Long review.
Full article here Mercedes-Benz R230 SL 63 AMG Roadster – Car Reviews, News & Advice - CarPoint Australia
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International Launch
Palm Springs, USA
What we liked
>> Clever transmission
>> Mega real-world performance
>> True sportscar drive and feel
Not so much
>> Needs its own body design
>> 'hot hatch' steering wheel doesn't suit
>> Race Start is gimmicky
OVERVIEW
How different is the SL 63 AMG from its Mercedes-Benz SL stablemates? Plenty different! And we're not just talking about the AMG-specific 6.2-litre V8 shoehormed under the bonnet.
The product of Mercedes-Benz's in-house go-fast division, the new uber-SL shares its basic structure, bodywork and occupant 'infrastructure' with Mercedes' premier roadster (more here), but underneath it is arguably the most differentiated AMG car yet.
In the words of AMG boss Volker Mornhinweg, the SL 63 is the "most AMG" car the company has built.
"Everything between the driver and the road has been delivered by AMG," Mornhinweg said matter-of-factly at the car's Palm Springs (USA) launch earlier this month.
And the head honcho has a point. The SL 63 AMG not only features a different engine from the standard SL, it also gets new steering gear, different suspension components and geometry, a new AMG-specific gearbox (that breaks ground beyond Benz), bespoke chassis electronics, bodywork changes and a whole new braking system. Even the steering wheel and pedals are different.
MECHANICAL
The SL 63 is the focus of this model update -- that was obvious from boss Mornhinweg's sentiments, through to the press material supplied by the AMG corporate comms team at the launch. There were SL 65s on hand, but it's the 63 everybody wanted to talk about.
Its engine is AMG's backbone powerplant -- the AMG designed and hand-built 32-valve DOHC 6208cc 90-degree petrol V8. Used in the lion's share of AMG models (even the new C63 compact sedan), in SL trim the engine pokes out a muscular 386kW (525hp) at 6800rpm and 630Nm at 5200rpm.
We've written plenty about this engine. It is essentially a scaled-up open-wheeler racing V8 and features an extra-rigid closed-deck crankcase design and motorcycle-style coated cylinder bores (there are no cast liners) for reasons of weight reduction, better cooling and lower internal friction. The valvetrain is designed for five-figure engine speeds and unharnessed (by transmission requirements) it would rev efficiently past an amazing 8000rpm -- and it's 6.2-litres!
That doesn't mean it's a peaky powerplant, however. AMG claims thanks to careful port design and highly developed fuelling and ignition strategies, the engine produces better than 500Nm from 2000-7000rpm. Look at the power curve and you'll see power builds in an absolutely linear fashion from around 180kW at 3000rpm (don't forget it's also got 560Nm at this point) to 360kW at 5500rpm before flattening slightly towards its peak.
While the engine's well-known, the SL 63 is the first appearance of AMG's latest transmission, the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT. It won't be the last!
SPEEDSHIFT MCT is a development of AMG (and Benz's) existing seven-speed automatic transmission, but it dumps the conventional torque converter set-up and replaces it with a computer-controlled wet multi-plate clutch. Lighter and more efficient, the clutch responds, well, like a conventional clutch and can therefore deliver faster gear changes and, perhaps more importantly, a crisper link between engine and the road.
Says AMG: "Thanks to its low rotational inertia, the transmission responds instantaneously and dynamically with no slip. Accelerator pedal movements trigger an instant traction response."
If you can forgive the marketing hyperbole, it's not far from the truth. You'll note in our drive impression below -- the 'box works pretty much as advertised.
The SPEEDSHIFT transmission offers four modes -- Comfort, Sport, Sport + and Manual. In Comfort, the gearshifts and accelerator response are softened and the set-up is pure conventional auto tranny in nature. Sport sharpens the engine and transmission interaction (shifts are 20 per cent fastest than C) delivering more revs and downshifts which "feel more spontaneous," says AMG.
Switching to Sport + reduces shift times another 20 per cent and enables a quite intuitive level of sharp 'pre-corner' downchanges. So configured, the car was rarely caught out on the challenging roads of the test route. That said, Manual is the hard charger's mode of choice and is quite a step forward for auto transmissions.
AMG claims at 100 milliseconds, the shifts are 50 per cent faster than Comfort mode. Indeed, in full attack driving, the SPEEDSHIFT's changes certainly approach the rapidity of the best automated manuals we've used -- yet in Comfort mode the 'box still delivers a silky (conventional) automatic cruise. And unlike a DSG 'box, the AMG 'box allows a kickdown shift from seventh down to fourth gear or from fifth to second for seemingly instant overtaking acceleration.
Throttle blipping is active in all modes except C. We found we were changing up and down just for the soundtrack. By the way, the SPEEDSHIFT MCT even includes a 'Race Start' -- check out our drive impression below for more.
