2022 Mercedes-AMG SL Unveiled: Soft Top, AWD, 2+2, AND V8!
You didn't think that was it, did you? No, there's a lot more tech debuting in the all-new SL. It's the first-ever design managed by Mercedes's design superstar Gorden Wagener and it's the first-ever SL developed in-house by AMG. But before we get lost in facts too much, let's get down to business and find out what the new Mercedes-AMG SL actually is.
As mentioned in the title of the article, the all-new Mercedes-AMG is a 2+2 seater. Mercedes-AMG tells us they did this because they wanted to offer more practicality than they currently do with their AMG GT. Don't you think adults can sit in the back though, it's premium seating for tiny offspring and dogs. There's a lightweight composite aluminum structure at the base of this car, again all-new. Its layout offers space for more than just the two occupants, it also offers space for the AMG 4.0-litre V8 M177 engine and their AWD 4MATIC+ system. That backbone also allowed for "typical SL proportions" as Mercedes-AMG likes to call it, more on that later. Last but not least on the list of improvements coming from that new structure is the structural benefits. Torsional rigidity has increased by 18 percent over its predecessor and transverse rigidity is 50% up compared to the AMG GT Roadster, and longitudinal rigidity another 40% compared to the GT Roadster.
But why bring the SL back to life? Mercedes wanted a new chapter of this icon in the brand’s timeline and that only happens when you create another model. This new SL goes back to the origin of the car’s heritage: being a sports car that aims at combining comfort with performance. So the SL is not a successor for the AMG GT, nor is it a replacement. GT owners are more focused on driving on the edge, going to the track, etc. Whilst the SL customer will use the car as a daily driver or just for a nice cruise on a sunny weekend with their dog in the back seat. And this was the biggest challenge in creating the SL, combining the performance with the comfort to provide the best sports car in its segment.
SL 63 and SL 55…say what?
Mercedes-AMG will start off by offering two variants of the SL, being the SL55 4Matic+ (the grey one) and the SL63 4Matic+ (the red one). No word on any ‘S’ variants or any hybrid technology. Insiders did already hint at a 4-cylinder hybrid variant and maybe even a V8 hybrid. Anyway, who’s complaining when both of these come with the well-known 4.0-liter V8? For the SL55 the maximum output peaks at 476 hp and 700 Nm, for the SL 63 it comes down to 585 hp and a monstrous 800 Nm. For the ‘63’ variant, zero to a hundred is met in 3.6 seconds and the Vmax is met at 315 km/h. For the ‘55’ variant, zero to a hundred is met in 3.9 and the Vmax is a respectable 295 km/h.
Mercedes-AMG states the power difference is created solely by bigger boost pressure, optimized airflow, and different ECU mapping. The difference between the two variants houses in other hardware than those on its power plant. The most powerful variant does however weigh 20 kilograms more, tipping the scale at 1970 kilograms. Both models benefit from the AMG’s 9-speed transmission with a wet starting clutch setup. This setup replaces the heavier torque converter and therefore improves the gas response. After power rushes through that 9-speed, fully variable torque distribution is continuously modulated through the well-known 4MATIC+ system.
Where the SL 63 comes with active engine mounts, these are optional for the SL 55. An electronically controlled rear-axle limited-slip differential is standard on the SL 63, and you guessed it: it's optional on the SL 55, being part of the ‘AMG DYNAMIC PLUS’ package. There’s one thing the SL 55 won’t ever be able to equip via the options list and that’s the new ‘AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL’ suspension. This technology premieres on the SL 63 variant and deserves its own paragraph. But what does the ‘55’ get in terms of suspension? A reworked ‘AMG RIDE CONTROL' steel suspension that uses lightweight coil springs and is still fully adjustable all around. It does this while offering a minimum of influences on the steering during lateral acceleration. Neither of the SL models get ceramic brakes as standard, these are optional for both.
As mentioned above, Mercedes-AMG is equipping the SL 63 with ‘AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL’. This technology might be a first for AMG but it is something you might recognize from McLaren going back to the MP4-12C. It comes down to the mechanical connections of the torsion bars being replaced by a system without a mechanical connection. Instead, it uses a hydraulic connection in which the dampening coefficients are regulated via control valves. This system has the same function as the torsion bar but it benefits from the absence of physical properties of the torsion bars hindering the modularity. Figuratively ‘AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL’ is a “hydraulic torsion bar” that can be modulated in a far greater range than the traditional (physical) torsion bar. The advantages of this system? Better steering feels during load-changes and turn-ins, whilst offering more comfort as well. Imagine how nimble this car will feel, aided by the standard rear-axle steering alongside this system (2.5 degrees for the rear).
New Look
The new Mercedes-AMG SL features an all-new design managed by Gordon Wagener itself. The front has a resemblance to the Mercedes Vision GT, aggressive but very elegant. The long bonnet is a signature design trait to the SL, on top, you’ll find the return of a soft-top to the SL timeline. The first time since 2001 actually. When we asked Gorden Wagener about the choice for a soft-top roof instead of a hard-top, he told us that he insisted on doing a soft top. They had already done a hard-top for the last 20 years. The added benefit of the soft top is that it’s a lot more compact than a hard-top. This made it easier to create the 2+2 architecture and giving the rear a harder drop-off. The 2+2 architecture also meant there’s more space behind the front row to store things on longer journeys. Or to take your dog along for the ride because let's be honest: what dog doesn’t like to stick his head in the wind?
When asked about the return of a Gullwing SL, the answer wasn’t very hopeful. These days it’s very hard with legislation, the major problem is that it weighs a lot, which is bad for the center of gravity, and that’s also the reason why they didn’t do it on the AMG GT. If you’re saying it doesn’t look like the original SL, well the new SL is not designed to be a retro car. It’s more about a contemporary interpretation of the SL. Its similarities reside in proportions, dimensions, cab in the back, and a long front-end. Mercedes will never do retro design because they are not looking back when designing new cars.
Inside the car, there’s plenty of recognizable design and hardware from the latest models in the lineup of Mercedes, cars like the C-Class and S-Class. The placement of the central control is unique, as it can be tilted to reduce glare (along with the anti-glare coating). Also unique to the SL is the layout of the fully digital dashboard, which is now tucked away in a visor-like cut-out of the dashboard. Again to reduce glare. The standard for the SL interior is an AMG steering wheel with the AMG steering wheel buttons which allows the driver to toggle between drive modes. Standard seats are the white ones you see down below, optional are AMG performance seats.
Performance of the SL
As you may or may not know yet, the SL stands for Sport-Leicht (Sport-Light). Whether Mercedes has outdone themselves with the new spaceframe in terms of weight reduction can be debated. But being fitted with all the latest technologies that you’ll find throughout the Mercedes range, the SL won’t just be dragging weight around fore no reason. We’re guessing the car will perform excellent on any surface and in any weather but as you will undoubtedly understand, we’ll have to thoroughly test every aspect in every possible setting. For now, we’ll just drool over the images. What a beauty.
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