Mercedes SL63 AMG. Thunder with the roof down

Saint Tropez in the South of France is known for being a playground for the rich and famous and tends to be frequented by the poseur crowd that the new Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG is likely to be popular with. We’re not here to pose though, but to find out if the SL63 has substance to go with its style. The SL has historically been a bit of a flabby cruiser, but there seems to be a change in ethos with the latest car, the SL500 that we tested last month impressing us with its abilities. The fact that AMG has been on a bit of a roll lately means that expectations are high for the SL63.

To visually differentiate the SL63 AMG from its lesser brethren, AMG has fitted a more aggressive body kit. The result is a purposeful but not particularly pretty car, the current model losing the sleekness and elegance possessed by SLs of yore.The SLS-inspired cabin also receives the full AMG treatment and is a pretty great place to be. The only area inside that lets the SL down is the multimedia interface; although pretty user-friendly it feels very dated compared to the shiny new systems available to Audi and BMW owners.

With this all-new SL Mercedes has made a concerted effort to reduce the weight. Ok, the previous SL had plenty of fat to shed, but the achievement of reducing vehicle weight by 125kg, thanks to an all-aluminium bodyshell and a carbonfibre bootlid, is not to be sniffed at. Despite these efforts the SL remains hefty at 1845kg, but the 5.5-litre biturbo engine packs more than enough of a punch to win the battle of mass versus velocity. The blown V8 pumps out an incredible 557bhp and a slightly unhinged 664lb ft of torque with our test car’s optional AMG Performance Package (530bhp and 590lb ft without).

So, what’s it like to drive? Pretty epic actually. There’s so much performance to call upon that it’s really hard not to be impressed. All that torque literally hurls me along the road as though I’ve just switched on the afterburners, while the crackle and boom from the quad exhausts quashes any fears that the turbochargers would ruin AMG’s trademark soundtrack. The volume can be turned down by changing the powertrain settings from the most aggressive Sport + to C (which actually stands for Controlled Efficiency not Comfort) when wafting around. It’s almost schizophrenic in its changes of character when I do, going from heavy metal to easy listening at the flick of a switch.

The ‘Speedshift’ MCT 7-speed transmission strikes a good balance between smoothness and speed. In the most aggressive mode it really snaps up and down the ratios, and while there’s still the occasional moment where it refuses a downshift it rarely gets in the way of my enjoyment.

Interestingly I can select my suspension setting independently of the powertrain, and I find myself spending most of my time in Comfort, which really seems to suit the character of the SL63 gliding over imperfections in the road like a magic carpet, yet it never leaves me feeling disconnected from the surface. The new SL chassis is way too stiff and composed for that, making this a really excellent GT. If I push the button for Sport suspension it markedly stiffens the ride but robs the 63 of its suppleness without dramatically improving body-control.

Although the SL’s been on a diet there is no doubt that it’s still a heavy car, but despite our test route largely consisting of tight and twisty French roads, its mass never really becomes an issue as the grip the AMG generates is astonishing. It has a particularly frisky front end that doesn’t seem to have understeer in its vocabulary (not at public road speeds anyway), which is quite a trick with the big V8 located up front. Considering the amount of torque on tap it’s actually quite difficult to unstick the massive rear tyres, but with a bit of provocation the rear will break loose and give me a bit of sideways action. The standard steel brakes on our test car (carbon ceramics are an option) are more than up to the task of shedding speed but are also nicely progressive allowing me to make little inputs when I need to trim a bit of speed into corners.

The weakest aspect of the car is the electro-mechanical power steering. It’s fine once I’ve got a decent amount of lock applied, but its initial response is a bit too sharp which coupled with a slightly disconnected feel means I almost always take corners in a number of bites, rather than one smooth input. It’s annoying rather than a deal-breaker, but it does put a small dent in the SL63’s driver appeal.

Overall the SL63 is a sensational car with plenty of character, combining stonking performance with genuinely agile handling and precision. The fact that it combines this driver’s appeal with the ability to cosset and comfort makes this a truly exceptional GT. Surprisingly, the area where it fails is normally an SL strength and that is the styling, which to my eye could be more elegant and cohesive. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, one thing that isn’t open for debate is that AMG has once again created a blindingly good car.

Mercedes SL63 AMG. Thunder with the roof down

Bassam Kronfli

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