Mercedes AMG has launched the new SL 55 in India with prices starting from Rs 2.35 crore (ex-showroom, India). The roadster features a 2+2 seating layout and a fabric roof, and is being brought in as a CBU. However, all units of the SL alloted for India this year are already sold out and for bookings made henceforth, deliveries can only be expected in the next financial year.
Now in its seventh generation, the SL technically replaces the S-Class cabriolet, the AMG GT Roadster and the sixth-gen SL in the German brand’s global line-up. Interestingly, the SL also brings back the '55' name to a Mercedes-AMG model – the G55 SUV was the last one until production ceased in 2012.
- The new SL roadster is powered by 476hp, 4.0 twin-turbo V8
- Gets 8 exterior colour options and 3 roof colours
- Features an 11.9-inch touchscreen, Burmester sound system and more
Mercedes-AMG SL 55 powertrain
Powering the AMG SL 55 is a 4.0-litre twin-turbo, V8 petrol engine good for 476hp and 700Nm that’s mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox, which sends power to all four wheels via Merc’s 4Matic+ system. The SL 55 is claimed to do 0-100kph in 3.9sec and has a top speed of 295kph. The SL also gets rear axle steering as standard.
Mercedes AMG SL 55 dimensions, exterior
The SL 55 roadster is 4,705mm long, 1,915mm wide and has a height of 1,359mm – which marks an increase of 88mm, 38mm and 44mm, respectively. The wheelbase too has been extended by 117mm to 2,700mm to accommodate the new rear seats.
Prominent design details of the new SL include the large Panamericana front grille, angular LED headlight, a long bonnet with two power domes, a heavily raked windscreen, quad exhausts and 20-inch alloys as standard. Buyers can also opt for larger 21-inch alloys with a different design.
For the first time since the fourth-generation SL, the new SL features a triple-layer fabric roof. Claimed to weigh 21kg less than the metal roof used by the previous gen, it is operated by a switch on the centre console or via the infotainment display. It can be deployed at speeds of up to 60kph and takes 16 seconds to open or close. There are also three colour options for the fabric roof – Black, Dark red and Grey.
Mercedes is offering the SL 55 in eight paint shades: Obsidian black, Selenite grey, Hyper blue, Alpine grey, Opalite white bright, Spectral blue magno, Patagonia red bright and Monza grey magno.
Mercedes AMG SL 55 interior and features
Inside, the SL follows Mercedes’ recent models like the S-Class and C-Class, and adopts an 11.9-inch vertically oriented touchscreen, which can be adjusted to sit at angles between 12deg and 32deg. It runs the latest generation of Mercedes' MBUX operating system and offers a range of display choices – including bespoke AMG and soft-top display modes. The touchscreen is paired with a 12.3-inch LCD driver display and an optional heads-up display behind the AMG twin-spoke steering wheel.
Buyers have five interior upholstery options to choose from – Black Nappa leather and microfibre with red stitching, Black Nappa leather, Sienna brown Nappa leather, Truffle brown Nappa leather and Black Nappa leather and microfibre with yellow stitching. There are also two interior trim options, aluminium and carbon fibre, and two seat options, AMG sports seats and AMG performance seats.
Other features include a Burmester sound system, an Airscarf function that directs warm air towards the head and neck of front occupants to combat buffeting when the roof's down and the optional AMG Track Pace programme that records over 80 sets of data for up to 10 times per second while on the track.
Mercedes AMG SL 55 rivals
In India, the Mercedes AMG SL 55 will rival the likes of the Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet (Rs 2.18 crore) and Lexus LC 500h (Rs 2.39 crore).
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