Well it’s happening, a 4 cylinder SL in the US. Certain V8 owners may not like it because a lower priced 4 cyl SL may “dilute” the SL brand, but I find it exciting, and the price tag is still more than exclusive enough. Let’s also not forget that one of the most iconic SL’s, the 190SL, was a 4 banger. For just some bigger turbos, and much of the performance trim as standard, I personally think the SL63 is overpriced compared to its SL55 sibling which I find to be perfectly priced for what it is. It does not necessitate a near 40k increase for pretty much the same car with more power. That said, I do think this I4 SL should have started around 100k and not 111k. Considering how the 55 and 63 are near enough the same car, I think the pricing structure fails to reflect that with the introduction of the 43, which sits closer to the 55 than the 55 does to the 63 does in terms of price. I still think this is a fantastic price for the SL as a whole though. Sure it won’t be as quick or sound as good as its V8 siblings, but the 2.0 I4 is a fantastic engine with great power. And IMO it is still a real AMG. I don’t characterize that through displacement or cylinder count, but by “one man one engine.” AMG started with all kinds of engines, not just V8s. With 375 hp and 354 lb-ft, MB claims 4.8 to 60, which, knowing AMG, is obviously a conservative estimate, I’d expect it near 4.5. Not only will it be much lighter than the V8 SL, but it will be RWD only. This means pretty much all the (substantial) weight savings are taken off the front end. This will result in a weight distribution closer to 50/50 (54/46 for V8s) and better driving dynamics as a whole. This SL43 weighs 3990 lbs, a few hundred pound decrease from the V8s which are between 4200 and 4300 if I’m not mistaken.

At the end of the day, some people will want the V8 if they’re paying this much. Some may want the V8 for the sound and acceleration, but some may want the I4 for the lighter, more agile car. All preference, and I completely understand both sides.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a43944944/2023-mercedes-amg-sl43-confirmed-usa/#

https://media.mbusa.com/releases/release-8b341a2273b7b5b9335167a11200a5c7-mercedes-amg-sl-43-new-entry-to-sl-model-range-with-innovative-engine-technology




Some may note the different styling from the V8, which looks less aggressive and more elegant. It’s preference based and to each their own. In Europe the SL43 is available with a “V8 styling pack” which makes the car look pretty much identical to its V8 brothers. There is no mention of this being available in the US and I personally hope it doesn’t make its way over. I think the different styling helps distinguish the I4 from the V8. We don’t need every single one of them to look the same.

Overall I really like it! I think this will be a great offering and I look forward for to seeing them arrive later this year. They say this summer, but considering their recent blunders I’d say that’s more of a hopeful estimate.

 

I think it will be a tough sell except in countries that tax based on displacement (China). Look what happened when Porsche put 4-cylinder engines in the Boxster/Cayman...US sales fell off a cliff...and that was at a significantly lower pricepoint.

 

I actually agree with you. I don’t think it’ll be as bad as what happened with Porsche because the 718 platform is much more of a true driving enthusiast platform, but I do think sales will be much lower than the V8s. There will be some buyers who prefer the lower price point and just want a tourer and don’t really care as much about the power train. I think the SL buyer is more of a mixed bag, with some being true enthusiasts who know what they want, and others who just want it because they can, kind of like the R107 and earlier R129. It was the car to have no matter if you were an enthusiast or not. Being seen in one just meant you made it! The wait lists at the time to order one reflected that too, now that role has been handed to the G-Wagen.

 

It's been said before by me and others...seems like a major product planning gaffe not to offer an SL53/SL500 with the excellent E53/S500 drivetrain instead of this four cylinder in markets like the US.

 

The rumor I heard is AMG is currently developing a new fully fledged, one man one engine, I6 to be the new “flagship” AMG motor, replacing the 4.0 V8 on future 55/63 platforms and would be detuned and maybe slightly modified as a replacement for the current 53 I6 motor. If that turns out to be true, I wouldn’t be surprised if it makes its way over to the SL as maybe an SL53 in the refresh. I think their reasoning to not opt for the current I6 in this SL is because it is not a “real” AMG motor, but rather an “AMG enhanced” motor like the old V6 in the 43 AMGs. Being that this SL was developed by AMG and is AMG only, I think they would rather fit it with an AMG developed, one man one engine motor, like the 4.0 V8 and 2.0 I4. If this rumor of a new I6 to replace the 4.0 on future platforms turns out to be true, the first iteration of it will be in the E63 AMG which is slated to have an I6 hybrid power train.

 

I think it will be the most successful seller out of the bunch. There will be middle aged and older crowd who want a Merc convertible that isn’t entry level. The 63 probably is intimidating and too high priced for people who can no doubt afford it, but just think it’s over the top.

 

I think it's a little too pricey but with all the non GT mustangs I see around - I completely agree that many just want a sleek convertible and don't care what is necessarily powering it.

I really was hoping base pricing was under the 100k mark.

