The swoopy Mercedes-AMG SL roadster is getting a Formula 1-inspired entry variant in the U.S. with a new engine and rear-wheel drive.
The 2023 Mercedes-AMG SL 43 arrives in U.S. dealerships this summer and starts at $111,050, including shipping.
An AMG-enhanced 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine powers the open-top 2+2 seater, delivering 375 hp and a 0-to-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds.
An entry-level, rear-wheel-drive SL could broaden the reach of the iconic but low-volume nameplate. But it remains to be seen if SL buyers, willing to pay a hefty premium for V-8 performance, will warm to four cylinders.
The SL is a flagship model in North America, AutoPacific President Ed Kim said. Whether the new SL moves the needle on sales, Kim said, “comes down to performance and sound.”
To deliver performance, the SL 43 leans on Formula 1 racing-derived technology. The M139 engine features an electric exhaust gas turbocharger, which helps improve response time from idle and across the rpm range.
The new kind of turbocharging increases “driving fun” while improving efficiency, Mercedes AMG Chief Technology Officer Jochen Hermann said in a statement.
The Porsche 911 fighter sits on Mercedes’ lightweight composite aluminum Modular Sports Architecture. The rigidity of the body shell structure is increased by 18 percent and, combined with the low center of gravity, provides for a spirited driving experience.
Mercedes gave the SL 43 a unique front fascia and rear apron to differentiate the model from its more powerful siblings. And the tailpipe trim accents are rounded instead of angular.
But the SL 43 retains the model line’s characteristic long wheelbase, short overhangs, long hood, steeply raked windshield and the muscular rear. The minimalist cockpit is anchored by an electronically adjustable 11.9-inch touchscreen that runs Mercedes’ second generation MBUX infotainment system, which debuted in the new Mercedes S-Class.
The dashboard features a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster and aviation-inspired galvanized turbine air nozzles for climate control.
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