Those driving characteristics are further emphasized by the active four-wheel steering, with a rear axle steering up to 2.5 degrees, which is standard on both the SL 55 and SL 63.
V8 engines with 4Matic+
At the market launch of the new Mercedes SL, the roadster will be offered as SL 55 and SL 63, both powered by AMG’s V8 biturbo. In the SL 55, the pressure-fed 4-litre engine develops an output of 476 hp for a maximum torque of 700 Nm, the Mercedes SL 63 produces 585 hp and 800 Nm. That power is put on the tarmac via the AMG Speedshift MCT 9G transmission, with a wet clutch instead of a torque converter. But the big news is the 4×4 system, a first for the Mercedes SL.
The all-wheel drive 4Matic+ comes with a fully variable torque distribution on both axles. The SL 63 adds an electronically controlled rear differential, an active LSD that remains optional on the SL 55 (it belongs to the AMG Dynamic Plus package). The calibration largely depends on the selected driving mode of the AMG Dynamic Select (with steering wheel controls), which offers the settings Smooth, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual. The SL 63 comes standard with the Race driving mode.
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