 

It’s interesting to see all the different view points. I think we can all agree that they over priced it, for me it really should’ve started at about 10k less. I have no problem with it hovering around 100 but this is 10k too much. One of the reasons I don’t see this being a huge success is because even the I6 in the S class has not been a huge seller. According to all the salesmen I’ve talked too, the I6 sits on lots much longer than the V8. They end up discounting the I6 much more just to get them out the door. Even a year ago when my dealers were charging over on pretty much anything with 4 wheels, they were discounting the S500 by about 10-15k because the demand simply wasn’t there like it was for the v8. It was the same story with the S450 W222 with the V6, in fact even worse. I find it funny because I think the S500 is objectively a better car in some regards. Either way, if the S500 set any kind of precedent for a >$100k flagship MB, then a 4 cyl SL may not be the best seller. I could be wrong and maybe there will be a sizable crowd that doesn’t care or even prefers it. I’m a big SL guy, so seeing more on the road makes me happy, as long as it’s a good package, and I personally really like this 4 cyl offering.

 

You do get a lighter front end in the S 500 compared to the S 580 making cornering a little better.

 

Yup, just one of the many ways the S500 is objectively better than the s580. I’ve also heard it rides smoother too because of the lower weight over the front end. I’ve read that not only on the forums but from salesmen as well. The much lighter front end of the SL43 should mean that turn in must be incredible.

 

Was mainly worried about if the horsepower is adequate for the R232 SL 43, the new SL is very heavy, despite being called SL (I guess Super Light but in German?)

 

not too too long ago a 4.8 0-60 was supercar territory 😊

we are spoiled with our 1.9 second Tesla plaids

 

I mean I understand where you are coming from but I wasn't referring to 0-60 times, I was mainly interested in the torque and horsepower and if it is going to pull the four cylinder well, not too long ago we still have bigger displacement engines despite lower horsepower, it was still effortless power, nowadays these engines especially the M139 is heavily boosted.

 

That said though, I realized the GLE 350 is heavier than the SL (I mean makes sense) and the four cylinder doesn't always struggle pulling that, although not the same engine.... so maybe my worries towards the M139 in the SL 43 are too much.

 

I wouldn’t be worried about it considering it weighs like 300 lbs less. It’ll have more than enough power to move its heft. It’ll be a mid 4 second car, which by todays standards won’t rip your face off but is it definitely respectable.

 

Ya I figured.

 

Optioned up my guess is 125-130K out the door. That's pricey. I expect a slow seller with discounts to be had. 25K more for a 55? Worth it. So much more car. It might be quick on the low end but at highway passing speeds no so much.

 

How do you think the weight of the V8 in the 55 affect the cornering on twisties compared to the 43?

 

I am a bit baffled by the push back on the pricing of the new SLs. My understanding of the SL (especially now that it is exclusively an AMG) is that it is one of MB's halo cars. Halo cars are never intended to be the best sellers. They are typically aspirational cars. I for one do not want to see myself coming and going with too many SLs on the road. I was not too jazzed that MB introduced the SL43 so soon in the US market. Fortunately, it is above $100k so like the SL55 and SL63, the SL43 will have a limited audience. All of the new SLs come with a lot of standard equipment. I challenge you to find another new car at a lower price with a hand built performance engine with as much equipment as the SL.

 

z4 is a strong contender to SL43 with 30-40K saving.
SL63 is in another category car but it competes with Porsche, Bentley, F cars etc.
We are lucky to have choices to waste our money on non practical convertible cars.

 

The pushback is because it’s not in line with other Mercedes model pricing. The R107 for example was cheaper than the comparable SEC of the time. Today? The SL55 starts at about 20k more than an S580, yes granted it’s now an AMG. I agree about exclusivity of the SL. When I say I “the more SLs on the road the better” I don’t mean in a dilution type of a way but more in the sense that I hope they actually sell the ones they produce. We’re midway through 2023 and still many 2022s remain on dealer lots. On one hand you don’t want to dilute it, but on the other hand you don’t want something similar to the BMW I8 where everyone knew you got a massive discount on it because no one wanted it. That’s not very aspirational. I think the SL55 is perfectly priced, however for what you get over a 55, the SL63 is not as easily justifiable. The opposite case can be made for the 43 versus the 55. We’ve already seen huge discounts and massive depreciation on near new SLs.

I completely agree, there is not a single other package like the SL, doesn’t even matter what price range. This is why I’m an SL stan. Unfortunately I don’t have an R232, but when the time comes it’s definitely my first and only choice. Personally, I don’t like the 911. Never been a fan. I’ve always loved SLs though.

 

The SL AMG’s have always been very very expensive.

The SL55 of 2003 cost $118k… BASE. That’s roughly $185k when considering inflation. And it costs the same as a 911 Turbo back then too.

 

Maybe the 43 is a bit more toss-able but I doubt this will be the main selling point. Most people buy these cars to cruise in and will never push these cars anywhere near the limits to find out. Unless you're tracking or spending your weekends on twisties it won't matter to most. It's mostly a price buy. I think in general terms, two different markets with some overlap.

 

The Z4 competes with a Porsche Cayman I believe so way lower tier than an SL. The SL like others said competes with 911.

 

I guess that is true. The SL was always meant to be drop top luxury cruiser.