New Mercedes-AMG SL gets fabric top, all-wheel drive

Mercedes-AMG has unveiled its new SL roadster.

The car is returning as a 2+2, and is now equipped with all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering. A folding fabric roof meanwhile, is making a return with this generation of the Mercedes-AMG SL.

The new car retains the characteristic features of the SL family, with its long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a long bonnet. The passenger compartment remains set back in the body, behind a strongly raked windscreen, while strong, sculpted wheel arches large alloy wheels that sit flush with the outer body give the roadster a powerful, dynamic appearance.

An AMG-specific grille sits at the front, emphasising the car's width, while its 14 vertical slats are said to pay homage to the 300SL racing car of 1952. Other distinctive design elements include the slim, sharply outlined Digital Light LED headlamps and the equally slim LED rear lamps.

The new Mercedes-AMG SL is based on a completely new architecture developed by Mercedes-AMG, which the firm is keen to point out, does not share a single component form the preceding SL, or any other model in its current lineup.

The new structure is made from a lightweight composite aluminium and is said to guarantee high driving dynamics and ride comfort. Torsional rigidity of the platform has been increased by 18% compared to the previous SL, while the transverse rigidity of this chassis is 50% higher than the AMG GT Roadster. The new chassis' lightweight construction ensures that it comes in at only 270kg.

Speaking of keeping weight in check, there's also a new fabric top for this SL. The return of the rag top is said to contribute to a 21kg weight reduction, while lowering the centre of gravity of the car. Opening and closing of the roof will take only about 15 seconds and is possible up to a speed of 60km/h.

The cockpit has a driver-focused design, and features an adjustable 11.9-inch central display in the centre console. 2+2 seating will offers more room and functionality than previous iterations of the SL, however, Mercedes-AMG does state that the rear seats will offer space for people up to 1.5m tall.

A high-resolution 12.3-inch LCD screen which serves as the instrument cluster has been integrated into a high-tech visor which will prevent reflections caused by sunlight.

Electrically adjustable AMG sports seats come as standard, as does Mercedes' Airscarf system, which channels warm air out from outlets in the head restraints to wrap around the head and neck area of the driver and front passenger like a scarf.

Two model variants are being offered at launch. The first, the SL63 4Matic+, will offer up 577bhp and 800Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 3.6 seconds. The SL55 4Matic+ meanwhile, sports an output of 469bhp and a peak torque of 700Nm. The sprint from standstill to 100km/h for this model takes 3.9 seconds.

Both models make use of a nine-speed gearbox that will send power to all four wheels. Active rear-axle steering will also come as standard for the first time on the SL.