Weekend Drive Mercedes AMD SL55 One Piece: In search of the One Piece

For most people, the biggest problem with the last generation SL was the way it looked.

- KENNY YEO

01 MERCEDES-AMG SL55 4MATIC+

The SL is supposed to be Mercedes-Benz’s flagship convertible, but the old model didn’t look like one. It lacked the aggression and elegance of its forebears and some occasionally mistook it for an SLK. Thankfully, the latest SL solves that.

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder but most people I showed the SL to said it’s a knockout, whether it’s with its roof up or down. Its long bonnet, sharp nose, and wide hips and shoulders, and classic sports car stance certainly help. Looks good in Sun Yellow too.

Codenamed R232, the newest SL brings about many changes. It’s now a full AMG product and is actually closely related to the new AMG GT. And unlike its predecessors, it has all-wheel drive and rear seats for some added practicality. And to save weight, Mercedes has gone back to a fabric roof. Clearly, Mercedes has had a very thorough rethink of what the SL is and means to the brand.

Three variants will be offered at launch beginning with the SL43, then the SL55 and SL63. The entry-level SL43 gets the same 4-cylinder turbocharged unit that powers the A45 hot hatch, while the SL55 and SL63 are powered by AMG’s signature 4-litre twinturbo V8 units. For now, only the SL43 and SL55 will be available in Singapore, and the one I’m testing is the more powerful latter.