Mercedes-AMG SL55 4MATIC+ Review: Sexy & Spirited

Seven generations of successful and sexy cars – that are sought after, sensational, and state of the art. The Mercedes SL-Class now opens a new chapter with the latest SL. And while there are three variants globally, we are getting the SL 55 4MATIC+.

Design

When it's an SL, being sexy just goes with the territory. The looks on the SL are gorgeous, well-proportioned, and desirable. It's a brand-shaping car, for sure. With this generation, it's also an AMG-only model, so it really has to look the part. And you can see that right away. Really aggressive face, in line with what's happening with Mercedes styling; sexy-looking wheels, and the fabric folding roof replaces the metal one from the previous cars.

The part that really gets me is the rear end. It's nice and compact since the engineering team has been able to design a compact folded roof compartment. And so they've achieved a really nice shape and form at the back that is proportionate with the rest of the car. The LED treatment on the taillights is also sharp.

I had the car for a few days right as the monsoon finally hit the western ghats. And as the thunder cracked overhead, I had my own noisemaker on the ground, matching it roar for roar. The SL 55 is all about the experience, and not simply brutal power. Think of rivals like the Porsche 911 Carrera cabrio or the BMW 8 Series convertible, and this one packs in more style if not outright performance. In other markets you get the Performance or Touring edition of the SL. Here it's that one fully loaded variant – more on the touring side.

Performance

The 4MATIC+ system is a highlight that contributes to make the SL a pleasure to drive. It has variable torque distribution for optimal traction. The SL also now has rear-wheel-steering making the car even more manoeuvrable. Handling on this therefore is a dream. The roof can be operated at speeds up to 60 kmph. But the function would have been better served with a physical button. Going at it in the touchscreen is fiddly, and diverts your attention when on the road. But the roof itself is a significant part of the new generation. It's contributed, amongst other things, to the massive weight reduction.

The sixth generation was already a lot lighter than the fifth, because it switched to an aluminium architecture. Now you've got aluminium composites, you've got magnesium, you've got carbon fibre and steel. That just brings the overall weight of the car down significantly. And now you also have the fabric roof that brings the roof’s weight down. And the folded roof now doesn't add as much weight at the back. So that doesn't change your overall drive dynamics like it used to with the Vario roof in the last car.

Mercedes-AMG SL 55 4MATIC+

And I was always going to compare it to the SL 63 which I drove last November in the US. Coming in to this I just assumed the 55 will seem lesser than the 63. But I was pleasantly surprised. After all, you have the same V8 motor that goes into the SL 63. On paper it may be a whole 100 bhp lower in terms of power output, and 100 Nm lower in terms of the torque. But in terms of performance, you don't find it lacking.

It's really sharp and the new suspension, the new steering, and that delightful V8 do the job well. The SL 63 is faster, noisier – no doubt. But only if you do a detailed comparison. The 55 is in no way lacking at all. Top speed is limited to 296 kmph and it can accelerate from 0-100 in just 3.9 seconds!

Ride and Handling

And that again makes a huge difference to the handling. Ride quality is also stiff though will not seem hard. On bad ruts or broken roads though, you do need to slow down given the tyres and ride height. The SL will take corners more sharply than before, and also maintains its line better now at higher speeds. I mentioned there's a new suspension and it's a five link upfront which is unusual even for a car in this segment.

It's good that Mercedes has sprung for this one because it just makes the overall performance overall feel a lot tauter. Optional AMG Ride Control gives you a good balance, using variable damping. And unlike most cars which have it – and compromise the ride by making it stiffer, the SL has a nice balance between comfort and great handling. The AMG ride control also lets you raise the car by 30mm at the front axle. This helps with bad speeds bumps etc. And there is a lot more you can add on. Like the AMG Dynamic Plus package which gives you an electronic rear axle locking differential, dynamic engine mounts, the yellow brake callipers, lowering of the suspension by 10mm, and the Race drive mode.

There is an automatically deployable rear wing but you can also activate that using the cool round LCD screen controllers on the steering wheel (that we first saw on the GT). This also lets you change suspension settings, turn off traction control, switch the gearbox to manual mode, and the other dial lets you change the various drive modes – individual, comfort, sport, sport plus, and that optional race mode. The car comes with a whole host of ADAS that's standard – like auto emergency braking, Lane Keep Assist, etc.

Cabin and Tech

I really loved the graphics on the MBUX interface. The instrument cluster and its graphic animations are truly fantastic. And you have some goodies like the track pace function for when getting onto a track to actually time yourself AMG Performance, which gives you just what's happening with the vehicle in terms of your overall dynamics, the central gravity, the suspension, the engine itself, the real-time engine output you're getting, etc. While the AMG Night Package is standard, there are more exterior styling packages you can opt for that enhance the sexy and sporty side of the car’s design. You can also add a head-up display and the very fancy 17-speaker Burmester sound system.

The interior is crafted beautifully and that should come as no surprise to you. I mean, this is an AMG for crying out loud! You get the latest Burmester sound system as optional, the latest MBUX interface and that touchscreen tilts forward or backwards depending on the glare you're getting once the roof is down. Hyper Blue, Selenite Grey, and Obsidian Black are standard options, you do have to pay extra for the non-standard colours – anywhere from Rs. 1.91 – Rs. 9.37 lakh. The same goes for the interior options where three are standard trims and 2 are optional.

The MBUX has a massive 11.9-inch portrait orientation touchscreen which gives you a host of options you know. But that screen almost takes away from the SL – for it's more about the performance and those racy roadster looks. So that’s quite a car, isn’t it? It is a huge step up over the last gen, and while its starts at Rs. 2.35 crore, you can see how adding all the options will take it closer to Rs. 2.75 crore! But then this is not for everyone. And yet for those who can buy one, it is now a compelling choice over its rivals and a gorgeous one to boot.

Photography By: Anand Malepu