How can Mercedes call their new AMG SL a roadster? It's got a back seat! I was really interested in a GTC and when I called to order a 2021 I was told no can do. I would have to wait for the 2022 AMG SL 63.
I've been watching the videos and is it just me or does this new AMG SL 63 fall short on looks compared to the GTC.. Not saying the SL isn't a good looking car. We test drove a 2017 GTC Coupe and I don't know what year SL was. SL was like riding on butter and all BUT the GTC got the looks and heart pumping. Bugging me that I can't see the new AMG SL 63 BUT wondering if it's going to be just another OK SL model or will adding the AMG upgrades make it a better buy than a GTC. Thoughts?

 

I think the new SL looks good as an SL replacement, and terrible as a GTC replacement.

 

I was stopped in Beverly Hills last week and asked if my GT was the new roadster. I was happy to point out the differences. No (unusable) back seat and a longer hood (bonnet). If past is prologue, the SL is going to be soft.

 

If you, as do I wish to have a convertible, then there is no other choice but to get the new AMG SL. It is interesting to note that the engine has the same 0 to 60 times as does the AMG GTC which I owned for three years. A number of years ago I had a 550 SL and the tiny backseat didn't bother me. I don't know yet about how the cornering will be and handling and what the options will be in setting up in different modes. I suspect that they will have one fairly aggressive mode and that might be just fine. I will likely get one when it comes out because of my living in Southern California and loving a convertible. And, since it has massive horsepower available, equal to the AMG GTC, and equivalent 0 to 60 times, I think I will take my chances! I realize that this train of thought is antithetical to many in the AMG community and it is a travesty for them to see the new SL be labeled as an AMG even though AMG says it is from their shop! Oh well, when it comes out and people look at it and drive it maybe the snap judgments will loosen a bit.

 

Other choice is to find a lightly used GTC. They are around BUT haven't found one exactly the way I would have built it. See a lot of multiple owner cars which also turns me off. I'm looking for a toy, a REALLY nice toy. Thinking the new SL will tickle some buttons but will loose big on the wow factor. Speed is just one aspect of the GTC.

 

It's important to point out that the new SL isn't anywhere close to the older ones. There are two versions of the SL55 and SL63, a softer and a performance oriented one, but they are all true AMG cars from the ground up. More so than the C or E-Class AMG's.
From specs and reviews the new SL63 appears be to a more comfortable E63 non S (Front engine, 9speed MCT, Air suspension, 4matic+)

Some prior SL models already had unusable rear seats and were still called a roadster so I think that is a non-issue.

That said, we are keeping our GTC roadster for the time being. GT models are more special in AMG's line-up. Nearly hand build, front-mid engine, transaxle, DCT, endless hood (love that)and not nearly as heavy as all the other MB porkers. Love the look of the GT models. Very classic design

 

Question is if the new GT is the SL with a hard top?

 

I haven't seen any reviews - real hands on reviews. Can you point a couple out? I'd like to read them. So far what I've seen are press release rewrites mostly and/or YouTube "influencer" demos in a garage or warehouse. But not real extended track drives.

 

SL 63 first drive reviews will be out next week. I believe on the 13th.

 

Much the drive info comes from people that have driven the car for training. MB did extended track and road sessions for that so I can't easily point you specific thread but here is the official R232 thread with plenty of info (and opinions)
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-r232-276/

 

I think these cars will be appealing BUT it sure looks like they will be victims of the ongoing supply chain problems.

We were supposed to see dealer deliveries in the 4Q of 21. Now the line is 2nd-3rd qtr of this year. No dealers have official allocations…yet and production hasn’t started yet.

Anybody wanting a hybrid SL63 more than likely won’t see it until 2/Q/23 at the earliest.

I wish things were different.

 

Clear bra installed. Now time to enjoy. More impressions to follow.

 

Beautiful SL!

 

Has anyone else had an issue with wind noise with the top up on the driver's side? I get a lot of noise above 50. More than my GTC and previous SLs....

 

I haven't noticed it but some others have. Go this forum and search.

 

Thought it would be worthwhile to post how the SL platform performed at the C&D Lightning lap at VIR this year. Given the weight, it is impressive...

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...ning-lap-2023/

 

Zzzzzzzzz

 

Ouch, bested by an Audi RS3.

 

But let's bring some honesty here. The Audi was faster by one tenth of a second - yet sported R series tires. Those of us who race know that R series tires compared to standard tires like the Michelins are worth lots of time. Please gentlemen apples and apples. There may be lots of reasons to not like the SL63 but this time one tenth behind the Audi is not one of them.

 

It's a factory option tire, it's not as though they added aftermarket tires for the lap. The SL63 also tied an SUV.... I suppose it's at least competing squarely with sports cars from nearly a decade ago.

 

And the seat was broke or they would have gone faster.

How about we get a real race car driver to do these tests? Or at least both. Here is an average driver and here is a professional.

I can't remember which car but the guy running the hot laps admitted he was 2 seconds off the pace of a reference lap by one of the factory engineers. 2 seconds..... That's an eternity.

 

I pointed out the lap time because this thing is pretty quick on the track despite its weight and regulars PS4s rubber. This years RS3 was 13 seconds quicker than the last RS3 on regular performance rubber/same power so not sure if the comparison matters. Noteworthy here only because the upcoming AMG GT shares the platform and provides some indication of what you'll get with that car, for better or worse...

 

Hopefully it can at least manage to best the AMG GTS, since the SL63 wasn't able to.

 

Apparently the GT architecture was designed first on this new car, and then the new SL spawned from it, so maybe, maybe the actual GT version will be a true ‘driver’s car’. I am however not liking the 2+2 seating arrangement and I bet the damn thing is going to be heavy and pricy.

Hope I’m wrong!

 

What accounts for all the extra weight the 2+2 adds maybe 12 inches of length. New chassis designs seem to always add strength and lose weight. The weight gain is 800 pounds? Strange.