Mercedes-Benz is undoubtedly one of the greatest car brands in the world. They have given us some incredible cars over the years, ranging from the likes of the iconic 300 SL Gullwing to the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR, right through to the hypercars monster that is the AMG Project ONE. And of course, the brand has recently been the dominant force in Formula 1, taking seven consecutive world title doubles. But it isn’t all just about high-performance vehicles, as Mercedes knows how to make a luxurious and practical car as well.

This brings us on to the Mercedes-AMG SL. Mercedes has just launched the 2022 SL in favor of a new model of the GT Roadster the SL is now replacing. The Mercedes-Benz SL hasn’t exactly had a good time of it over the last few years, partly thanks to the AMG GT itself and it had quickly become quite an obsolete car. The new AMG SL looks to hopefully rectify those issues and firmly put the iconic car back on the Mercedes map. We are going to take you through everything that you need to know about the latest release from Mercedes.

Next Step In A Near 70 Year History

Mercedes-AMG SL 2022 Front Road View
via Daimler

The SL has been a part of the Mercedes line-up for nearly 70 years, and this latest iteration looks set to be a big refresh for the model. Strictly speaking, this is the R232 generation of the car and is a much more modern and up-to-date-looking car compared to its predecessor. Plus, no longer is the car going to be a Benz branded model. It will be sold exclusively as an AMG car. Of course, what is really exciting about this new Mercedes is what motor lies under the hood.

Mercedes-AMG SL 2022 Front Quarter View
via Daimler

Refreshingly for a new car, this isn’t a hybrid or fully electric vehicle. Under the hood of the SL, in the United States at least, is a twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V8 engine that offers up 469 hp in base model SL 55 trim, whilst the hotter, more powerful SL 63 edition offers up a rather hefty 577 hp, but both figures are more than enough for everyday use. That power is mated to an all-wheel-drive system, the 4Matic+ variety, and all of that power is harnessed by the driver thanks to a nine-speed automatic transmission that comes with launch control.

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Bolder And More Aggressive Looks

Mercedes-AMG SL 2022 Front Studio View
via Daimler

The looks department was definitely where the last generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL fell a bit flat. But this latest AMG version does seem to have righted those wrongs. Design is of course subjective, but the car has some quite smooth lines with some pleasingly short overhangs, some slim and digital headlights that sit at the front of a long, sleek bonnet with the windscreen angled pretty sharply. The latest SL is the work of the Mercedes California Design Studio, and they have done a fantastic job at bringing the car into the 2020s.

Mercedes-AMG SL 2022 Grey And Red With Softop
via Daimler

The new AMG SL also has a soft-top which brings it much more in line with those generations before it. Philipp Schiemer, Mercedes-AMG’s chairman of the board openly said to Top Gear that they wanted to “new SL to return to its origins” and that has clearly been fulfilled. Going back to the engines briefly, there will be a hybrid and fully electric version of the SL coming in due course, but Mercedes is not looking to bring an EQ SL version out anytime soon, if at all. The fact that it has initially launched with just a V8 engine is simply refreshing in these EV times.

An Interior Full Of Luxury

Mercedes-AMG SL 2022 Interior View
via Daimler

Step inside the Mercedes-AMG SL and we are greeted by one of the finest interiors to feature in a Mercedes for some time. The interior was first revealed back in July and it is a four-seat, leather-lined masterpiece. The SL uses the MBUX infotainment system, the latest and greatest of course, with a large portrait-oriented display which isn’t quite the norm these days. It is an 11.9-inch display and is a touchscreen, and can tilt forward for ease of use. That is sat with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a HUD with augmented reality. And of course, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come with the infotainment system.

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A New SL For A New Generation

Mercedes-AMG SL 2022 Rear Quarter View
via Daimler

From the looks of it, Mercedes have knocked it out of the park. There was a great danger that the SL was going to disappear for good, with the GT Roadster possibly taking over its place in the Mercedes lineup for good. The brand needed to get a wriggle on if it was to revive its fortunes, and it looks like the linkup with AMG was just what the SL needed to become a new car for a new generation. No pricing has yet been revealed for the car, but that will no doubt come in due course as it inches closer to delivery and release.

Source: Daimler/Mercedes-Benz