2022 Mercedes-AMG SL 55 and SL 63: All-wheel-drive V8 roadsters debut

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL has been unveiled, marking a new generation of the German carmaker’s iconic GT sports car.

For the first time, the SL will be offered as a standalone 2+2 model from AMG, having been developed from the ground-up by the Mercedes-Benz high-performance division.

Two variants of the new roadster will initially debut – the 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL 55 4Matic+ and the 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL 63 4Matic+ – offering two different power outputs from a hand-assembled 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, each mated to AMG’s Speedshift multi-clutch nine-speed automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels.

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The 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL 55 produces 350kW and 700Nm to deliver the vehicle to 100km/h from a standstill in a claimed 3.9 seconds, on the way to a maximum of 295km/h.

The range-topping 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL 63 takes that to 430kW and 800Nm, dropping the 0-100km/h sprint time to a claimed 3.6 seconds, with the car’s high-speed rated at 315km/h.

Additional powertrain options will be added in the future, including a high-performance petrol-electric hybrid.

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Along with all-wheel drive, the all-new SL features rear-axle steering – allowing the rear wheels to steer with the front wheels for smooth lane changes on the freeway, or go in the opposite direction to them at speeds below 100km/h – with greater responsiveness when when sport+ driving mode is selected.

Along with Sport+, the driver can choose from slippery, comfort, sport, and individual modes, with race driving mode available as standard on the SL 63, or as part of the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package on the SL 55.

Handling has been a focus of the new roadster, with a lightweight composite chassis said to have been developed for a lower centre-of-gravity, as well as delivering high levels of rigidity. The carmaker states the new SL has 50 per cent higher transverse rigidity than the outgoing AMG GT Roadster, with longitudinal being 40 per cent higher.

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The SL 63 also debuts AMG’s Active Ride Control, which uses hydraulic anti-roll technology to replace traditional passive stabilisation bars. Mercedes says the newly-developed system allows the vehicle’s suspension to deliver a comfortable ride, while keeping the body flat during cornering.

All suspension links, steering knuckles, and hub carriers have been created from forged aluminium to reduce unsprung weight, further improving ride and handling, while a special technique has been developed to reduce the heft of the car’s springs.

An electronically-controlled limited-slip rear differential comes standard on the SL 63, and as part of the SL 55’s optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package.

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Pulling the V8 roadster up is a set of 390x36mm drilled and vented composite brake discs, coupled with six-piston fixed callipers at the front, and 360x26mm rear rotors with single-piston callipers at the rear.

Buyers can option a ceramic high-performance composite system, increasing the disc size to 402x39mm and 360x32mm respectively, while further reducing weight.

A two-piece Airpanel has been created to improve the AMG’s aerodynamics, with two hidden louvres placed behind the front air intakes to help direct airflow to the car’s active undercar profile – unless engine temperatures trigger their opening.

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At the back of the car, an integrated rear spoiler helps lower drag or increase rear-axle traction – depending on the vehicle’s speed and the driver’s inputs.

The combination of active aero has reduced the SL’s drag coefficient to just 0.31 – a fair way off the 0.20 from the electric 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS, but an impressive number for a convertible.

Inside, the driver is greeted with a 12.3-inch high-definition digital instrument cluster, integrated into an aviation-inspired dashboard with ambient lighting. Located in the centre console is an 11.9-inch portrait-mounted touchscreen featuring the latest generation of the company’s MBUX infotainment system.

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As well as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and bluetooth connectivity, MBUX offers DAB+ digital radio, satellite navigation with live traffic and real-time parking capability, Car-to-X communication, and Mercedes Me Connect, as well as ‘Hey Mercedes’ hands-free voice assistant across 28 languages.

The Mercedes-AMG SL also features the latest active driving safety systems as found on the S-Class, which includes attention assist, active cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, lane-change assist, emergency stop, active brake assist with cross-traffic function, and blind-spot alert with safe exit warning.

To aid night driving, the digital light function allows the car to project warning symbols onto the road surface to warn the driver of hazards such as pedestrians, roadworks and intersections.

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Buyers can choose from 12 paint options, including two exclusively for the SL, along with three roof colours and a number of wheel options ranging from 19 to 21 inches.

While Australian pricing and specification has yet to be released, it’s expected the new model will be similarly priced to the outgoing Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster and previous-shape 2018 Mercedes-AMG SL 63 at approximately $370,000 before on-road costs.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL is expected to arrive in Australia in the second half of next year.