By Otsile Kadiege

A few months ago Mercedes-AMG took the veils off their new SL roadster which is powered by a V8 engine. The automaker has now unveiled a less powerful and attainable version of the legendary nameplate – the SL 43. The new Mercedes-AMG SL 43 has subtle distinguishing features in the exterior design, it shares similar technologies and a newly developed chassis to name a few.

Performance

Straight off the bat, the SL 43 is powered by a transversely aligned M139 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine that’s paired to a multi-clutch 9-speed automatic transmission and a 48-volt on-board electrical system. The powerplant develops 280kW/480Nm and an extra momentary 10kW thanks to an overboost function. Mercedes-AMG claims the SL 43 will sprint from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and has a top speed of 275 km/h.

As standard, the SL 43 is equipped with a newly developed AMG Ride Control steel suspension with aluminium shock absorbers and lightweight coil springs. The new SL is the first production vehicle ever from Mercedes-AMG to feature a multi-link front axle with five links arranged entirely within the rim. At the rear axle, a 5-link design likewise controls the wheels. Adaptive adjustable damping and active rear-axle steering are available as optional extras for the SL 43.

Stopping power is taken care of by newly developed lightweight AMG high-performance composite brake system which are said to guarantee excellent deceleration values and precise control.

Exterior design

Outside, the 2+2 soft top SL 43 differs in individual details from the two eight-cylinder models. For example, it has differentiated front and rear aprons as well as round instead of angular double tailpipe trim. The defining features of the SL body design include the long wheelbase, the short overhangs, the long bonnet, the passenger compartment set further back with steeply raked windscreen, and the aggressive-looking rear end.

They give the roadster its powerful, dynamic appearance – together with the voluminously modelled wheel arches and the large light-alloy wheels that are flush with the outer skin. The SL 43 runs on 19-inch light-alloy wheels as standard. In addition, the same range as for the eight-cylinder models is available as an option: aerodynamically optimised light-alloy wheels with diameters of 20 or 21 inches, which reduce air resistance through low turbulence. Particularly sophisticated are 20-inch wheels with plastic aero rings that save additional weight.

Interior design and technology

Inside, the new SL 43 is equipped as standard with a wide range of electrically and manually adjustable luxury seats in a combination of Artico man-made leather and fabric. Seat covers in leather, Nappa leather and Nappa AMG leather are optionally available, as are AMG sports seats and AMG Performance seats with their sculptural design. Optional upholstery includes Manufaktur macchiato beige/titanium grey or in Manufaktur truffle brown/black. The AMG Performance seats can also be upholstered in a combination of Nappa leather and Dinamica microfibre with yellow or red decorative topstitching.

As standard, the entry-level SL features a large portrait style touch display which can be electrically adjusted from 12 degrees to 32 degrees. Its infotainment system is Mercedes-Benz’s latest MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) with AMG-specific menus. It’s flanked by a high-resolution 12.3-inch LCD screen for the digital instrument cluster.

Mercedes-Benz South Africa is yet to confirm the pricing and local availability of the new Mercedes-AMG SL range.