As much as I repented calling for the Mercedes-AMG SL 55 on a rainy day, the weather seemed to be kinder and there was a dry window that was ideal to capture the shots you see here on these pages. The stars truly seemed to have aligned. Inside, top down, hold the right paddle, foot on the brake, push the start button. A loud bark announces the AMG biturbo V8 under the bonnet. This front-engine, all-wheel-drive SL sounds the part and has a double helping of driver appeal. The steering wheel has a very few turns to lock and feels like a racing car’s to hold and operate. Feedback and weighting are excellent and the response is extremely satisfying as well. The rear-wheel steering, with angles of up to 2.5°, makes short work of tight turns and when manoeuvring through narrow spaces. The ride is firm but not overly so, with the 1,875-kilogram weight not really evident. The weight distribution and saving from the AMG chassis and the re-adoption of a soft-top have meant an agile driving feel with the thrust from the engine providing all the thrill needed.
Ah, the engine! It’s a specifically tuned version of the M177 4.0- litre biturbo V8, not the dry-sumped M178 from the GT, but rather the wet-sumped unit from the AMG S-Class and GT 4-Door, tuned to produce 476 hp from 5,500 rpm and a wholesome peak torque of 700 Nm that arrives from 2,250 rpm and stays until 4,500. The MCT-9G nine-speed dual-clutch automatic drives the predominantly rear-biased 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system that provides unbelievable traction off the line and maintains composure even on wet or dirt surfaces. The standard 20-inch AMG wheels with mixed rubber look the part and offer the contact patches the car needs to put down the power.
This V8’s power is actually slightly down on the SL 55 Kompressor that delivered 500 hp from the M113 supercharged 5.5-litre V8 nearly 20 years ago, albeit with the same peak torque of 700 Nm. The supercharger note, too, is replaced by the whistle of a smooth set of hot-in-V turbochargers for maximum boost response. That said, cruising along at heavy truck speed sees less than 1,500 rpm and getting on the gas does result in momentary turbo-lag, at least in “Comfort” and “Sport” modes. But the exhaust note is one to be savoured. It sounds like distant thunder at low revs with an aggressive war cry as the revs pile on and alchemise speed. “Sport+” is fury and rapid-fire acceleration with a baritone roar but with the distinct lack of loud crackles and pops, thanks in part to the new Euro 6d-spec emission control with a gasoline particulate filter. Unburned hydrocarbons? I didn’t see or smell any.
The Mercedes-AMG SL 55 isn’t the most efficient car, but it is far more efficient in the real world than many earlier cars with V8 engines and not just those from Mercedes. It returns about 3.5 kilometres to a litre in the city and 7.5 km/l on more open roads. There’s no mild-hybrid tech with the only feature being the auto start-stop; which is turned off in Sport+.
The base price is Rs 2.35 crore, so it is common sense to say that this will not be anyone’s first car. It’s a collector’s item that will see drives through clement weather over country roads or the pristine surroundings of a golf resort, among other luxury life indulgences. It is also very likely that a GLE- or GLS-Class will be bought simultaneously for any luggage or back-up the owners may need. Optional equipment includes everything from paint and wheels to an AMG Exterior Carbon package, AMG Ride Control with front suspension lift (highly recommended with the low 100- to 120-mm ground clearance semi-loaded), a head-up display, and, of course, the AMG Dynamic Plus package.
Its natural rival comes from Zuffenhausen from the other side of its home city of Stuttgart but there is something about the AMG SL that stands out. It’s as much as a stylish poser as it is a driver’s car. However, there is a certain sharpness in response that a 911 possesses which is rather unmatched. Even so, I find myself pleasantly surprised. The car’s weight vaporises with the engine’s might and its handling can defy physics at times. It also offers a cocoon of high performance with a typically modern dose of connectivity features and gadget-y equipment.
The Mercedes-AMG SL does indeed feel special. As it rightfully should.
Also read: 50 Years of AMG
