MERCEDES-AMG SL 43

Luxurious roadster ditches front driveshafts but also four cylinders

- ILLYA VERPRAET

TESTED 19.7.23, BEDFORDSHIRE ON SALE NOW

Yes, this is an SL with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. But it's a lot better than that sounds, and Mercedes has form with this sort of stuff, so stick with me.

The precedent is the 190 SL of 1954. Because the legendary 300 SL had a bespoke spaceframe chassis and a cutting-edge fuel-injected engine, it was furiously expensive. So to spread the roadster love, the 190 SL was derived from the Ponton saloon, given a slightly less pretty body and a 1.9-litre four. Despite its leisurely 105bhp, it was a hit.

Today's four-pot SL buyer has to accept far fewer compromises. Save for the round (rather than trapezoidal) tailpipes and slightly less aggressive bumpers, it looks the same as the V8-powered SL 55 and SL 63. Which, with its long bonnet, clean lines and big wheels, is pretty good indeed - to my eyes, at least.