KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz today introduced the new Mercedes-AMG SL 43 along with the A-Class line-up. Estimated price is RM1mil.
The roadster icon is now sportier, more luxurious and more attractive than ever before.
As the new entry-level model in the series, the SL 43 is the world's first series-produced vehicle to feature an electric exhaust gas turbocharger.
This technology comes directly from Formula 1, resolving the trade-off between a big supercharger with high peak power but slow response and a compact supercharger with a fast response but relatively low peak power.
The 2.0-litre engines produces 381hp/480Nm. It offers an additional short-term boost of 10 kW (14 hp) from the belt-driven starter generator (RSG) in certain driving situations.
The 0-100kph is achieved in 4.9s and top speed is 275kph.
A striking front end with AMG-specific radiator grille provides a glimpse of the SL's performance aspirations.
Elegant details such as flush-fitting door handles blend seamlessly into the appearance.
The defining features of the SL body design include the long wheelbase, the short overhangs, the long bonnet, the passenger compartment set further back with steeply raked windscreen, and the powerful rear end.
This results in the typical SL proportions. Opening and closing the three-layer fabric soft top in black takes about 15 seconds using the space-saving Z-fold, and is possible up to a speed of 60kph.
The SL 43 is equipped with Digital Light, sports suspension, and integrated, automatically extending rear wing.
The Driving Assistance Package and Parking package with reversing camera are also included.
The interior of the Mercedes-AMG SL 43 features a combination of analogue geometry and the digital world - known as "hyperanalogue".
This is exemplified by the fully digital instrument cluster, which is integrated into a three-dimensional visor.
The standard MBUX infotainment system offers a choice of several specific display styles and different modes.
The symmetrical instrument panel is designed as a wing and structured into an upper and lower section. The highlight are the four galvanised turbine nozzles.
Their surfaces merge into the instrument panel in the form of powerful power domes. The lower section of the instrument panel evolves fluidly from the centre console, seamlessly connecting the two elements.
Despite symmetry, the cockpit design creates a clear focus on the driver:
The high-resolution 12.3-inch LCD screen of the instrument cluster is not designed to be free-standing, but integrated into a high-tech visor that prevents reflections caused by sunlight.
In order to avoid disturbing light reflections caused by different sun positions when the soft top is open, the tilt of the touch screen on the centre console can also be electrically adjusted from 12 degrees to 32 degrees.
The interior of the SL 43 comes with head-up display, AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather, AMG steering wheel buttons, electrically adjustable luxury seats in a Nappa leather black, and AMG aluminium trim.
The car also gets MBUX augmented reality for navigation, and multicontour and climatised front seats.
As standard, the SL 43 is equipped with Sports suspension. The new SL is the first production vehicle ever from Mercedes-AMG to feature a multi-link front axle with five links arranged entirely within the rim.
This significantly improves the kinematics.
At the rear axle, a 5-link design likewise controls the wheels.
The Mercedes-AMG SL 43 offers a broad range of kit to customise the car. Customers can choose from sporty and dynamic to
luxuriously elegant themes.
Available are 12 paint finishes including the two exclusive SL colours - hyper blue metallic and Manufaktur monza grey magno.
