Since the start of the last decade, we’ve had the opportunity to witness great vehicles packed with enough innovative features and performance setup. Technology has also played a huge part in the popularity of vehicles in this age, regardless of their types, further proving that technology has impacted almost everything that is in existence in the world today. If you’re wondering why the automotive industry is enjoying massive success today, don’t forget to consider the consistent effort giant automakers like Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, and Land Rover among many others have put in. If the popular saying “no success without sacrifices” is anything to go by, then you can connect the dots on why these brands are enjoying massive success on the market today, raking millions of dollars annually from the sales of their vehicles.
The fact that Mercedes chooses “a legend reborn” as the tagline for the 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL Roadster shows just how much the brand believes the roadster would take the whole automotive industry forward. Even by producing a vehicle as beautiful and popular as the 2022 SL Roadster, the Mercedes brand still believes that the journey is just beginning, with promises of better models of this vehicle as years roll by. The vehicle, when released, will be one of the most anticipated Mercedes vehicles in recent years as it will take the center stage later this year. Its architecture will be different from anything we’ve ever seen with the previous SL Roadsters. The vehicle will come with an aluminum space frame that has a self-supporting structure to give the roadster a sustainable body that will complement its performance stats, including top speed. The chassis of the vehicle will also sport an intelligent material composition with a considerable amount of aluminum content and new fiber elements. Summarily, the body is built to enable high comfort as well as sporty body proportions and precise driving dynamics.
Mercedes decided to make this masterpiece without taking a single component from the previous SL models or even similar models like the GT. This way, it’s safe to say this is the most unique SL Roadster ever made by Mercedes-AMG. Mercedes claims that inspiration went as far back as 1952 when the first SL – also known as the Gullwing – was first conceptualized on a blank sheet. We can’t stress enough how the 2022 SL Roadster is made with fine materials that make the vehicle one of the most beautiful roadsters in the world today. People investing in the vehicle will also have access to a completely redesigned interior that features a 2+2 seating configuration which is the first time that will be happening since 1989. This means that buyers will not enjoy a more spacious and versatile interior which they’ll get to enjoy more than any other SL models created in the past.
Also, this is the first SL that’ll be sporting the all-wheel drive, a feat Mercedes-AMG hadn’t quite achieved with the SL until this recent production. What used to be a 2-seat convertible has now been turned into a more spacious vehicle with a twin-turbo V8 engine running under the hood to start with.
Interior Features
You expect a luxury convertible like the 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL Roadster to boast mouthwatering interior features, and, boy, that’s what you’ll get when you decide to put your money on this masterpiece. For a minute, let’s forget that Mercedes hasn’t decided to call the vehicle’s interior “hyper analog” because of the entirely digital dash. The roadster’s buttons and screens show that the vehicle is far from boasting a hyper analog interior. The 2022 SL features sports seats that have heating, ventilation, and an Airscarf system that helps get rid of warm air from outlets that are in the headrests. The Airscarf system is often found in high-end convertibles which is the category you’ll put the 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL, although its price tag might point otherwise. The system helps keep passengers’ upper torsos as well as ears and necks warm on a cold day.
What’s most amazing about the vehicle’s interior is that Mercedes has introduced a 2+2 seating for the SL for the first time since 1989. This means that there’s enough room for two more passengers at the rear seats which was impossible with the vehicle’s previous models. Undeniably, it’s not the most spacious roadster on the market, but this is a huge improvement for those who have always wanted that extra space to accommodate more passengers in the SL. When the rear seats are not in use, the removable wind deflector can be activated. Thankfully, you can always get more with the SL as you can replace the default buckets with AMG Performance seats which have integrated head restraints. They provide better lateral support according to Mercedes, and you can also enjoy adaptive bolsters that automatically tighten when different driving modes are activated.
Exterior Features
We would be disappointed if the 2022 SL wasn’t packed with the right exterior features. The fact that the vehicle shares no parts with its predecessor or similar models shows how unique Mercedes tried to make it, and the brand successfully achieved that. Top brands always look to improve on their old vehicles when creating new ones, taking as much as they can from the old ones. That is not the same with the 2022 SL as it was made as unique as Mercedes could possibly try. Even with the top, the 2022 SL still manages to look good. The top has a 3-layer design coupled with an acoustic mat and a compact design that makes storage very possible without an obvious top cover. The vehicle’s wheels are shoved outward a little bit to make them complement the rest of the outer bodywork, which is quite exciting.
All it takes for the top to open or close is 15 seconds which can be done when the vehicle is speeding up to 37 mph. The 2022 SL also comes with active aerodynamics that help reduce drag and lift, responsible for the vehicle’s outstanding drag coefficient of Cd 0.31, a perfect number for a convertible.
Performance
To make things clearer for those who are not so aware of the available SL versions for the 2022 model year, the vehicle is available in two versions – the SL 55 and SL 63, both of which run on an AMG twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, although they have different power outputs. While both versions are mated to an AMG 9-speed MCT automated manual transmission that comes with a wet start-off clutch, the SL 55 manages to crank out 469 horsepower and 516lb-ft of torque while the powerful SL 63 delivers 577 horsepower and 590lb-ft of torque. The SL 55 can race up to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds while the more powerful SL 63 only takes 3.5 seconds to accelerate up to 60 mph.
If you invest in this vehicle, you can customize some of its behavior such as exhaust sound, transmission shifts, throttle response, steering response, and many more – thanks to its six driving modes that include Race, Slippery, Sport+, Individual, Sport, and Comfort. Since it’s the first SL that’ll come with AWD, you should expect the torque vectoring to help shift torque to the wheels and axles that need it most to improve both traction and handling. The vehicle’s AWD system also responds to different driving mode changes, although some functions may not be active while you activate the Race or Sport+ modes.
Safety Features
Nobody likes to drive a vehicle they don’t feel safe driving. Over the past few years, automakers have tried to focus more on making several advanced safety features available to their buyers, and that’s exactly what Mercedes has done with the new SL Roadster. With performance stats going over the roof for a vehicle in its class, you expect some of the most advanced safety features to be packed with the 2022 SL. Some of the vehicle’s safety features include;
- Exit Warning
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Rear Cross-traffic Alert
- Forward-collision Warning
- Driver-attention Monitoring
- Lane-keeping Assistance
- Blind-spot Warning
- Lane-change Assistance
- Active Steering Assist.
Infotainment
All the new SL models feature the company’s new MBUX infotainment system with a virtual assistant named “Hey Mercedes.” Users will also get to enjoy the large 11.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display that is adjustable to match the driver’s preference. Some of the other infotainment features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Controls, Bluetooth, 12.3-inch Configurable LCD, and many more. The new SL models feature a Burmester stereo system which you can upgrade to a surround-sound version if you happen to own the SL 63, the most powerful SL version for the 2022 model year.
Pricing
Estimated base price for the SL55 is set at $135,000 USD, while the SL63 is set at $175,000 USD.
