Mercedes-Benz SL

Mercedes AMG SL 55 exterior

The long bonnet, rear-set cabin and slim tail-lights are classic SL with styling unmistakably new-age Mercedes. What’s nice is that it doesn’t look bulky like many other convertibles do. Also returning is a fabric roof in place of the last-gen model’s folding hard top.

Mercedes AMG SL 55 interior and features

The SL’s high-grade interior makes generous use of leather and tasteful metalwork, like the gorgeous turbine-look vents and centre console. It gets a digital instrument screen and an adjustable, 11.9-inch touchscreen, which is fiddly to use. The standard AMG Performance seats are unusually firm (optional AMG Sport seats appear cushier), and while there are now rear seats, there is virtually no room here.

Mercedes AMG SL 55 performance

AMG’s familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 makes 476hp and 700Nm here, and while it’s not its angriest iteration, performance is not lacking. A gentle prod of the accelerator grants all the go you need. Its rumble sounds soulful, and it has the right amount of roar. If anything, it’s the 9-speed gearbox that seems to play catch up with the engine.

Mercedes AMG SL 55 handling

The SL is not the sharpest sportscar you can buy, but the quick and well-weighted steering keeps you connected to what the tyres are doing. You can carry big speeds with confidence in the SL and with adaptive dampers, it doesn’t feel floaty. The SL 55 can work as an everyday car in a pinch, as most of the firmness is actually from the seats than from the road and tyres.

Mercedes AMG SL 55 price and verdict

Rs 2.35 crore (ex-showroom) is a lot of money for a car that you can enjoy to the fullest on just a few days of the year, but you can be sure those days and nights with the top down will be etched in your memory. Flamboyant, fast and fun, the SL would be a fine addition to a multi-crore car collection.