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Wheels Magazine: Mercedes reveals SL 63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the flagship version of its most luxurious roadster – the SL63 AMG.

Wheels Magazine: Mercedes reveals SL 63 AMG
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Mercedes-Benz has revealed the flagship version of its most luxurious roadster – the SL63 AMG.

With the new SL’s all-aluminium body contributing to an overall weight reduction of 125kg compared with the outgoing generation, and Merc’s 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 engine under the bonnet, the SL63 AMG uses up to 415kW and 900Nm to shift a roadster that weighs as much as an HSV GTS.

Those outputs are the most we’ve seen from Merc’s fresh 5.5-litre (employed in E63, CLS63 and CL63) yet its 1845kg kerb weight is also significantly less than that of those AMGs. The results are staggering – 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds, and 200km/h in 12.6sec.

However, buyers will now need to option a ‘Performance Pack’ to access those outputs and achieve that pace. While the PP is expected to replace today’s thirsty, V12-engined SL65 AMG as the range flagship, the standard SL63 AMG gets ‘only’ 395kW/800Nm.

Both are claimed to achieve 9.9L/100km combined, and utilise AMG sports suspension with active dampers, speed-sensitive variable-ratio steering, high-performance compound brakes and a seven-speed automatic transmission.

As with the entire sixth-generation SL range, the folding hard-top lid (with optional sunroof) drops in 20 seconds. Mercedes claims the SL is the world’s safest roadster, with ultra-high-tensile A-pillars, two automatic rollover bars, separate side thorax and head airbags, and a full arsenal of PRE-SAFE active safety systems protecting the well-heeled sun-loving occupants.

The all-new SL63 AMG will be previewed at the Geneva motor show in early March. Australian deliveries are expected late-year, with a (gulp) circa-$500K pricetag expected.

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