My FH5 Log: The Mercedes SL - Then and Now

First emerging in 1954, the SL rewrote the rules of grand touring for seven decades from the gullwing-doored first-generation W198 model to the current-generation Mercedes-AMG SL W232 range. How does it start and go? Let's find out.

For seven decades, the lineage of the SL, ranging from W198 to W232, has epitomized the enduring legacy of one of Mercedes-Benz's most celebrated grand touring automobiles. This remarkable journey highlights the impressive design evolution and engineering prowess of the SL and its unwavering status as a symbol of luxury and performance.

The Mercedes-Benz 300SL, codenamed W198, was introduced in 1954 as a coupe with fascinating gullwing doors and later an open roadster. This car is a softened road-legal version based on the company's successful 1952 race car, the W194. It comes with the 3.0L M198 SOHC I6 engine fitted with a Bosch mechanical gasoline direct injection system that generates about 212-222 hp. It was mated with the 4-speed manual transmission.

What about the W232 model? No longer called the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, the first-ever Mercedes-AMG SL continues the SL lineage in a new approach.  Sized and styled to AMG GT standards, the Mercedes-AMG SL is powered by the same 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine as the said model. In the SL63, it produces 585PS of power and while mated to an AMG Speedshift 9G and 4MATIC+, it does 0-100kph time of 3.6 seconds and 315kph of top speed.

I'm going to the sandy Bahia de Plano to see how much the Mercedes-Benz SL has evolved from the W198 to the W232. Let's roll the tape and find out!

Here are the results...

300SL (W198) - 1m14.908s

SL63 (W232) - 0m57.741s

According to my Forza Horizon 5 standards, it took over 17 seconds for the Mercedes SL to evolve from the W198 300SL to the Mercedes-AMG SL63. Impressive, I dare say.

The Mercedes-Benz SL has been around for a long time, and it's one of the longest-running nameplates in Mercedes history. As I've said before, the SL rewrote the rules of what a grand tourer should be in terms of elegance and performance. The W232 Mercedes-AMG SL is the pinnacle of the SL lineage, and with its elegance and performance inherited from its ancestors, the star is reborn after all.

With the SL's evolution check sorted, it's time for my little surprise for the Mercedes-AMG SL63. As I said before, my brain just hatched an idea. What role will the Mercedes-AMG SL63 4MATIC+ play in Horizon Mexico? It's long overdue but here goes...

Ight, this is what happens when you let an AiPri character, Airi Mitsuba of Quartet STAR, overcook my SL63 with power similar to today's SL63 S E Performance but with less torque and added anti-lag trickery to shoot some flames from its exhaust. This is like the time she called her cleaning robot Samba. Thanks, Airi-chan.

With trickery provided by Airi-chan, my SL63 is taking on an EventLab creation by AndyPsBack. It's based in the Playa Azul area but with some added high-speed straights and stuff inspired by the Singapore Marina. This player called his EventLab invention "Azul Bay" and I'm here to sample it. Roll the tape.

I guess this is what the journey to the mind of Airi Mitsuba feels like. Arriba!

There you have it, folks. The SL of the new normal. The Star is Reborn. I have nothing else to say but right now, if you have a backstage pass, now's the time to get one. 

It's nice to see prize cars in FH5 permanently stay in the game's Backstage Shop, where you can spend your Backstage Pass for one prize car from past updates. The list updates regularly just so you know.

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