Mercedes-AMG SL (R232)

For nearly seven decades, the SL became a legend in the Mercedes heritage since the legendary 300SL of the 50s. Fast forward to this decade and the SL legend lives on at the hands of Mercedes-AMG. Welcome to the Mercedes-AMG SL.

2023 Mercedes-AMG SL

No longer called the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, the first-ever Mercedes-AMG SL continues the SL lineage in a whole new approach by delivering a new kind of driving experience speedo boys will never forget.

For starters, the sizing of the AMG SL is somewhat bigger compared to the R231 predecessor despite being sized to AMG GT standards. Of course, the AMG SL served as the replacement for the AMG GT Roadster so no complaints here. As for the design, it's obviously similar to the AMG GT so, again, no complaints. Oh wait, there's one and that's the roof because, being on the left side of their tradition, the new model ditched the Vario-Roof approach in favor of a more traditional one. A snub on one of their innovations, if you know what I mean. Despite that, the AMG SL is still an elegant grand tourer that can be taken on the road and on the track as most speedo boys do.

2023 Mercedes-AMG SL

Moving aside from its dynamic and sporty exterior design, the AMG SL's interior is what happens when you invite Chappie for a cup of tea that tastes like lemons. Speaking of lemons, it's the massive touchscreen that most speedo boys will irritate the most. What's even more irritating is the "Hey Mercedes" voice feature and when your date starts saying this magic word, all hell breaks loose while cruising on the streets of New York, Miami, or Los Angeles. Leaving aside from the unfortunate touch screen that is sized like a Tesla, the AMG SL's seats can be tailored to either plushy or sporty, depending on whatever you want for this ride. After all, it's all in the name of the "make money, make dream" approach.

What about performance? Beginning with the SL55, which is priced at 158,240 Euros plus additional costs, the 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine produces 476PS of power, while the 187,098 Euro SL63 produces a massive 585PS of power, capable of 0-100kph time of 3.6 seconds and 315kph of top speed. All are mated to a 9-speed MCT and 4MATIC+. What? The AMG SL is a four-wheel-drive roadster? Absolutely and while its layout irritates speedo boys, its fully variable torque distribution allows it to behave in either a four-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive, depending on road conditions.

Combined with the most sophisticated suspension and dynamics setup honed by AMG engineers, the end result is an all-rounder sports car that can be enjoyed almost everywhere and it delivers a mega punch on the straights.

Having a blast enjoying its dynamics fit for an open-top grand tourer, the AMG SL is stuck with the most advanced driving assistance systems and while such things work in normal driving conditions, they can be worth intimidating for speedo boys behind the wheel.

Is the Mercedes-AMG SL a revolution or a sacrilege to the SL lineage? No one knows until you get a hold of it but either way, this one's on the wish list because...argh, we just want one, please.

Photo: Daimler AG