Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the top-end SL 63 S E Performance with an 816-horsepower unit

The hybrid system of the German brand model is based on a gasoline 4.0-liter V8, which works in tandem with an electric motor located on the rear axle. The new product will appear on the European market next spring.

Mercedes-Benz has been producing the SL-Class sports car since 1954, over the past time this model has managed to change generations more than once. The current seventh generation (with the in-plant index R232) was presented in the fall of 2021. At the same time, the car, which was developed by the company's sports division, was renamed Mercedes-AMG SL. The basic version of the Mercedes-AMG SL 43 with a four-cylinder engine debuted in April 2022, and now it’s the turn of the top version of the model.

Pictured: Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance

Its role was played by the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance variant, which was equipped with a rechargeable hybrid power plant. It is based on a 4.0-liter twin-turbo eight of the M 177 series, but its output has been increased from 585 hp. (for “just” SL 63) up to 612 hp, maximum torque increased from 800 to 850 Nm. The engine works in tandem with a 204-horsepower electric motor (320 Nm) located on the rear axle.

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The total output of the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance system is 816 hp. and 1420 Nm of torque. In terms of power, it is second only to the four-door AMG GT S E Performance, the output of which is 843 hp. The sports car is equipped with a 4Matic all-wheel drive system and comes with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The top-end SL version takes 2.9 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60mph; by comparison, the regular SL 63 takes 3.6 seconds to complete this exercise. The maximum speed of the new product is 317 km/h.

The PHEV installation also includes a modest battery with a capacity of 6.1 kWh, it allows you to travel only 13 km without recharging in purely electric mode. The Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance has eight driving modes: Electric, Battery Hold, Comfort, Smoothness, Sport, Sport+, Race and a customizable Individual option.

Like the standard Mercedes-AMG SL 63, the S E Performance variant has steel springs, adaptive dampers, active anti-roll bars, In addition, the PHEV version's list of standard equipment includes carbon-ceramic brakes and bronze-colored calipers. The sports car received light alloy wheels with a diameter of 20 inches, for an additional fee – 21 inches.

In the photo: interior of the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance 1/2 In the photo: interior of the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance 2/2

SL 63 S E Performance is equipped with an active front spoiler: it extends down 40 mm at speeds over 80 km/h. It works in tandem with an active spoiler on the trunk lid (the company noted that its operation has been reconfigured taking into account the changed parameters of the PHEV version). The company has not declassified the weight of the new product, but it is obvious that this figure is higher than that of “just” SL 63 (1970 kg).

Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance will go on sale on the European market next spring. The German manufacturer has not yet announced prices. In the home market, purchasing a basic SL 43 roadster will cost 127,145 euros, the SL 55 option costs at least 166,736 euros, and the SL 63 version costs 194,654 euros.