Friday 5th February 2016

New Mercedes SL prices announced

Fancy a new SL for spring/summer 2016? It won't come cheap darling

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In a world of ever changing Mercedes names and niche-busting models, it's nice to see certain stalwarts of the range remain unchanged. The SL is one of those, and prices have now announced for the facelifted car.

RHD cars are coming - sunshine not guaranteed

There are two full fat AMG models available as well as an SL400 and 500. The least powerful AMG is the SL63 (!), with the familiar 5.5-litre biturbo V8 and seven-speed Speedshift MCT automatic. It makes 585hp, reaches 62mph in 4.1 seconds and a £114,100 price tag.

For those who need a bit more, there's the 630hp, twin-turbo V12 SL65. It hits 62mph a whole tenth of a second quicker than the SL63, at four seconds dead. Although performance is boosted, so is the cost, coming in at a whopping £173,295. But then it does have 737lb ft...

The most affordable SL400 costs £73,805 in AMG Line spec, with 367hp being produced from its twin-turbo V6 - 34hp more than its predecessor - and a 0-62 time of 4.9 seconds. The SL500 takes it up a notch with the 5.5-litre V8 producing 455hp and a 0-62 time of 4.3 seconds, coming in at £82,850 before options.

SL400 starts at £73,805

Both AMG Line trim models come with Mercedes' 9G-Tronic Plus gearbox as standard, alongside a whole host of equipment, including Apple CarPlay, LED Intelligent Light System with Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Command Online and Magic Vision Control. It wouldn't be a Mercedes without some assists, right?

On top of this, both AMG models include composite brakes, AMG Dynamic Select, a performance steering wheel finished in Nappa leather and an AMG Sports exhaust system. There are also V8 or V12 BiTurbo badges on the front wings, just to let passers-by know what's under the bonnet.

So it's not a transformative change for this SL, but then what did you expect? As always it faces plenty of competition too, including the BMW M6 Convertible, Maserati GranCabrio and Bentley GTC. Which would you head to the coast in?

(Ryan Hirons)

[AH33]

They're asking a lot of £ for a little bit of extra performance, why would you get anything but the SL500?

[swisstoni]

If ever a car needed a clean sheet of paper redesign, this is it.

[E65Ross]

AH33 said:

They're asking a lot of £ for a little bit of extra performance, why would you get anything but the SL500?

Almost 30% more power isn't to be sniffed at. Secondly, the AMG will offer a different character of drive.... Different brakes, suspension, interior bits, more noise etc.

I'd take the AMG.

[j90gta]

swisstoni said:

If ever a car needed a clean sheet of paper redesign, this is it.

Hardly a looker is it!! It just looks bloated.

[kambites]

swisstoni said:

If ever a car needed a clean sheet of paper redesign, this is it.

Indeed. The original R230 was a fabulous looking car, I'd argue one of the more cohesive and timeless designs of the 00s; but the face-lifted R230 and everything since have been woeful. The overall proportions are still good but the detailing, especially of the nose, is a complete mess.

[SFO]

SL500 price has actually gone down a few hundred quid ..

[SFO]

ambient lighting also standard now .. was £265

[breadvan]

It needs nearly 600 bhp to get a 4.1 0-60 time???

[daveco]

kambites said:

swisstoni said:

If ever a car needed a clean sheet of paper redesign, this is it.

Indeed. The original R230 was a fabulous looking car, I'd argue one of the more cohesive and timeless designs of the 00s; but the face-lifted R230 and everything since have been woeful. The overall proportions are still good but the detailing, especially of the nose, is a complete mess.

In SL55 form the original R230 is one of the best looking cars Mercedes has ever produced imo

[E65Ross]

breadvan said:

It needs nearly 600 bhp to get a 4.1 0-60 time???

Sounds about right for a big GT car. Why would you expect any different? Look at other cars of similar ilk, such as the Bentley continental GT, Aston Martin Vanquish volante.... Not a great deal of difference.

Could you explain your apparent surprise?

[snoopy25]

That really isnt a looker is it?

[sidesauce]

As a former R230 owner, I look forward to making this my next car - unlike everyone else here I really think this is what they should have released the first time around. Love it love it love it.

[DickP]

How heavy are these things these days???

[SFO]

DickP said:

How heavy are these things these days???

around 100kg lighter than R230 SL

[RDMcG]

I have never liked any SL since the R230, and the present one is the worst of the lot...terrible shuttling continuity, looks like it is morbidly obese.

Personally, I loved the original 300SL, the Pagoda, and the original R230 with the double headlights. I was OK with the 107, but the 129 did nothing for me.

[anonymous-user]

breadvan said:

It needs nearly 600 bhp to get a 4.1 0-60 time???

0-60 is never going to be the party trick of a car trying to put upwards of 600ft-lbs @ ~2000RPM through two street tyres, usually with an open diff.

[breadvan]

E65Ross said:

breadvan said:

It needs nearly 600 bhp to get a 4.1 0-60 time???

Sounds about right for a big GT car. Why would you expect any different? Look at other cars of similar ilk, such as the Bentley continental GT, Aston Martin Vanquish volante.... Not a great deal of difference.

Could you explain your apparent surprise?

Fair enough, i stand corrected.

I'm not that familiar with this sector but I thought a lot was made of the light weight construction of this SL and I expected more from the power.

I've checked its piers and your right, it's on par.

I bet it sounds amazing.

[DickP]

SFO said:

around 100kg lighter than R230 SL

So still quite heavy then.

[mikEsprit]

The price to performance ratio difference between the SL500 and the SL63 is decadent.

But, as a car guy, I can appreciate decadence and I would think the owner of the 63 is just wealthy.

However, unless there is something else you get in the interior, etc., I would only think that the owner of an SL65 is stupid for not getting a 63. Twenty years from now, assuming the 65 gets a premium from collectors, I'm still going to think it's stupid, too.

[E65Ross]

mikEsprit said:

The price to performance ratio difference between the SL500 and the SL63 is decadent.

But, as a car guy, I can appreciate decadence and I would think the owner of the 63 is just wealthy.

However, unless there is something else you get in the interior, etc., I would only think that the owner of an SL65 is stupid for not getting a 63. Twenty years from now, assuming the 65 gets a premium from collectors, I'm still going to think it's stupid, too.

V12 models traditionally always have leather covered dash as standard, the seats are different..... Plus, V12s offer a considerably different driving experience. Butter smooth!