It has been over a decade since the Indians roads has seen the presence of a new Mercedes-Benz SL. After 12 years, Mercedes-Benz will launch its new SL roadster in the SL55 AMG avatar which will be brought in as a CBU, just as the previous models. The estimated date of launch for the 7th-gen Mercedes-AMG SL55 is June 22, 2023. After the sale of the fifth-generation SL in 2012, the car was discontinued and India did not get to see the sixth-generation SL.
The new Mercedes-AMG SL is a sports car which has a feature of a fabric roof and 2+2 layout, similar to the previous iterations. The upcoming Mercedes-AMG SL55 will also be equipped with a four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering setup. It will be available in the AMG avatar only, no base petrol or diesel option. With the second-gen AMG GT due in the second half of this year, the SL might share its chassis, drive train and other key components. The Mercedes-AMG SL55 is evidently longer than the predecessors. It has gotten a long bonnet with a raked windshield. With features like aggressive and sleek headlamps with use of LED tech and signature grille with large air dams, the seventh-generation SL is set to excite automotive enthusiasts Indian market.
The Mercedes-AMG SL55 Roadster has a 4.0L, V8, bi-turbo engine that produces 469 HP at 5,500-6,500 rpm and delivers 699 Nm of torque at 2,250-4,500 rpm. The engine comes paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and can go from 0-60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. The AMG SL55 will technically replace and precede 3 previous models of Mercedes-Benz, namely, S-Class Cabriolet, AMG GT Roadster and the sixth-generation SL (the one that was not introduced in India). The car will be 21 kg lighter than the previous gen models because of the elimination of metal roof. The price of the upcoming AMG SL55 is expected to be around 1.5 crore (ex-showroom).
Drop tops are rare, and a fabric drop top is ever more rare. Mercedes-Benz should easily find buyers for this exotic when launched in India.
