Wednesday 22nd February 2012

New Mercedes SL63 AMG - official details

All the stuff we couldn't tell you about, or show you, yesterday

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Having teased us with a semi-launch yesterday, Mercedes has finally lifted the lid on the full technical details and images of its new SL63 AMG. And, yes, this means we can show you more than just a cam cover!

It's been more than a decade since AMG launched the game-changing supercharged SL55 AMG, bringing near-500hp power to a Mercedes roadster for the first time, and thrusting the Mercedes tuning arm into the public consciousness like never before. Now forced induction is back in an AMG SL.

SL63 badge remains, 6.2 V8 replaced

And while power is now well north of 500hp the focus for the R231-gen AMG SL is as much about weight, Mercedes paying particular attention to trimming lard where it can. The result is a car that, at 1,845kg, is 125kg lighter than its predecessor thanks to an aluminium body that draws influence from the SLS. This means that despite being faster and more powerful than what went before, the new SL63 is up to 30 per cent more fuel efficient, equating to 28.5mpg on the combined cycle.

Under the bonnet is the now near-ubiquitous M157 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8, AMG increasing power a tad over the CLS, CL, ML and E63 in which it also features to make the SL the most powerful V8 AMG this side of the SLS. It now develops 537hp at 5,500rpm and 590lb ft at 2,000-4,500rpm. Should you specify the AMG Performance Package that jumps to a thoroughly healthy 564hp and 664lb ft of torque. With the Performance Package option ticked the SL will accelerate to 62mph in 4.2 seconds (a tenth quicker than standard) and see the standard 155mph limiter raised to 186mph instead.

Beauty pageants best avoided

The all-aluminium suspension is controlled by Mercedes' ABC Active Body Control system, allowing you to switch between comfort-oriented and sporty settings. There's also three-stage ESP (timid, brave and show-off, we guess) and a new electric power steering system the assistance from which varies depending on your suspension setting choices.

If you're feeling particularly sporty, you can also specify the optional AMG suspension pack and a locking rear diff.

Transmitting the power to the rear wheels is Merc's Speedshift MCT seven-speed auto. This features four 'driving modes' familiar from all recent AMGs: C (for Controlled Efficiency), S (for Sport), S+ (you can probably work that one out) and M (Manual). This gearbox also includes an automatic double de-clutching function, auto stop-start and, in the racier settings, partial cylinder deactivation to help speed up gearchanges.

View is better from in here

On top of all this, and the usual SL luxuries, features and options, the SL63 gets a moderately aggressive restyle. But we won't go into detail on that here, because you have eyes and can just take a butcher's at the pictures.

Prices have yet to be announced, but the SL63 AMG goes on sale in the UK this June.

 

 

 

 

 

[dxbtiger]

Really don't like the rear lights, other than that a thumbs up.

Coming soon to a shopping mall near me!

[kambites]

Sad the old one really two tonnes?

[Carfolio]

The SL 73 AMG got there first, with 517 bhp in a roadster in 1999.

[goron59]

All that power and torque, yet so slow. Probably sounds nice though.

[StottyZr]

Good to see lots of half empty cups

[kambites]

goron59 said:

All that power and torque, yet so slow. Probably sounds nice though.

Slow in what way? All we've got is the 0-60 time and not many front engined RWD cars are faster at that.

[dapearson]

"It now develops 537hp at 5,500rpm and 590lb ft at 2,000-4,500rpm"

AND 28.5 mpg combined!!

I'm really loving BMW's and Merc's efforts to provide massive power and genuinely usable MPG figures.

[Don1]

.... and the crowd goes mild.

Not exactly a design for a poster on a childs wall, is it? And not timelessly good looking either. Meh.

[McSam]

Don1 said:

.... and the crowd goes mild.

Not exactly a design for a poster on a childs wall, is it? And not timelessly good looking either. Meh.

I thought that. Damn thing looks Korean to me, actually.

I kinda hope it has more presence on the road than in those photos. Here it looks like it's trying to be wantonly cutting-edge and futuristic, and, well.. it doesn't gel. An R230, especially an AMG one, is a monumentally head-turning car. I'm all for change, but I think I'd be turning my head away from this one.

[Oakman]

"Mercedes just got more Brutal & more UGLY"

What's new then ?

[Baryonyx]

[MagicMonkey]

This has probably been mentioned in previous threads but would I be right in assuming that the 65 engine won't be making an appearance here?

[Dr Banjo]

Its shocking what they have done to the front end looks of the SL and the SLK.

They used to be pleasing to look at

[Dr Interceptor]

I think it looks fantastic...

[Twoshoe]

Dr Interceptor said:

I think it looks fantastic...

I don't.

However, fuel consumption figure genuinely impressive though (if you can get near that in real life of course).

[Rat_Fink_67]

I love how everyone on this site is a design and engineering guru; "too heavy, too slow, too ugly blah blah blah". Chances are if they relaunched one of the old ones that everyone looks back at so misty eyed about, that'd get slagged off too. It's a 2 door roadster with over 500bhp AND does nearly 30mpg, and despite the "slow" claims probably has enough midrange grunt to rearrange your innards (accompanied by a nice V8 bellow)and people are complaining??? I'd love to see or drive some of the cars you lot would come up with.

[Oddball RS]

dapearson said:

"It now develops 537hp at 5,500rpm and 590lb ft at 2,000-4,500rpm"

AND 28.5 mpg combined!!

I'm really loving BMW's and Merc's efforts to provide massive power and genuinely usable MPG figures.

Erm, sorry to break it to you, but its like the CO arms race - its all lies.....

And why do Mercedes need this and the SLS?

[Glebe1]

Thankfully there's still the XK for those who like their sportscars with a bit of beauty!

[Itsallicanafford]

...The SL in my mind is fine if your a 60+ male who lives in a gated community in florida and drives around in it to the golf course with his wife wearing one of those funny golf visors thing...but as a 37 year old male in the Uk, i think i would feel like an idiot driving one of these, especailly with the top down...IMO of course...

[George H]

goron59 said:

All that power and torque, yet so slow. Probably sounds nice though.

Since when has 0-60 in 4.3 seconds been slow? You will see off 99.9% of cars on the road with that kind of performance.