Road Test: Mercedes-AMG SL43
The entry-level Mercedes-AMG SL now boasts a 4-cylinder engine and a £100,000+ price tag. Is it worth the money?
WORDS: Mark Rose | PHOTOS: Matt Price
I remember a time when the £100,000 price point for a car was treated as sacred. It was a psychological barrier that acted as a dividing line between cars that were merely good, and ones that were a bit special. Of course, price and all the other factors that decide whether a vehicle is worth it haven’t always correlated, but the consensus was – and still is – that if it has a six figure price tag then it best bring that something extra.
On paper and at £108,000 the Mercedes-AMG SL43 appears to be the wrong side of our philosophical line in the sand, mainly because this entry-level AMG SL packs the turbocharged 2.0 litre 4-cylinder engine found in the A45 hot hatch. I understand the method in creating a gap between the 43 and its V8 powered siblings, but Mercedes also has a perfectly good 3.0 litre V6 laying around and previous six-cylinder SLs have proven excellent sports cars. And before anyone utters the words “fleet emissions” I’m sure the clever people in Stuttgart could have found a way round that issue if the desire was there to do it.
So, is this an example of downsizing taken a step too far, or are Merc on to something with an SL that should be lighter on its feet and crisper round the straight ahead? While a kerbweight of 1,810kg isn’t exactly lithe, when presented with a back road, the 43 does an impressive job of masking its weight thanks to a sharp front end and tight body control. Previous generations of the SL have typically been a little soft round the edges, but this one takes twists and turns in its stride with a surprising amount of fluidity. The ride, despite being a touch on the firm side, never comes undone when presented with large road undulations, and even in slippery conditions it commands strong traction. The steering also has a pleasing weight and lets you place the car with accuracy. It’s not the last word in driving dynamics, but it possesses a well-balanced, front engine rear-driven chassis that’s both surefooted and entertaining. I suspect the average SL driver is of a more mature age, which makes the 43’s big thrills low spills approach a well judged one.
Returning to the engine, and the four-pot is well endowed with 381bhp and 354lb ft. It cracks 62mph in 4.9 seconds and tops out at 171mph, so it’s no slouch, and because the torque comes in from just 3,000rpm, there’s plenty of mid-range shove to unleash as and when required. There’s also some electrical assistance at play thanks to a 48v mild hybrid system that reduces turbo lag at low revs. To say it feels outright fast is a stretch, but it’s certainly enough performance to entertain, and the nine-speed gearbox is smooth when left to its own devices but crisp when you take control manually. Engine sounds good, too. Of course, it’s not as pleasing to the ear as a V6 or a V8, but it’s one of the best sounding four-cylinders I’ve heard and it also makes some entertaining crackles from the exhaust.
In fact, my main gripe with the powertrain concerns the throttle response. There are Comfort, Sport and Sport+ driving modes, and for me, the throttle mapping in Comfort is far too lazy. There were a couple of occasions where I wanted to make a quick a getaway from a junction or roundabout, but ended up bailing at the last second because I couldn’t get power to the wheels quick enough to make my escape. In the sportier driving modes this problem disappears, but in most real world situations you’re not going to be using them which makes the need for some sharper response even greater.
As a sports car, the SL ticks most of the important boxes while also managing to retain a level of comfort that existing owners have come to expect. Is it exciting enough to tempt Porsche drivers out of their 911s? I don’t think so. However, does it represent enough of a step forward over the old, V6 powered SL400 for customers to consider upgrading? If you’re not hung up on the motor, then yes. Objectively, it’s a better car to drive than the old model and does a convincing job of walking the line between fun and refinement, so for anyone looking for an all-round roadster, the SL remains hard to ignore. Unfortunately, it rained for most of my time with it, but I did get a chance to drop the roof and that’s when the SL really came in to its own. It’s a pleasant roadster with a genuine turn of pace, but enough compliance to make countryside drives in the summer months a treat. To that end, Mercedes has nailed the SL’s brief.
The cabin is also a lovely place to spend time. The SL is now a 2+2 instead of a strict two seater, and with it comes additional practicality, but consider the rear seats suitable for carrying luggage as opposed to people. You might be able to wedge a small child back there, but kids grow quickly so they won’t be comfy for long. The front seats however, are very comfortable owing to their shape and the adjustment options on offer.
In terms of quality, this is a Mercedes so expectations are high. There’s plenty of leather and well-finished plastics, and the whole thing is put together really well. Is it an interior worthy of six figures? I’m not so sure, but it certainly isn’t far off and I do think that a splash of colour would lift the cabin, unlike our press car which was black throughout. And like most modern interiors, it could do with a few extra buttons. There are haptic touch pads on the steering wheel which I found fiddly, and for some seemingly illogical reason, the mechanism for the roof is now stowed away in the touchscreen. I know buttonless looks snazzy and modern, but Mercedes, the roof mechanism, really?
That aside, I liked the 12.3 inch display for the instrument binnacle and the 11.9 inch portrait touchscreen for the main infotainment system. They’re snappy to use, the graphics are sharp and the software is well thought out. The main display can actually be electrically adjusted between 12 and 32 degrees to help reduce screen reflections, which must be especially useful when the roof is off – shame I didn’t get much of a chance to try that out. This SL43 was also rocking a Burmester audio system which sounded excellent and, in my opinion, has some of the best speaker surrounds in any car.
As you can tell, I have many a positive word to say about the Mercedes-AMG SL 43. It’s a great car with a wide appeal, even if it has lost the character associated with a larger engine. But I won’t lie, I do wish this entry-level AMG model had the V6 engine found in some other Mercs, because if it did, I think it would have an easier time justifying its six-figure price tag. Like I said at the top of the review, for the money the SL 43 needs to bring that something extra, and whilst it’s a convincing package and a clear upgrade over the old car, it’s not quite special enough to justify the money being asked for it. More cylinders would certainly go some way toward fixing that.
Technical Specifications
Engine: 4-cylinder, turbo
Displacement: 1,991cc
Power: 382bhp @ 6,750rpm
Torque: 354lb ft @ 3,000rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto, RWD
0-62mph: 4.9 secs
VMAX: 171mph
Kerbweight: 1,810kg
Price: £108,165+
A good car that’s made less convincing by its price and powertrain. Merc needs to either install their V6 engine or price it more aggressively.
7/10
Verdict & Rating
“When presented with a back road, the 43 does an impressive job of masking its weight”
