REVIEW | Mercedes AMG SL 63 - Stirs the Senses
Wind in the hair motoring never felt so good
Make the most of things.
It’s one of the best bits of advice my father ever gave to me. He was a quiet bloke. My mother said he was just good at listening. However, now and then, he’d lob something into the conversation which made you think or chuckle.
His party piece was when my mother bought a pot plant. He’d always announce, “Well, it’s come to its last home.”
On another occasion when I was probably about 18 years old, he said, “Make the most of it son, because the older you get the faster it goes.” Of course, as an 18 year old I hadn’t got a clue what he was talking about. Now, it’s a different matter because he was spot on.
The clock is ticking
That’s why I’d urge you to search your bank accounts, flog some shares and head to your local Mercedes dealer to order one of these - the Mercedes AMG SL 63.
Assuming the UK Government doesn’t change its mind (again), once we hit January 1st 2030, you will no longer be able to buy a new petrol or diesel car (some hybrids may get a slight stay of execution). That will be a day I shall sob into my craft beer because future generations will miss out on the delights of exquisite motoring which only something like this Mercedes SL can deliver.
Engine options
There are three different engine options. First, you have a four-cylinder 2.0 litre, putting out 416bhp with rear-wheel drive. Accelerating from 0-60mph takes around 4.7 seconds, while its top speed is 176mph. As for fuel consumption, it manages 30.8 mpg. For all of this, the AMG SL 43 will cost £108,250 (Apr ’25).
Next up is the AMG SL 55. The engine is now a 4.0 litre V8 putting out 469bhp with all-wheel drive. Slightly quicker, it will do 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 183mph, while its fuel consumption comes in at 21.1mpg. That extra oomf will set you back a little more, with its starting price at £147,855.
And then you have the one you see here - the Mercedes AMG SL 63 - which is available with two engine options. There’s the V8 engine option, which climbs to 577bhp, and allows a 0-60mph time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 196mph. Your mpg will remain the same, however, at 21.1 and prices start at £172,105.
If you want to really push the boat out, there’s a plug-in hybrid option, called the S E Performance, which sees power take another climb, reaching a thumping 805bhp. Gulp. It can whizz from 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds but, thanks to the hybrid system, your fuel consumption will rise dramatically to 35.8mpg.
Although the AMG SL 43 is lovely, the ones to go for are those with the twin-turbo V8 engine. Oh, and one recommendation - try to drop the roof at every opportunity. This is for the simple reason that you will get every ounce of enjoyment from the sound the engine and exhaust make. It’s glorious and could be the reason you buy the car in the first place. Stunning.
Driving experience
The driving experience is also heightened by the all-wheel drive system which appears in a Mercedes SL for the first time. It means the car now can continue in typical SL luxury grand touring style whilst also being thoroughly capable of being an outright sports car.
The key bit of the SL’s name is AMG. Previous SLs were done in-house at Mercedes and then handed on to the AMG folk who sprinkled some of their sporty magic onto it. This latest SL is different, it’s AMG from start to finish and it shows in its sporty nature and a firmer ride than those SLs from the past.
The grip in corners is prodigious. Having said that, the Mercedes SL is still at its ultimate best when cruising and a long-legged trip to the south of France never sounded and looked so good. The 9-speed auto ‘box adds to the experience because you really cannot feel anything when it swaps cogs. You can have some added fun by using the paddles behind the steering wheel.
You can also adjust the driving modes, although I just left it in the Comfort setting. There’s no point in ruining the ride.
As for any downsides, the only tiny bit of pathetic nitpicking would be to say that the huge tyres create a bit of noise on rough surfaces, although turning up the radio will drown that out.
Interior
The interior is a work of art. The sloping central touchscreen can be adjusted for angle so that if you have the roof down and the sun shines onto it, you can move it so that you can still see the screen for sat nav etc. The front seats are extremely supportive and comfortable, and they also have a clever facility which blows warm air around your neck if you’re driving with the roof down on a chilly day. Yes, there are some rear seats but only small children will be able to use them. They make more sense as somewhere to store a few weekend bags when the boot is full. To be honest, I’m not really sure why Mercedes bothered.
In terms of standard specification, every model, no matter which engine you go for, is designated as an AMG which means that you get everything which, considering the price, is what you’d expect. Lowering the roof means you need to delve into the touchscreen (a toggle switch would have been so much easier to use) and the very sensitive controls on the steering wheel can be a tad fiddly. Overall, the cabin has a lovely ambience to it.
Trim levels
There are essentially five trim levels, Premium and Touring, both available with a Plus addition. There’s also Performance trim, but that is reserved for the top-end models. The main difference is down to the styling, and sees Premium and Performance getting a sporty look with black detailing while Touring has a splash of exterior chrome and silver alloys.
Oh, and a bit of praise for the Mercedes voice activation gubbins. It’s super slick and one of the best.
Concluding thoughts
The Mercedes AMG SL 63 is a stunning car. It continues the rich heritage of previous SLs but in a different way. The latest SL - especially the 63 - is aimed more at the sporting end of the market than being a cossetting cruiser. Be prepared for a firmer ride than of late but enjoy the wonderful V8 engine and the way the car handles.
It’s a future classic. Enjoy it while it lasts.
words: Graham Courtney
pictures: Mercedes-Benz
