With the most recent era of the SL, Mercedes determined to take the automobile in a course it hadn’t gone in fairly some time by bringing it again to its sporting roots. And if the primary critiques of the automobile are something to go by, it looks like that call advantages the SL loads.

Over time, the Mercedes SL has developed considerably of a status as extra of an older individual’s automobile, one that appears sporty sufficient however is usually designed to be a robust but snug top-down cruiser to take to the nation membership.

And whereas there’s nothing essentially unsuitable with that, with the most recent SL Mercedes has tried to shake that status and try to return to the SL of previous, one which was a sports activities automobile via and thru, and it looks like they’ve managed to hit the nail on the top.

See Additionally: 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL Breaks Cowl With 2+2 Seats, Material Prime, AWD And Up To 577 HP

The primary signal of that’s that the brand new SL is AMG solely. The bottom mannequin is now the SL 55, which churns out a hefty 470 hp (477 PS / 350 kW) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque from a well-known 4.0-liter biturbo V8. The range-topping SL 63 makes 577 hp (585 PS / 430 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque from that very same engine, and each fashions ship their energy via a nine-speed automated transmission to all 4 wheels for the primary time ever.

Learn Extra: The Mercedes SL Nonetheless Exists As a result of Of Model Heritage And Loyal Clients

Moreover, for the primary time in 20 years, the SL is a gentle prime once more. This exhibits that Mercedes is now putting extra of a concentrate on driving dynamics, as when in comparison with a folding arduous prime, a cloth roof is lighter and thus lowers the middle of gravity and the general curb weight considerably, which in flip improves dealing with. But it surely’s not simply the highest that improves the way it drives, it’s additionally issues like the brand new five-link suspension, rear-wheel steering, and on the SL 63, air shocks with energetic roll management.

Additionally: New Mercedes-AMG SL To Be Joined By Subsequent-Gen AMG GT Coupe

Associated: A Temporary Look Again At The Historical past Of The Mercedes-Benz SL

On the styling entrance, the SL has adopted an aggressive but fashionable design to actually promote the sports activities automobile look, with its muscular, low-slung form, bulging rear fenders, and gaping Panamericana grille, which truly has the identical variety of vertical vanes as the unique 300 SL race automobile as a nod to its sporting heritage. Inside, the cabin options a way more modern design with a big central display screen to carry it into the fashionable age. And whereas some could argue that it’s a bit too trendy, there’s no denying that the previous SL’s inside was outdated and in dire want of a serious overhaul.

The final consensus of all of the critiques appears to be that the brand new SL has achieved Mercedes’ aim of changing into a correct sports activities automobile once more whereas nonetheless retaining all the posh of the previous one. Basically, this automobile’s function is to function the convertible counterpart to the now coupe-only AMG GT, and it does so on each entrance.