Tacky gold decals aside, it's surprisingly subtle.
German tuner Manhart Performance has worked magic on the new Mercedes-AMG SL63, giving the svelte roaster more power, presence, and a new name. Meet the Manhart SL 700 R.
As standard, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine produces 577 horsepower and 590 lb-ft torque. This wasn't enough for Manhart, which beefed the motor up with an upgraded air filter, MHtronik powerbox, and revised intercooler. The results are a heady 697 hp and a tire-destroying 690 lb-ft, sent to all four wheels for maximum traction.
The company also fettled with the AMG Speedshift MCT 9G transmission to manage this surfeit of power and torque. Should you require a throatier V8 burble, Manhart also offers OPF delete sport downpipes with 600-cell catalytic converters, but this is not approved by Germany's Technischer Uberwachungsverein (TUV), making it an export option only.
Manhart typically goes all out when it comes to exterior styling add-ons. However, the company kept things relatively subtle with the topless AMG. The bodywork has been enlivened with Manhart's signature black and gold color scheme, with auric elements found all over the vehicle. Gold stripes flow over the hood and trunk lid, as well as down the sides of the car.
The stock wheels have made way for Manhart Forged Line wheels by mbDESIGN. Painted in black with gold detailing, these 22-inch alloys are wrapped in Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2 tires, sized 295/30 up front and 335/25 at the rear. Manhart hasn't upgraded the braking system but has replaced the AMG-branded calipers with a Manhart design.
Customers can request additional customization at extra cost, of course. This extends to the interior; Manhart offers cockpit personalization for just about every vehicle it produces.
While the gold-colored embellishments are a bit much, we must concede that this is one of Manhart's more subdued designs. And one of its rarest, too. Manhart says it will only produce 10 examples of the SL 700 R in this configuration.
The new R232 SL hasn't been on the market for that long, but already, several tuners have revealed upgraded versions of the German roadster. If you want even more power than Manhart can offer, Keyvany's package delivers a whopping 820 hp. While that sounds appealing, the styling is somewhat over the top.
Mansory has gone further, butchering the SL with a vulgar body kit and a few too many accessories. If you're in the market for a unique SL, perhaps you could leave it to Mercedes to create a one-of-a-kind vehicle through its Manufaktur program.
Keyword: Mercedes-AMG SL63 Transforms Into 700-HP Tire Shredding Drop-Top