Mercedes-AMG introduced the redesigned SL last fall and now the company has announced the convertible will start at US$ 137,400 in the United States. Set to arrive at dealerships shortly, the entry-level SL 55 Touring is the unofficial car of summer as it’s a beautiful drop top that replaces both the old SL and AMG GT Roadster. Besides the power soft top, the SL 55 Touring comes equipped with LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and an active rear spoiler. They’re joined by 20-inch wheels that are backed up by a high-performance braking system with red calipers, which grab onto perforated and ventilated discs.
Moving into the cabin, drivers will find a
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that resides behind an AMG Performance
steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather. To the right is an 11.9-inch
infotainment system, which features GPS navigation as well as wireless Android
Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Putting the screens aside, the
convertible boasts heated and ventilated active multicontour front seats with
massage and an Airscarf neck-level heating system. Other highlights include a
heated steering wheel, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, and a
Burmester surround sound system. Buyers will also find illuminated door sill
plates, a 64-color LED ambient lighting system, and a wireless smartphone
charger.
Power is provided by a twin-turbo
4.0-liter V8 engine that develops 469 hp and 699
Nm of torque. It’s connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission and a
standard all-wheel drive system. This setup enables the car to rocket from 0-96 km/h in approximately 3.8 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 294 km/h. While the standard model is pretty impressive, customers can upgrade
to a Performance trim that adds a front axle lift system and an AMG Active Ride
Control suspension. The Performance trim also comes equipped with the AMG
Dynamic Plus Package, which adds yellow brake calipers and an electronic
limited-slip rear differential.
Buyers looking for more performance can
upgrade to the US$ 178,100 SL 63. It features a more powerful twin-turbo V8
developing 577 hp and 799 Nm of torque. This cuts
the 0-96 km/h time to around 3.5 seconds, while the top speed
increases to 315 km/h. Additional changes are limited, but the SL 63
comes better equipped as it features an AMG Active Ride Control suspension, the
AMG Dynamic Plus Package, augmented reality navigation, and an AMG Track Pace app
for the infotainment system.