Soft on top

THE AMG-ENGINEERED SEVENTH-GENERATION SL REDISCOVERS THE FABRIC TOP, ADDS ALL-WHEEL DRIVE AND TOKEN REAR SEATS IN THE QUEST TO BE THE COMPLETE LUXO SPORTS-TOURER

- GEORG KACHER

SPECS

Model Mercedes-AMG SL55

Engine 3982cc V8 (90°), dohc, 32v, twin turbo

Max power 350kW @ 6250rpm

Max torque 700Nm @ 1750-4750rpm

Transmission 9-speed automatic

Economy 11.8L/100km

0-100km/h 3.9 sec (claimed)

Weight 1950kg (estimated)

Price $370,000 (estimated)

On sale 03 2022 (estimated)

EVERYONE IN THE US loves the new SL at first sight. Gary the graffiti artist in his ramshackle caravan perched on a hill near Desert Shores. The tanned retiree at the wheel of a bleached black S55. The poker-faced valet who made the $10 tip disappear like a seasoned casino croupier. The young surfer dude and his two nymphettes in San Clemente. The highway trooper who flagged us down at 55 in a 55mph zone just because she could. We also got loads of thumbs-up from hikers and bikers of all ages, the homeless Trumpists at Bombay Beach, and Sean the uniformed immigration officer from El Centro near the Mexican border who knew full well that the gleaming steel blue roadster was not Checo and Conchita's Trojan horse to the promised land.