Review: the 577bhp Mercedes-AMG SL63 in the UK

Someone having a mid-life-crisis?

That’s not for us to deliberate over. We’ve driven the facelifted Mercedes-AMG SL63 abroad, so now it’s time to figure out if it works in the UK.

So what’s the spec?

Beneath its long bonnet is a monster, twin-turbo AMG V8 packing 577bhp and 664lb ft of torque, matched up to a seven-speed AMG paddleshift gearbox and, naturally, rear-wheel drive.

The engine's not the new 4.0-litre AMG unit that’s deployed in the AMG GT supercar, rather the 5.5-litre V8 nutjob currently used in all the ‘big’ AMGs. Yep, even in AMG land, there’s big, and then there’s big.

You namechecked the AMG GT. Why would I buy an SL63 over that?

An extremely valid question, but then we imagine if you’re in the market for an SL, you’re not really looking at a GT. The stats are compelling, mind: both cost £114k and offer two seats, coupe refinement (the SL63 has a lovely folding hard-top) and a big, hearty V8.

The GT, though down on power, is faster, mainly because this SL63 weighs in at 1845kg. It’s also more nimble. And – to these eyes – better looking. And newer.

Um, so the SL63 is a bit redundant now?

Far from it. It’ll still go from 0-62mph in 4.1secs – which in any sane universe is bonkers-quick – and will do all the sharp dynamic stuff as you so desire.

It’ll happily devour your chosen route with ease, darting merrily this way and that, the steering weighting up reasonably well. And yet there’s this sense of aloofness about the thing that tells you it really just wants to cruise.

And boy, does it cruise.

Yeah?

Yeah. Because what you get with the SL is history. The badge is over 60 years old, and has established itself as the instrument of choice for the beautiful, affluent faces of this world. It’s also one of Merc’s most famous model nomenclatures.

It’s magnificently damped. The seats are bolstered, thick and hugely comfortable. Everything falls to hand easily. The driving position and view is great. It has a wonderful cabin. It rides very well over crap roads.

Roof up, you’re as good as in a coupe. Roof down, and you’re transported back into the glamour of the late fifties. There's an air of grace seemingly hewn into its very core.

It’s not like that fighty GT supercar at all; this is a dignified, grown up sort of performance, the kind you swoosh to movie premieres with, or go on pan-European jaunts to your favourite casino with. Just with that incredibly naughty AMG soundtrack and trinkets.

Such as?

Big boy AMG composite brakes, AMG sports exhaust and suspension, and the all-important ‘V8 BITURBO’ shouty lettering on the side. Our test car was also fitted with the optional 19in AMG wheels, lots of gloss black detailing over the aprons and diffusers, massaging, ventilated seats and a 600W Harman Kardon sound system which proved suitably operatic. Optioned so, it weighed in at a whisker under £125k.

Why should I pay for the AMG, when for cruising, the SL400 and SL500 are probably just as good?

Our tendency would be to opt for the SL500 – great name, great engine, more than enough power and all the SL trappings you’d need. Plus, some of the AMG bodystyling on the SL63 is a little uncouth for a big, luxury cruiser. Fussy, even.

But AMGs are great. And when you’re in this rarefied stratosphere of GT performance, and you simply must have a V8, you might as well just plump for the SL63. It’s a nicer car than the overkill-SL65 and its less charismatic V12, too.

And against its rivals?

It’s better looking and sharper than a Bentley Continental GT, and worlds away from the ageing Aston Martin DB9, though the Aston does pack a gorgeous-sounding V12 and looks no GT car can really match.

The new DB11, then? It’s pricier than this SL63, and in any case, we’ll have to drive it properly to find out. Jaguar’s new F-Type SVR is probably the SL63’s toughest foe if you seek pointy dynamics and soundtrack.

But we doubt it will do the cruising stuff this well. Regardless of where you sit on the mid-life crisis thing, the SL itself shows no signs of a mid-life paunch.