Once I first met the SL63 AMG, I used to be undecided what to make of the automobile. I acquired the Monroney for the automobile (window sticker) earlier than it was delivered, and I used to be surprised by the sticker value of $208,000. I instantly began to consider different automobiles obtainable in that value class. New automobiles with costs north of $200k are at a really completely different degree than these underneath that quantity, and for a automobile to compete at that degree it needs to be wonderful in each class or it’s going to shortly be regarded as an overpriced also-ran compared. Some embrace the Audi R8, Porsche 911 Turbo, McLaren GT, Lamborghini Huracan, and for just some thousand extra {dollars} you will get an Aston Martin DB11 or a base Maserati MC20. In different phrases, the world of supercars, not traditionally a spot {that a} Mercedes SL suits in nicely.

I say that based mostly alone possession of SL Mercedes automobiles. I’ve owned a 1985 380SL, a 1988 560SL, and a 2006 SL55 AMG. All had been nice automobiles and, whereas the SL55 was undoubtedly shifting into the skinny air of the supercar world, it was nonetheless a Mercedes SL, a wonderful automobile however not one you see parked within the supercar space at a automobiles and low occasion. Can an AMG Mercedes SL actually play on this area on equal footing? I had every week with the automobile to search out out.

The automobile arrived and I used to be a bit extra confused. It has a design that appears to include a little bit of AMG GT blended with a little bit of Mercedes SL with some 911 design language thrown in. I used to be confused at this however acquired within the automobile and took it for a fast 15-mile drive.

From behind the wheel the SL63 felt completely different from any Mercedes SL from the final 15 years I’ve pushed. The inside was extra cockpit than nation membership cruiser and the efficiency was greater than every other SL as nicely. My SL55 was quick, however the SL63 was each quicker and a bit extra severe feeling behind the wheel. It jogged my memory of one other automobile, however I couldn’t put my finger on what that automobile was on the time.

Efficiency is superb with this 4,300-pound automobile capable of do 0-60 in 3 seconds flat and the ¼ mile in 11.2 seconds. The automobile not solely goes fast however feels fast, pushing you again within the seat because the velocity builds. One thing that’s typically missed in quick automobiles which are this heavy. And talking of points with heavy automobiles, although you’re at all times a bit conscious of the burden the SL63 carries, the automobile corners wonderful and hooks up in turns nicely. Certain, the steering really feel is a bit remoted from the chassis, however the automobile sticks nicely and even lets you step out the rear finish a bit on nook exits throughout spirited driving.

The supplies used on the SL63 inside are great with the perfect leather-based blended with a pleasant mixture of aluminum and carbon fiber. The seats had been additionally comfy but additionally very completely different, being extra of a leather-based lined racing seat than the standard cozy Mercedes SL simple chair.

Construct high quality is superb, as is regular for all high line Mercedes automobiles, with good door gaps and great paint work. I personally discovered the wheel design to be a bit bizarre, however that design does make the wheels extraordinarily simple to scrub. 

The general design of the automobile is an attention-grabbing mixture of AMG GT and Mercedes SL, and with the highest down the automobile has a really distinct look. It grows on you and after a couple of days with the automobile I made a decision I favored it. I’ll say that the look with the highest up shouldn’t be superior. It seems like the highest design was finished final and to me not nicely built-in, one thing I’ve by no means considered every other Mercedes SL automobile. The answer for me was to depart the highest down for the time I had the automobile.

The exhaust sound of the SL63 has a severe NASCAR inventory car-like observe at full throttle that sounds implausible. The truth that it will also be immediately extra subdued when needed on the contact of a button on the steering wheel is totally in keeping with the standard SL buyer base.

Now for a couple of negatives. The Burmester audio system is, to me, one of many weakest of any ultra-luxury producer. It doesn’t matter which Mercedes I’ve pushed with the system, it has at all times sounded at greatest abnormal.

One other level is that the client base for the SL has (virtually from the start) typically been one who golfs. Good luck discovering area within the trunk for a set of golf equipment, although they are going to match within the rear seat space with a little bit creativity.

Lastly, talking of the rear seat space, I’ve a single query. Why? The Mercedes SL has by no means in its whole historical past provided a again seat as normal, so why provide it now? Any youngster not in a automobile seat won’t match within the rear seat, and it looks as if an idiotic addition that not solely needlessly steals inside room but additionally limits trunk area, one thing severely missing within the SL63.

After 5 days with the SL63, I drove it over to a good friend’s residence and took a drive in his 1959 300SL roadster which helped me lastly work out what the SL63 jogged my memory of. The 300SL roadster is similar sort of severe automobile, albeit from one other period, that the SL63 is. The 300SL additionally is similar sort of driver-focused sports activities automobile with luxurious trappings because the SL63. The design even seems a bit like a extra trendy model of the 300SL roadster, particularly with the highest down.

So, to my eye, what Mercedes have finished with the SL63 is to return to the start with the SL collection and make a real luxurious sports activities automobile once more, one thing even previous AMG SL automobiles haven’t been. There are at all times compromises with sports activities automobile designs and Mercedes has overcome them in virtually the identical means as they did within the Nineteen Fifties with the 300SL. 

Now again to my authentic query at the start of this evaluate. Does the SL63 measure as much as the supercars automobiles I discussed? In some methods sure, and in some methods no. It’s extra comfy and usable than any of the others as a automobile to drive each day. The efficiency is near the others. It’s the thought of a supercar that can also be civilized. Whereas most individuals who purchase supercars don’t appear to care a few civilized automobile and as an alternative are extra into flash, the Mercedes buyer is a bit completely different. 

This buyer who the SL63 is focused in direction of nonetheless needs the texture and standing of a Mercedes-Benz, however additionally they desire a Mercedes that is a little more thrilling than the previous couple of generations of SL automobiles, each in styling and efficiency. They need a automobile that’s completely different from each SL constructed for the reason that launch of the W113 Pagoda in 1963. They’ve delivered on this, and it might help in bringing in some youthful consumers to the model. Nevertheless, it’s seemingly solely going to upset Mercedes consumers who aren’t prepared to cope with the few sacrifices in consolation that the brand new automobile requires. 

After every week I discovered I favored the SL63 AMG and actually really feel that it has quite a bit to supply even on the $200k plus price ticket.

Simply do away with the ineffective again seat and name Bowers and Wilkins to have the give the automobile a correct audio system, and I’ll go from like to like.

2022 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG

Car kind: 2+2 passenger roadster, all-wheel drive

Base value: $178,100 Worth as examined: $208,035

Engine: Handcrafted AMG 4.0L V8 Biturbo Engine with 577 Horsepower and 590 lb-ft Torque

Transmission: 9-speed automated

Wheelbase: 106 inches Total size/width: 185.2 inches / 75.4 inches

Curb weight: 4,305 kilos

EPA mileage estimates: 14 metropolis / 21 freeway / 16 mixed

Assembled in: Germany