Mercedes-AMG SL63 4MATIC+ Cabriolet Drops Its Top Locally

This AMG SL63 could see the breeze go through your hair over here from a cool RM 1.9 million. 

Adding a bit of sleekness to all the massive SUVs today at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s Luxury Like No Other event was to be this svelte AMG SL63 4MATIC+. This V8-powered drop top lands locally as the sportier sibling to the existing four-pot 43 variant, but the doubling of its cylinder count has also nearly doubled its base price to an cool RM 1,898,888 (before personalisation). 

Now under the hood of the AMG SL 63 4MATIC+ the usual AMG 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, that sends its power to all four wheels via a wet-clutch AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission. Mercedes-Benz has touted that this engine is hand-built according to the “One Man, One Engine” principle in Affalterbach, but perhaps what is more important here is that its 585 hp and 800 Nm output is a whole 204 hp and 320 Nm more than what its 43 counterpart is churning out from its single-snail four-banger. 

Rather interestingly too, Mercedes-AMG has elected not to pair the SL63’s V8 with the 48 V mild hybrid system as it has done with the G63 and GLE63 (one suspects as to not outshine the current PHEV SL63 E Performance flagship). Though even without the added electrified boost, this roadster can still rocket from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds, before eventually topping out 315 km/h.

Making its debut on the SL63 is standard active rear-axle steering, while the AMG Active Ride Control system with active hydraulic anti-roll stabilisation replaces conventional mechanical anti-roll bars. This AMG-fied drop top also nets a few other AMG performance goodies as well, like an AMG  high-performance composite braking system with new composite brake discs, an electronic AMG rear axle locking differential, dynamic AMG engine mounts and an additional “RACE” drive program on its driving mode selection menu.

Differentiating the SL63 from its 43 sibling are to be a more aggressive set of front and rear bumpers, with its voluminously sculpted wheel arches also to be hiding a set of black-painted 21-inch AMG 10-twin-spoke forged wheels and yellow-painted AMG brake callipers. Officially imported versions of this drop top to Malaysia will also come as standard with the AMG Night Package II and AMG Exterior Carbon Package, for that added bit sporty flair on this sports car. 

Worth highlighting here too perhaps is that this current iteration of SL departs from its two-decade long tradition and has went back to a soft top, which opens in 15 seconds and is operable up to 60 km/h. And the ditching of its more unwieldy folding metal roof for a cloth one thus sees for this typically two-seater now having returned to being a 2+2 as well (though to squeeze anyone with any meaningful legs in those rear seats is likely against the Geneva convention). 

If taking Mercedes-Benz at their word, the interior of the new AMG SL63 4MATIC+ transforms the tradition of the first 300SL Roadster into the modern era. Among its cabin highlights here include AMG Performance seats upholstered in nappa leather, an AMG Performance steering wheel, an 11-speaker 650 W Burmester surround sound system with Dolby Atmos, a full-colour heads up display, Airscarf and an 11.9-inch portrait central touchscreen running the latest MBUX with AMG-specific content and Interior Assistant. 

The new AMG SL63 4MATIC+ additionally comes with Driving Assistance Package for partially automated driving, including among other things DISTRONIC Active Distance Assist, Active Steering Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist. The Parking Package with a 360° surround view camera, HANDS-FREE ACCESS, GUARD 360° Vehicle Protection Plus and USB Package Plus is also standard.

To those who want to witness this SL63 for themselves, it is currently on public display at Mercedes-Benz’s Luxury Like No Other event taking place from November 5 to 10 at the Autohaus showroom in Mutiara Damansara. This sporty drop top will be on show alongside the G63 4×4, as well as the GLE63 S, GLE63 S Coupe, GLC43 Coupe and GLC 350e Coupe.

The Mercedes-AMG SL63 4MATIC+ at a glance: