Latest news with #SL63
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Eight-cylinders return as Mercedes-AMG prices long awaited SL 63
Soft-top sibling of the AMG GT will still get from 0-100 km/h in four seconds and hit a top sped of 315 km/h. Mercedes-AMG has finally added to the SL63 to its line-up in South Africa. Image: Mercedes-AMG Its line-up having remained stagnent since the arrival of the four-cylinder '43' almost two years ago, Mercedes-AMG has finally confirmed pricing of the '63' variant of the new SL. No electric assistance Shown as far back as 2021, the first ever AMG-developed SL sits opposite the coupe-only AMG GT as being offered solely with a fabric roof-top roof that opens and closes in a Z-pattern in 15 seconds at up to 60 km/h. ALSO READ: Modernised Mercedes SL43 lives up to its proud heritage Known internally as the R232, the first new SL since the R231 that stayed in production from 2012 to 2021 also becomes the first to offer the 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive, which until now, hasn't been applicable to South Africa as the mentioned '43' only comes with rear-wheel-drive. Despite the availability of the entry-level eight-cylinder SL 55 and the range-topping plug-in hybrid SL 63 S revealed at the end of 2023, the mid-spec SL 63 will for now top the local range with outputs of 430kW/800Nm from its non-electrically assisted 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8. Fabric roof opens and closes in 15 seconds up to 60 km/h. Image: Mercedes-AMG Paired to the nine-speed MCT transmission, with the 4Matic+ system sending the amount of twist to all four corners, the SL 63 will get from 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and a hit top speed of 315 km/h. Spec As in Europe, South African models have the option of alloy wheels ranging from 19 to 21-inches, although in a departure, the rear-axle steering system has been fitted as standard and not as an option. Also included are the Digital LED headlights, the Airscarf neck warmers integrated into the headrests of the front seats, the adaptive Active Ride Control dampers and the electronic limited slip differential. In total, the AMG Dynamic Select system offers six modes; Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual and a first-time Race mode not available on the SL 43 or the SL 55. Bar the obvious move to right-hand-drive, the interior has not been changed from the depicted European-market model. Image: Mercedes-AMG As part of the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package, buyers get more engine mounts, yellow AMG branded brake calipers, a ride height drop of 10 mm and carbon fibre exterior trim. Inside, no specification differences from the European SL have taken place, meaning the retention of the 11.9-inch MBUX infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the new AMG Performance steering wheel and, as an option, the AMG Performance seats. Price Priced from R3 943 156, the SL 63's sticker includes a five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan as standard. NOW READ: All-new AMG developed Mercedes-Benz SL revealed
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Shifting Focus to the Driver: 2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram Series Driven
For those of us whose splurges tend to be more outlet mall than oceanfront property, it can be hard to imagine a world where the regular old $188K Mercedes-AMG SL63 isn't a posh-enough droptop to demonstrate one's status. It's got an adjustable center screen, massaging seats, and Airscarf vents in the headrests. What else do you need, rose-gold details and a monogrammed hood? According to Mercedes-Maybach, which operates in a realm where the yachts have yachts and it's superfluous to say "private" before "island," the answer is yes, you need those precise things and more. The latest addition to its fleet of floaty, two-tone VIP carriers is the 2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL680, which offers everything we didn't realize was missing from the SL63. Namely, monograms. It's a surprising choice to add a two-seat sports-car option to the long wheelbases and reclining rear seats of the current Maybach lineup, which has S-class, EQS, and GLS versions. Maybach is associated with high-end limousine service and chauffeured transport, making the SL an unexpected model in the lineup. Daniel Lescow, head of Mercedes-Maybach, says the decision to add a car more suited for self-driving (in the old-fashioned sense, not the autonomous one) came directly from customer feedback. The interest is there, Lescow says, and Maybach exists to meet the desires of the hoi oligoi. In this case, Maybach soothed the savage beast of the AMG SL with a softened suspension, more sound deadening, and a dialed-back performance tune while amping up the visual impact with two-tone paint schemes and Maybach-specific design elements. The drivetrain remains physically unchanged from the nonhybrid SL63. It's the same twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 making 577 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque backed by a nine-speed automatic, all-wheel drive, and four-wheel steering. The drive modes and chassis tune are unique to Maybach, though, offering a plusher ride with less focus on high-speed lateral action and flag-drop finishes. We've previously described the AMG SL cars as having "tough-guy-in-designer-duds styling." The Maybach SL is still well dressed and well muscled, but now it's less prone to losing its temper. While the overall body of the Maybach SL is not radically different from the SL63's, it gets a different personality through a unique front end and Maybach-specific 21-inch forged wheels, in five-hole monoblock or spoked designs. Where the standard SL has a GT-like shark mouth flanked by wide air inlets, the Maybach fills its maw with delicate slats. Below is an open lower fascia that, on closer inspection, is composed of a mesh of interlocking Maybach logos. The Maybach pattern will be a recurring theme around the car. From the fabric top to the optional printed pattern on the hood, experiencing the Maybach SL is a bit