2023 Mercedes-AMG SL 63 - Brutal Beauty

SL63 AMG or LC500?

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The SL, the embodiment of Mercedes heritage. In more recent years, though, it’s lacked a little luster. HOWEVER, all that has changed with this new generation. So thanks to Mercedes-Benz of Milwaukee for letting me have a go in the new SL63

And here’s the recipe for the new one

Neck snapping looks
A mind-blowingly powerful engine
And one of the best car sounds made today

But if you need a little more details this is what’s going on. Under the long hood you have the 4 liter bi-turbo V8 making 577 hp and 590 lbft. All that power goes through the snappy AMG 9 speed I love so much and makes its way to all 4 wheels as standard

In this range-topping 63 tune 0-60 is good for 3.5 seconds

And yes, that’s quick, but if I’m honest it could be 6 seconds as long as it continues to make this sound

And as long as the shifts still do this

This SL actually ONLY comes as a V8 AMG so drama and performance comes as standard. But that also means the 55 trim starts at $140k and this full 63 tune starts at $160k

But here’s the thing - even though it only comes as an AMG, to me this feels more like a GT car than a full-pedigree sports cabriolet

Yes, it’s quick, yes the transmission is sharp, yes the chassis and damping keeps it composed, yes it has 4 wheel steering, and yet, it’s just not got the personality that the GT family brought

But, it’s 5 inches longer than last generation and that means more weight too

HOWEVER

Don’t for one second think that means it’s any less a good car

My favorite car on sale today is a GT car, and after driving this, I may just have to reconsider that top spot.

This SL is still a GT, but it’s more sportscar than it has been for a long time. Incredible engine, phenomenal gearbox, AWD traction, and a thunderous exhaust. And yet it still manages to do the Benz side of the equation too

Dialed back the suspension softens back

The steering lights up

And the engine relaxes

And even with the roof off you have a shockingly civilized ride

I’m VERY impressed with this new SL so far but let’s step outside so we can appreciate the looks of this thing

So clearly I’m a fan of it behind the wheel but this is also one of those cars that you buy and then every SINGLE time you walk away after you park you look back at it…like 4 times

I mean LOOK at it!

It still subscribes to the classic SL recipe
LOOOONG hood with a roof that comes off
However, this guy now comes as a 2+2 so it more directly competes against things like 911s
But around the body you can see evidence that it’s thoroughly modern Mercedes
Panamericana grille
New lower fascia we see in the new C63 as well
Power dome hood
Front fender faux vent
20 inch wheels wrapped in XXX
And just like all Audi convertibles get silver a-pillars, each SL gets a black windshield surround
Retractable door handles
Then the rear quarter smoothly curves into the rear fascia
The taillights are an identical shape to the headlights but flipped upside down
You get a retractable spoiler
And of course, the classic rectangle shaped quad AMG tips

But most notably, the soft top is back..which more fits the look and also keeps weight down. What a stunner, but it’s as good inside as it is outside - let me show you what I mean

So while the behind the wheel experience can be very AMG, the interior is pinnacle Mercedes. Gorgeous design, excellent materials, and even with the rag top, the cabin isolation is impeccable

The toperation controls, along with pretty much everything else, is controlled in the screen
The screen itself though is brilliant
It’s the new MBUX system which is lovely
It’s totally customizable
It shows you cool stuff like telemetry
AND it has this handy feature where you can adjust the angle of the screen
Yanno..like to keep the glare off when you have the top down
THEY THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING!
Of course you get your normal stuff like ACP, digital cluster, HUD
Your 360 cameras are excellent
Your safety suite is comprehensive
And you get great luxuries like heated and cooled seats, massage
Heated steering wheel
AND the awesome air scarf for those cool fall days
But one of the favorite things is the AMG steering wheel
Customizable buttons for drive modes and individual features
MBUX control, media control, and autopilot control
And yes, while it’s now more a 911 competitor with a 2+2 cabin, it’s also more 911 in the sense that the rear seat is pretty unusual

This interior takes all the AMG performance and swaddles it in luxury that only Benz can