AMG has been charged with transforming the image of Stuttgart’s most iconic model to that of a driver-focused sports car. Has it succeeded? Mercedes-AMG SL review
“When you look back into the history of the SL, you see that it all began with motorsport. With the new model, we’ve attempted to make that link again,” says Jochen Hermann, AMG’s chief technical officer. “But we haven’t forgotten that customers these days also place a high priority on versatility, which is why we’ve made adjustments to the layout to give it two extra seats that make it easier to live with as an everyday car.
Underpinning it all is a largely bespoke steel suspension. It uses a new five-link double-wishbone set-up at the front and a multi-link arrangement similar to that of the GT at the rear, in combination with standard adaptive dampers and new lightweight coil springs developed specifically for this application.
As well as an altered intake system, repositioned intercoolers, a new oil pan, changes to its crankcase for added cooling efficiency and a modified exhaust, the latter version of the AMG powerplant benefits from revised active engine mounts. These stiffen and soften according to load, isolating vibrations within the body structure and substantially reducing load change.
The low-set front seats are more heavily sculptured than before and have their headrests integrated for added support and a more sporting look, plus Mercedes’ neck-warming Airscarf system. The SL 55 recommends itself as the more accomplished everyday proposition with a broad spectrum of ability. However, the SL 63 is always a tick more responsive, faster, louder and, in the end, exciting to drive.
This is a heavy car with all the luxury you could wish for, yet it operates with the fluidity of movement and responsiveness to inputs of something much lighter and more spartan. The big increase in body stiffness, lower centre of gravity and networked suspension with four-wheel steering all combine to deliver new-found response, sweetly struck handling and great athleticism.
There’s fun to be had, though, as the torque-laden delivery does allow you to unsettle the back end in the more liberal of the driving modes, which programme the four-wheel drive system to deliver almost exclusive rear-drive traits, with some provocation. It’s all carefully controlled by the electronics.
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