The SL 63 from Affalterbach is different. It comes with the AMG badge – oh and of course the performance enhancements that come with the badge! The SL 63 AMG is the latest addition to the AMG Roadster family, after the SLS AMG Roadster and the SLK 55 AMG . The dynamically distinctive AMG bodystyling comprises the front apron with large air dams, AMG-specific LED daytime running lamps and a lower cross strut in silver chrome. Helping you distinguish this AMG special is the new AMG radiator grille with a double blades in silver chrome, the side sill panels and the “V8 BITURBO” logos on the vent grilles with fins in silver chrome. At the rear, there is the AMG spoiler lip, the two chromed twin tailpipes of the AMG sports exhaust system and the diffuser-style rear apron with body-coloured insert.
The electrohydraulic roof is available with the MAGIC SKY CONTROL option that switches the transparency between dark/light at the push of a button.
Interior
The interior is distinguished by the AMG specific E-SELECT lever and the AMG DRIVE UNIT that are reminiscent of the bigger SLS AMG Roadster. Standard equipment includes AMG sports seats in single-tone or two-tone nappa leather with a unique V8 seat upholstery layout and AMG badges in the seat backrests, a multicontour function and seat heating as well as AMG carbon-fibre trim, AMG illuminated door sill panels, ambient lighting and an IWC-design analogue clock. One of the stand-out details on the AMG performance steering wheel is the AMG logo in the lower metal insert. The AMG instrument cluster includes a TFT colour monitor, AMG start-up display, AMG main menu and RACETIMER.
Powertrain
The SL 63 AMG is available with a choice of two power outputs for the first time. The AMG 5.5-litre V8 ‘biturbo’ (twin-turbocharged) engine delivers 395 kW (537 hp) and 800 Nm of torque. If the AMG Performance package is specified, these figures rise to 415 kW (564 hp) and 900 Nm.
Twin turbocharged AMG 5.5-litre V8 'biturbo' in the SL 63 AMG
0 to 100 km/h is dispensed with in 4.3 or 4.2 seconds, speeds of 200 km/h are achieved in 12.9 or 12.6 seconds depending on whether you opt for the AMG Performance package. Electronically limited top speed is 250 km/h which increases to 300 km/h with the AMG Performance package on board. Fuel efficiency is claimed to be 30% better than the predecessor, with a figure of 10.1 kpl.
The V8 powerplant codenamed M 157 features a combination of innovative high-tech components for high power output and relatively low fuel consumption. In addition to spray-guided direct petrol injection, the engine also has an all-aluminium crankcase, twin turbochargers, four valves per cylinder with camshaft adjustment, air/water intercooling, alternator management and an ECO start/stop function. The weight-optimised AMG sports exhaust system with two chromed twin tailpipes produces a distinctive engine sound.
Lightweight Construction
As with the SL 63 and AMG’s own SLS AMG, the SL 63 AMG uses a lightweight aluminium bodyshell which makes it 125 kgs lighter than its predecessors. The kerb weight of the SL 63 AMG is pegged at 1845 kilograms.
Intelligent lightweight construction also means that the components have been optimised for their function. Aluminium sheets are used in varying thickness, and castings are now processed as extruded sections. The result is high rigidity, high safety and improved vibration characteristics. For the cover behind the fuel tank, the designers use even lighter magnesium material in some cases. High-strength steel tubes are integrated into the A-pillars for safety reasons. The boot lid ‘s inner support is made from lightweight carbon-fibre composite. The extremely rigid carbon-fibre component is bonded to the plastic outer shell, resulting in a weight saving of five kilograms compared to a conventional boot lid!
Suspension
The steering knuckles and spring links on the 4-link front suspension and almost all of the multi-link independent rear suspension components are made of aluminium. The reduction in unsprung masses enhances both agility and the response of the spring and damper components.
The new SL 63 AMG is equipped with an enhanced version of the AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control as standard. The Sport mode dishes out exceptionally sporty characteristics with reduced roll angles and firm body damping whereas the Comfort mode allows more comfort-oriented settings. The SL 63 AMG has more negative camber all round and fully revised elastokinematics for better agility.
The new, electro-mechanical AMG speed-sensitive sports steering, the flagship AMG model translates to exceptional feedback at the critical limits. The steering has a constant and more direct ratio, and variable power assistance which adjusts in line with the suspension settings. 3‑stage ESP® is available that is exclusive to AMG with “SPORT Handling” and there’s also the AMG rear axle differential lock and AMG performance suspension from the AMG Performance Studio.
Transmission
AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission has four modes to select from: “C” (Controlled Efficiency), “S” (Sport), “S+” (Sport plus) and “M” (Manual).
In “C” mode, the ECO start/stop function is active at all times and switches off the eight-cylinder engine when the vehicle is at a standstill. The gear changes are early, and smooth. Second gear is generally used as the starting gear in this mode.
The engine and transmission are far more agile in “S”, “S+” and “M” mode; in addition, the stop/start function is deactivated. Mercedes AMG says faster gearshifts have achieved by partial suppression of the cylinders, explained further as ‘briefly and precisely interrupting ignition and injection under full load’. AMG says this also translates to fantastic engine sound. An automatic double-declutching function for downshifting and the RACE START function are also included as standard with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission.
Newly developed AMG high-performance compound brake system features 390 x 36 mm compound discs with six-piston fixed callipers at the front and 360 x 26 mm integral discs with single-piston floating callipers at the rear. An electric parking brake is fitted as standard, while options available from the AMG Performance Studio include red-painted callipers. Ceramic braking system is also available as an option.
Five-twin-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels painted titanium grey with a high-sheen finish, shod with 255/35 R 19 front and 285/30 R 19 rear tyres are standard. Also available are the multi-spoke AMG forged wheels from the AMG Performance Studio with 255/35 R 19 front and 285/30 R 20 rear tyres – also available in matt black including a rim flange with a high-sheen finish – helping reduce the unsprung mass.
The new Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG will be launched in May 2012
