Residing at the top of the Mercedes-Benz lineup is the SL, a roadster showcasing Mercedes-Benz’s best engineering. The sportiest SL JEZ has tested to date, the new 2009 SL63 AMG takes an already amazing vehicle to new heights.
Classic, yet sinister, the SL63’s exterior design looks fast, even while standing still. A long hood and short rear deck epitomize classic roadster proportions, yet the large air intakes, aggressive front apron and bi-xenon headlights with black surrounds give the SL63 its devilish looks. The SL63’s retractable hardtop is also distinctive. Other telltale signs that this is an AMG include the rear apron with large black diffuser, twin chrome tailpipes and a rear lip spoiler.
On the road, the SL63 shows its true colors, accelerating from zero to 60 mph in a mere 4.5 seconds. The SL63’s power comes courtesy of a new 6.3-liter V8 engine that was designed exclusively for AMG models. This explains how Mercedes engineers could install a high-flow intake and exhaust port for the naturally aspirated V8, a decision that allows the engine to top out at more than 7,000 rpm while still producing nearly 90 percent of its peak torque above 2,000 rpm.
A powerful engine is only half the story, however. The SL63 sports AMG’s new seven-speed MCT transmission, which, unlike conventional transmissions with torque converters, uses a start-up clutch that runs in an oil bath. The oil reduces the rotational mass of the start-up clutch to provide near instantaneous starts. Plus, the MCT feels more like a traditional automatic transmission, especially in stop-and-go traffic, where it is very smooth. The MCT transmission offers drivers the ability to choose between four different drive modes: comfort, sport, sport plus and manual. In sport plus mode, shifts occur around 40-percent faster than in comfort mode, while in the manual mode, gearshifts take just 100 milliseconds. Also making the drive a little smoother, the transmission provides rev-match upon downshifting, thus minimizing any jerking, especially important when braking into a curve.
On back roads, the SL63 AMG feels remarkably agile considering its weight. An active suspension system significantly reduces body roll by automatically stiffening the shocks, tweaking the spring rates and adjusting the roll stiffness to maintain a controlled driving experience. In comparison to the normal SL, body roll is reduced by some 65 percent to make the AMG an exceptionally well-mannered convertible–even when the road turns twisty.
Inside the SL63 AMG, average-height drivers will find plenty of room to kick back on long drives, while their taller counterparts may feel cramped because the seat only moves back so far before hitting the rear luggage shelf. The SL’s optional AIRSCARF delivers warm air to your neck through vents in the headrest, while your backside will stay toasty thanks to heated seats with built-in fans that evenly distribute the warm air. Interior fit and finish are also tops in the SL, providing a most luxurious ride.
It’s all in the numbers*
Base Price: $135,000
Vehicle Invoice: $125,550
Fully Loaded: $156,345
Cost to Lease Per Month: $2,900
City/Highway EPA: 12/19 mpg
Maximum Seating: 2
Basic Warranty: 4 yr./50,000 mi.
Roadside: Unlimited yr. & mi.
Engine Type: V8
Cylinders/Displacement: 6.3 liters
Valvetrain: 32 valves (DOHC)
Horsepower: 518 hp @ 6,800 rpm
Torque: 465 lb.-ft. @ 5,200 rpm
Zero-60 mph: 4.5 seconds
Transmission: 7-speed shiftable auto
Driver Seat Power: 12-way adjustable
Premium Sound Brand: Harman Kardon
Satellite Radio: Sirius
Navigation System: Hard drive-based
*Based on a well-equipped vehicle, 36-month, close-end lease with first payment, tag, title, security deposit and 10,000 miles per year. Numbers are estimates.