The new SL 55 from Mercedes AMG has been introduced in India, with prices beginning at Rs 2.35 crore (ex-showroom, India). The roadster, which is being imported as a CBU, has a 2+2 seating arrangement with a cloth roof.
In the global lineup of the German manufacturer, the SL, now in its seventh generation, officially replaces the S-Class cabriolet, the AMG GT Roadster, and the sixth-gen SL. It’s interesting to note that the SL also reinstates the ’55’ appellation for a Mercedes-AMG vehicle; the G55 SUV served as the final one until production ended in 2012.
The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 gasoline engine that powers the AMG SL 55 produces 476 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque. It is coupled to a 9-speed automated transmission, which uses Mercedes’ 4Matic+ system to distribute power to all four wheels. The SL 55 is advertised as having a top speed of 295kph and a 0-100kph time of 3.9 seconds. The SL also comes standard with rear axle steering.
The SL 55 roadster has increased by 88mm, 38mm, and 44mm in length, width, and height to 4,705mm, 1,915mm, and 1,359mm, respectively. For the new back seats, the wheelbase has also been expanded by 117mm, to 2,700mm.
The Panamericana front grille, angular LED headlights, tall bonnet with two power domes, heavily sloped windscreen, quad exhausts, and 20-inch alloy wheels as standard are just a few of the 2017 SL’s standout aesthetic features. Also available are larger 21-inch alloy wheels with a distinct design.
The new SL comes equipped with a triple-layer cloth roof for the first time since the fourth-generation SL. It is controlled by a switch on the central console or through the infotainment display, and it is claimed to weigh 21 kg less than the metal roof used by the previous generation. It takes 16 seconds to open or close and may be deployed at up to 60 kph. The fabric roof is available in three colours: Black, Dark red, and Grey.
The SL’s interior incorporates an 11.9-inch vertically oriented touchscreen that can be changed to sit at angles between 12deg and 32deg, following other Mercedes vehicles like the S-Class and C-Class. It features a variety of display options, including customised AMG and soft-top display modes, and runs the most recent version of Mercedes’ MBUX operating system. Behind the AMG twin-spoke steering wheel, a 12.3-inch LCD driver display and an optional heads-up display are combined with the touchscreen.
Customers can select from five interior upholstery options: black nappa leather and microfiber with red stitching, black nappa leather, sienna brown nappa leather, truffle brown nappa leather, and black nappa leather and microfiber with yellow stitching. Additionally, there are two inside trim options: carbon fibre and aluminium, as well as two seat options: AMG performance seats and AMG sports seats.
The Mercedes AMG SL 55 will compete in India against vehicles like the Lexus LC 500h ($2.43 million) and Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet ($2.18 million).
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