It's not just the powertrain that's unique to the AMG SLs, the top-level Roadsters also get a bespoke version of Benz's Active Body Control (ABC) that the maker claims has "been further enhanced and not only comes with new spring and damper tuning but also completely modified elastokinematics".
In essence, AMG has sharpened-up the steering geometry and tightened up the bushes et al to deliver a more dynamic (read: livelier and more communicative) drive. The 63's front and rear suspension components have been worked over and there's a new linear-rate faster-ratio steering rack. The standard SLs get a fancy, but not an intuitive, variable ratio set-up.
The ABC suspension offers two settings: "a sporty, firm response with reduced roll angles" or a more comfort-focussed setting for day-to-day driving. We left the car is Sport for much of the drive.
The SL rolls on 19-inch wheels and sports a massively dimensioned, if conventional, brake system.
The 19-inch AMG alloys are a new triple-spoke design and feature both polished alloy and painted sections. Exclusively Pirelli rubber, the 255/35 section (front) and 285/30 (rear) tyres are fitted to the 8.5 and 9.5-inch-wide rims.
The brake system meantime features conventional floating cast iron rotors mounted on alloy disc centres. Up front there's drilled and ventilated 360 x 36mm rotors and six-piston calipers. The 330 x 26mm rears are gripped by four-piston units.
As you expect multi-function ABS antilock braking systems are featured.
Unlike previous generations of AMG, the SL follows the C63's lead by offering a true three-stage stability/traction control system. When you switch things off in the new SL, it's off... You've been warned!
Before you get to the 'idiot' setting, there's the default On and Sport settings. The Sport setting offers a fair degree of leeway to go silly, though to be frank, such are the levels of grip the 63 delivers, this setting is only going to be of real use on the racetrack.
Top speed on both the 63 and 65 is electronically limited to 250km/h -- unshackled the true Vmax for both would be on the far side of 300km/h. The 0-100km/h sprint takes 4.6 and 4.2sec respectively.
Range rather than fuel consumption will be most owners' concern -- at 13.9 and 15.1L/100km respectively, there's sufficient in the 80-litre tank for a Sunday drive. Get serious, however, and like any truly fast car there's big (consumption) numbers available for those who can afford it.
PACKAGING
Differentiation of the 63 in terms of styling doesn't do the powertrain justice. Such are the upgrades underneath, that this car deserves a significantly different look from its donor Benz roadster.
AMG has gone some of the way to carve out its turf. There's a more aggressive front apron which features what AMG describes as "a more pronounced arrow shape, black-painted radiator grille, larger cooling air intakes". The bonnet is also pumped a touch and the rear gets a diffuser-style apron with black-out treatment. Side skirts and rear lip spoiler complete the body kit and there's the requiste number of extra 'gills' and so on.
BiXenon lamps are standard on the AMG cars and the lenses feature dark surrounds. There are also bespoke mirrors and AMG badging -- of course. Those looking for more exterior differentiation will have to wait for the SL Black Series which is rumoured to get a new (fixed) roof design and integrated bootlid spoiler.
Inside it's all very SL familiar, though the driver gets a few extra goodies. The new flat-bottomed steering wheel is a touch too Golf GTI for this market but the alloy shift paddles have a wonderful custom feel to them. AMG has upgraded the instrument panel but only anoraks will notice -- serious punters might like the racetimer functions that have been added.
We liked the stitched leather dash top and the carbon-fibre console treatment which recalls the McLaren SLR interior to our mind. The AMG seats offer some extra location over the standard SL items.
Like the new SL, AIRSCARF neck-level heating system is new. Check out our recent review of the facelifted Mercedes-Benz SL range here for more on the car's signature folding hardtop and some of its more 'bread and butter' features.
SAFETY
Also like the standard SL the 63's safety levels are very high -- all the current state of the art passive safety systems including rollover protection, the latest generation of ABS functionality and Benz's latest ESP stability control are all standard.
The sheer competence of the AMG fettled car just adds to the dynamic aspects of the SL's safety armoury. It's not necessary to switch off the stability control to have fun -- and that's a plus.
COMPETITORS
The AMG SLs offer a rare blend of supercar performance and day-to-day practicality. There is only one other car that offers the same -- the Porsche 911. At the 63 and 65's level of performance the 911 Turbo (and GT2) is a more likely competitor than the conventional Carrera.
The 911 Turbo and Carrera S is available in a cabrio, though it's a soft rather than hard top. Both the coupe and cabrio Porsches are simply stunning cars.
More recently Aston Martin has started to make inroads on the 911 and SL's party and if you've got money to burn, brands like Bentley and Ferrari offer models that offer both performance and a modicum of practicality.
ON THE ROAD
Obviously the major chassis hard parts and interiors et al are shared between the SL 63 AMG and its Mercedes-Benz brethren, but it's there that the similarities end. From the moment you turn the key, the SL63 is a very different animal… And trust us, it is an animal.