like driving away in a high-end handbag. Even tiny details, like the coppery housings over the LED headlights or the chrome badges along the side, leave no opportunity to mistake this SL for anything but a Maybach. While Maybach buyers will obviously have the chance to customize their SL through Mercedes's Manufaktur bespoke services, the debut SLs come in two ready-made Monogram Series specs, White Ambience and Red Ambience, which sound like opposing queens in an Alice in Wonderland adventure. We recommend not offing anyone's heads, however, since the only interior layout includes Crystal White nappa leather and fluffy white carpets. Truly, is there anything that screams "disposable income" more than white floor mats? You'd need a carpet cleaner on retainer. They can live on one of your yachts. Neither of the Monogram paint schemes is a subtle package, but then again, who buys a convertible (and a Maybach, for that matter) to blend in? Inside, Maybach removed the SL's tiny rear seats in favor of a leather-covered package tray. The front seats remain in the same location, so there's no major increase in legroom, but the change makes the interior less cluttered, so we suppose you could claim that it offers some additional mental space. The remaining front seats are softer than in the Mercedes version, with additional padding in the backrest and the bottom cushion. It's noticeable and appreciated, especially on the roads around Ibiza, Spain, where the only thing more popular than a sick beat was a speed bump. Not that too many of those bumps made their way through the retuned suspension of the SL680. Maybach sacrificed some of the road-hugging sharpness of the SL63 in favor of road-absorbing comfort, with a decrease in camber, revalved dampers, softer springs front and rear, and increased cushioning around the suspension mounting points to soak up vibrations before they reach the cabin. Maybach's drive modes are comfort focused as well, with relaxed steering feel and even some luxury lag in throttle input—but only in Maybach mode. In Sport mode, the adaptive dampers tighten up, the steering quickens, and the throttle offers instant response, although Maybach claims that the SL680's Sport mode is still softer than even the Comfort mode in the SL63. These changes—plus the additional weight of the SL680's sound deadening and rose-gold details—should add close to a second to the 3.0-second 60-mph time we got from the SL63. Since this is your island-only car, there are surely plenty of track monsters in your mainland garage. It may be off-brand to admit it, but there were things we liked better about the softened-up SL. In the user-configurable Individual mode, with Sport's responsive throttle and Maybach's relaxed suspension setup, the SL680 swooshed around corners with none of the jitters or sidestepping of its more athletic competitors. It's almost a forgotten pleasure, to go fast without feeling every pavement imperfection drummed up your spinal column. If this is luxury, we like it. Certainly, it's a delight from the right seat, where a harsh ride feels worse when there's no driving task to distract. Passenger princes and princesses will be suggesting the Maybach for all outings. So what's the downside to Maybaching it up? Well, there's the price, which, while not currently available, is likely to be considerably more than the AMG SL63's $188,300. On that note, should Maybach have done more? While we loved the cushioned ride, are a flashy hood and softer springs enough to differentiate the Maybach SL680 from the AMG SL63? In some ways, the buyer gets less for more—no rear seat, less impressive performance numbers, likely a paltry 15-mpg EPA combined fuel-economy rating—and none of the specialty features of the larger Maybach offerings. With no rear seat or extended cabin, there's no place to showcase a reclining lounge seat or a refrigerated wine cooler. The niceties of the Maybach SL are shared with the Mercedes SL. A warming Airscarf from the headrest, massaging seats, a convertible top that can be raised or lowered in 15 seconds, a center touchscreen that can be tilted to avoid glare—all are fabulous conveniences, but none of them are unique to the Maybach. One wonders whether the Maybach buyer might simply opt for the top-of-the-line SL63 S E Performance plug-in hybrid and consider that enough. 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Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mercedes-AMG Unveils Exclusive SL 63 Golden Coast Edition for U.S. Market
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector Mercedes-AMG has unveiled its latest special-edition roadster, the 2025 SL 63 Manufaktur Golden Coast, a high-performance luxury convertible designed exclusively for the U.S. market. Limited to just 100 units, this exclusive model follows last year's SL 63 Big Sur edition, drawing inspiration from the golden hues of the American West Coast. Developed by Mercedes' Manufaktur customization division, the Golden Coast edition is distinguished by its Kalahari Gold Magno paint, covering both the body and accent areas of the black 21-inch forged wheels. The satin gold finish, a first for an SL 63 in the U.S., aims to capture the elegance of coastal sands at sunset. Complementing the bold exterior, the Aerodynamic Package and Night Package enhance the car's aggressive presence. Gloss black accents adorn the side mirror caps, grille, exhaust tips, and Mercedes-Benz badging, creating a sharp contrast against the golden bodywork. Inside, the golden theme continues, with intricate gold stitching and accents across the seats, door panels, and center console. A "MANUFAKTUR Golden Coast" badge further cements the vehicle's exclusivity. Performance remains a focal point, with the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 delivering 577 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, the SL 63 Golden Coast accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 196 mph. Production of the SL 63 Golden Coast is limited to 100 units, with the first deliveries expected to reach select dealerships in February 2025. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
