10. Mercedes-AMG SL
7
- Design7
- Interior9
- Performance8
- Ride & Handling7
- Costs7
Pros
Turbo V8 lends abundant pace, polish and drama to the drive
Cloth hood is neatly packaged
Objective performance and handling gains are clear
Cons
New second-row seats are small, even by drop-top class standards
Compromises to SL’s well- established cruising manners are also clear
Cabin has abundant digital tech but lacks a little material lustre
Best for: Interior luxury
Over the years, the Mercedes-Benz SL has swung between an out-and-out sports car and a sunshine-seeking cruiser. This latest iteration has aimed to be more of the former and less of the latter.
New chassis and drivetrain technology undoubtedly makes the SL 63 more effective as a sports car.
Underpinned by an all-new aluminium platform, the R232 has been engineered exclusively by the performance-enhancing engineers at AMG, which gives you the clearest indication of its intent.
The entry-level engine is the 470bhp twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 in the SL 55, which results in a claimed 0-62mph sprint of 3.9sec and 183mph top speed. If that’s a bit tame for you, the SL 63 offers a 577bhp version of the same unit.
Whichever way you cut it, the SL is a more dynamic and capable car than its predecessor, with quick steering, strong grip and taut body control. It’s aided by four-wheel drive to help deploy that V8’s considerable firepower, too.
That said, anyone expecting Porsche 911 levels of driver interaction and agility will be disappointed, as the SL still feels a little too big and bloated in this company.