Alive in your hands, the flat-bottomed thick-rimmed AMG steering wheel connects you with a front end that's as planted as any in the business. Eschewing the standard SL's variable rate steering rack, the 63's tiller is purely linear. Turn-in is sharp -- more in keeping with an 800kg car rather than one that is more than one tonne heavier.
There's a very occasional shimmy or shudder back through the wheel over sharp-edged bumps in corners when the car's loaded up and pushing on, but that's the sole vice we could break free. Anything more will need a racetrack to uncover.
The car's behaviour, grip and traction on the perfectly surfaced, perfectly cambered roads on the way to Idyllwild in the San Jacinto mountain's southwest of Palm Springs was, well, perfect... Even at the elevated pace we settled into the car was totally unfussed -- corners marked at 30mph could be carved at better than twice the speed without a hint of untidiness or protestation from the excellent Pirelli P-Zero rubber.
According to AMG development boss, Tobias Moers, the Italian company has made big strides in its products of late. The latest 19-inch tyres on the SL63 are clearly the best he's used, the certified Nurburgring test driver says.
The sheer limits of the SL on such memorable tarmac weren't easy to even approach. When the occasional patch of anti-icing salt or grit was encountered and traction degraded, the ESP system would soothe your brow. No sweat -- even under the warm spring sunshine.
Tuning the SL 63 to your taste is almost literally at the turn of a dial. The four modes of the new AMG-only Speedsports transmission are accessed by a dial forward on the centre console. Adjusting the Active Body Control and dampers to sport setting is one push of one button, and likewise, selecting ESP Sport is one-touch.
In 'Sport +' mode the seven-speed automatic is wonderfully intuitive, changing down into corners with a satisfyingly sharp blip of the throttle. Acceleration was vivid out of the bends; the transmission setting ensuring you always had 3000rpm or more under your belt -- and better than 3000 revs to go!
The only fault we could find was the Sport + setting's reluctance to short shift into a higher gear once the twisties were put behind you. Hardly a fault -- it's an automatic transmission, not a mind reader.
Choose manual mode and the changes snap up or down in a fair approximation of a 'true' dual-clutch manual. There's some delay but frankly, it's nitpicking to suggest it will disappoint any buyer. In terms of sports automatic transmission they come no better.
There's even a launch control function that via sequence of stability control setting, pedal and shift paddle actions, allows you to perform a perfect start every time. The launch is fuss free without the wheelspin of BMW's equivalent function. We felt there was at least a half second delay, however, before the car moved off upon lifting the left foot from the brake (the system requires both feet to be used simultaneously). Such is the efficiency, says Benz, it yields sub 5sec 0-100km/h times each and every time.
The MCT7 Speedsports trannie lets the '63' powerplant show its very best. Few naturally-aspirated engines combine the 6204cc AMG V8's mix of real midrange torque and true high-rev power. We've waxed lyrical about this engine before, yet we're reluctant to gloss over the brilliance of the powerplant.
No, it doesn't have the torque of the supercharged '55' series V8, but it has a 6000rpm deep bucket of rocket fuel that still delivers instant shove, but builds in a much 'sportier' manner than the 'shock and awe' tactics of its predecessor. Simply the best!
The sporting ability of the SL 63 deceives you that it is a much smaller car. It's not, but perhaps it's only the brakes (and the amount of lane it needs on tight roads) that let you know otherwise. AMG has steered clear of carbon-ceramic brakes for its road cars and uses conventional cast iron rotors and big multi-piston calipers for the SL 63 AMG, and while the brakes stayed strong during our drive, the pedal travel was a touch longer than this tester world prefer.
We'll not regurgitate our thoughts on the 63's cabin here. Check out our review of the standard SLs for more. In Aussie spec you want for nothing in these cars.
Oh and while we're doling out qualifications, you'll note that there are no drive impressions of the SL 65 AMG here. Truth be known we passed up the opportunity to drive the car. Its 1000Nm 450kW engine is unchanged so we expect straightline performance to remain incomparable. With AMG's new steering set up there should be some benefits to its agility. That said the 63 is undoubtedly the true sporty SL.
When we interviewed Volker Mornhinweg back in January, the AMG boss talked about the change in AMG's focus -- from pure power to a better, more rounded and sporting drive. He talked then about upcoming models that would move the game on for the Mercedes go-fast division -- the SL 63 is the first of these models.
Such is the competence and alacrity of the SL 63 that we'd have no hesitation in saying that only the very best driver in a SLR McLaren, Porsche GT2 or other exotic would be able to shake the new 'standard' AMG-SL. The SL Black Edition that's just around the corner (see separate news story here) will make the theoretical difference a moot point.
While Benz's SL remains cruiser or GT focussed, more than pure sports, the AMG iteration is very much a sportscar -- and an uber-sportscar at that. As we noted above -- it's a very different animal -- different from its Benz brother, and different from AMGs of old...
Full article here Mercedes-Benz R230 SL 63 AMG Roadster – Car Reviews, News & Advice - CarPoint Australia
