The Star is reborn in India: Mercedes-Benz launches the iconic and timeless SL
by Prashant Kapadia/NHN
The first SL to be fully developed by AMG; SL 55 4MATIC+ roadster is sportier, luxurious and highly expressive
‘The SL is an iconic and timeless masterpiece, manifesting automotive desire and fascination associated with Mercedes-Benz for the last seven decades. From racetrack to high-end lifestyle, the SL resonates the customers’ aspiration of every generation across the globe, and we are thrilled to launch the AMG SL Roadster in India. For the first time in history, the SL is developed entirely by Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach, offering a roadster that blends performance luxury and extravagant design in a perfect harmony. The launch of the AMG SL 55 firmly reiterates the increasing customer affinity for desirable luxury cars from Mercedes-Benz and underlines the success of our Top End Vehicle strategy.’
Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India
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The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 55 4MATIC+ features a Petrol V8 engine with twin turbochargers; produces 700 Nm torque and generates 350 kW with a top speed of 295 km/h
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The luxurious roadster features the return of the classic soft top
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The AMG SL 55 4MATIC+ pricing starts from INR 2.35 Cr. onwards (All India ex-showroom)
Mumbai: India’s largest luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz India today launched the iconic and timeless automotive icon, the SL, in its most advanced AMG SL 55 4MATIC+ roadster version. In a first in its history, the SL Roadster now in its 7th Generation, has been developed entirely by Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach, elevating SL’s rich tradition as one of the most aspired modern lifestyle vehicles, from Mercedes-AMG portfolio. The SL has seven decades of driving legacy and to this day stands for one of the few genuine automotive icons in the world.
In the decades-long development history from full-blooded racing car to open-top luxury sports car, the new Mercedes-AMG SL now sets another milestone. It combines the sportiness of the original SL with the unique luxury and technological excellence that characterize modern Mercedes-Benz models.
With its exciting design, state-of-the-art technology, and outstanding driving characteristics, the new Mercedes-AMG SL 55 4MATIC+ sets a new benchmark in the luxury sports car segment. The new SL combines agile driving dynamics with a high level of comfort and unrestricted suitability for everyday use.
Top highlights of the AMG SL 55 4MATIC+:
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Exterior design: balanced design with sporty genes
The exterior design fascinates with a perfect triad: It combines the modern Mercedes-Benz design philosophy of sensual purity with the sportiness typical of AMG and characteristic details. The characteristic long bonnet, steeply raked windshield, charismatic rear end, and large alloy wheels give the roadster its powerful and dynamic appearance. When closed, the seamlessly integrated soft top underscores the purist, sporty impression. A key development focus of the new SL is high aerodynamic efficiency, specifically: a perfect balance between low drag and reduced lift. The luxurious roadster benefits from Mercedes-AMG’s wide-ranging motorsport expertise and extensive active aerodynamic elements at the front and rear.
The SL’s aerodynamics meet the complex requirements of handling stability, drag, cooling, and wind noise. Regardless of whether the top is down or up, the vehicle character and driving characteristics remain unchanged. The even aerobalance helps to defuse critical driving situations, such as a sudden evasive manoeuvre at high speed.
Further, the AMG-specific radiator grille emphasizes the effect of width of the front and, with its 14 vertical slats, cites the ancestor of all SL models, the legendary 300 SL racing sports car of 1952. Other distinctive design elements include the slim, sharply outlined DIGITAL LIGHT LED headlamps and the equally extremely slim LED rear lamps.
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Body Construction ‘Super Light’
The bodyshell of the Mercedes-AMG SL benefits from an AMG sports car platform and lives up to its name: the intelligent material mix of steel, magnesium, fibre composites and aluminium sets lightweight construction standards. At the same time, it guarantees for maximum rigidity and top performance – just typical of SL.
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Interior design: Performance Luxury with “hyperanalogue” cockpit
The interior of the new Mercedes-AMG SL transforms the tradition of the first 300 SL Roadster into the modern era. It features an exciting combination of analogue geometry and digital world – called “hyperanalogue”. This is exemplified by the fully digital instrument cluster, which is integrated into a three-dimensional visor.
One of many highlights in the interior of the new SL is the sculptural seat design of the standard. The head restraints are integrated into the backrest and emphasize the sporty character. Perfect ergonomics and various progressive seam and quilting patterns complete the symbiosis of high-tech, performance, and luxury. AMG Performance seats are available as standard.
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“One Man, One Engine” principle: creating the best engines in the world
The engine is assembled purely by hand at the company’s site in Affalterbach according to the “One Man, One Engine” principle. In the SL 55 4MATIC+, the V8 unit develops an output of 350 kW (476 hp) and a peak torque of 700 Nm. The sprint from standstill to 100 km/h takes 3.9 seconds, the top speed is 295 km/h.
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More traction and handling stability: fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive
The SL 55 is available with a drive system acting on all four wheels and comes equipped with AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive technology as standard. This intelligent system combines the advantages of different drive concepts: the fully variable torque distribution to the front and rear axles ensures optimal traction right up to the physical limit. The driver is also able to rely on high handling stability and a high level of safety under all conditions.
Technical details of the SL 55 4MATIC+ Roadster |
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Engine |
4.0 litre V8 biturbo |
Displacement |
3982 cc |
Output |
350 kW |
Peak torque |
700 Nm |
Transmission |
AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G |
Acceleration 0-100km/h |
3.9 s |
Top speed |
295 km/h |