V8 power only for all-new purpose-built roadster Down Under
First examples of the new 2023 Mercedes-AMG SL 63 4MATIC+ are now arriving on Aussie soil and available to order, with local pricing for the V8-powered roadster announced today at $374,900 plus on-road costs.
Powered by a 430kW/800Nm twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that drives all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 4MATIC+ is the only new SL variant confirmed for the Australian market so far – and it’s likely to remain so.
Aided by a suite of active aero features at both ends of the vehicle, the most obvious being the retractable rear spoiler, the SL 63 is claimed to hit 100km/h in 3.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 315km/h.
Other aero touches include what Mercedes calls the ‘Airpanel’, which comprises a pair of louvres in the upper and lower intakes designed to channel air to the optimised underbody of the car most of the time, until the engine needs greater cooling and the louvres open to maximise air flow into the heat exchangers.
Sheer performance isn’t necessarily the goal of a $300K-plus roadster, however – even if it does wear an AMG badge.
In the name of tradition, packaging and weight-saving, the new SL 63 features a folding fabric roof rather than a folding metal roof as with its predecessor – something AMG reckons lowers the centre of gravity and saves 21kg.
The roof takes 15 seconds to be raised or lowered and can be operated at up to 60km/h.
The SL 63 comes standard with AMG Active Ride Control suspension with hydraulic anti-roll bars, plus a heap of other standard equipment designed to make open-top journeys more fun and comfortable.
Headline cabin kit includes Nappa leather upholstery, eight-way power adjustable front seats with integrated neck warmer, three-position memory function, heated steering wheel, head-up display, an 11-speaker Burmester surround sound system, 64-colour ambient lighting, an 11.9-inch tablet-style infotainment interface with sat-nav, smartphone mirroring and wireless phone charging.
The whole package rolls on grey 21-inch AMG 10-twin-spoke forged wheels, behind which lurk yellow brake callipers.
Helping keep everything in check is route-based adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, traffic sign assist, active traffic-assist, active steering assist and active lane change assist, along with a 360-degree camera, active park assist and pedestrian protection.
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Keyword: New Mercedes-AMG SL: Australian pricing and specs