The 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL will be available with a V8 engine at launch
The 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL has been unveiled. Developed by the performance division of the German firm in Affalterbach, the 2+2 seater roadster features a soft top this time around.
Externally, the new SL looks the business. The luxury convertible sports car adopts the latest Mercedes-Benz design language, but also features sporty AMG bits.
Up front, the car has a wide radiator grille and lower air intake, large side intakes, sleek LED headlights and a long bonnet with 2 power bulges.
Along the sides, the car’s short overhangs, long wheelbase and raked windscreen can be seen, while at the rear, the new Mercedes-AMG SL looks very sharp thanks to the tail lights and quad exhaust outlets.
With large wheels (ranging between 19- and 21-inches) completing the exterior design, stepping inside would reveal a cabin that is less fussy, like the exterior.
Mercedes says it has used high-quality materials inside, while the car also has the latest AMG steering wheel, a digital instrument cluster, a large, adjustable central display for the MBUX infotainment system and various connectivity systems including Mercedes me connect.
According to the German Marque, the rear seats can accommodate people up to 1.50 metres tall and the front AMG sports seats that are electrically adjustable have the ‘Airscarf’ as standard.
In all, customers will have the option of choosing from 3 exterior design packages that are available for the 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL. Further, there are 12 paint options and 3 colour choices on offer for the soft top that can be opened and closed in 15 seconds up to speeds of 60 km/hr.
Based on a new 2+2 seater vehicle architecture, the 2022 SL has an aluminium space frame and the windscreen frame also adds to the rollover protection that is primarily offered by the roll bar system placed behind the rear seats.
The convertible sports car also has a Cd value of 0.31 due to meticulous work done on the aero and drag balance, aided in part by Mercedes’ ‘AIRPANEL’ active air control system and the retractable rear spoiler.
Another aerodynamic element, hidden in the underbody in front of the engine that automatically extends downwards by 40 mm at 80 km/hr, can also be specified for improved stability.
At market launch, the 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL will be available only with the 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine in 2 output levels – 577 BHP and 800 Nm in SL 63 variant and 469 BHP and 700 Nm in SL 55 grade.
All-wheel drive will be offered as standard with both models, which is a good thing, as even the SL 55 has a top speed of 295 km/hr (315 km/hr for SL 63) and does the 0-100 km/hr sprint in 3.9 seconds (3.6 for SL 63).
A hybrid power unit will also be plonked in the engine bay of the new SL at a later date. For now, the transmission option will be the AMG Speedshift MCT 9G unit. Also, the car is equipped with rear-axle steering as standard.
In terms of suspension, the new SL 55 has a multi-link front unit and a 5-link system in the back. The SL 63 gets the AMG Active Ride Control suspension with active, hydraulic anti-roll stabilisation.
As for the brakes, Mercedes has decided to fit the car with composite brake discs for their lightness and their ability to better dispose of heat.
What’s more, there will be as many as 6 driving modes – Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual and Race – on offer with the car that will also feature numerous advanced driver-assistance systems.
