(By Tom Lohnes) – The Mercedes-AMG SL is a fantastic car. With menacing looks, a beautiful interior equipped with a backseat, V8 power, and a convertible top, the SL is the quintessential GT car. Well, what if you wanted the SL without the price tag that will probably be around $125,000 base? Mercedes now allows you to have that,but you also have to chop the engine in half too. Worth it?
Called the SL43, this entry-level AMG roadster packs a tiny little engine. Sitting under the same ridiculously long hood as the other SLs, the 43 packs a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with a first-ever in a road car electric exhaust gas turbocharger. Don’t let the mere size of this engine deceive you though, because it produces a very healthy 381 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. For reference, that is 20 more horsepower than the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that powered the previous base model SL. Impressive stuff. This engine is linked to a 48-volt electric motor between the engine and 9-speed automatic transmission, and every SL43 will be RWD. If you want a 4Matic system, you’ll have to step up to the more powerful 55 and 63 models.
Although it definitely will not sound very good, the SL43 makes perfect sense for someone who just wants a Mercedes convertible with a nice interior. Sure, there are two cheaper offerings, but the SL is by far the best looking drop top in the lineup, and no matter what model you get, it comes with a hand-built engine and an AMG badge. The SL43 is quick too, hitting 60 in an estimated 4.9 seconds. Not bad for that heavy of a vehicle with a 4-pot under the hood. Also, with rising gas prices, fueling your 6-figure car will hurt your wallet less. That’s good, because the F1 technology that has made its way into the turbocharger may need quite a bit of maintenance.
Pricing for any SL model hasn’t been released yet, but expect the 43 to start at just a hair over $100,000, right in line with the Porsche 911. Also like the 911, there should be some models way north of $200,000. Don’t worry though, because the 4-cylinder equipped model will definitely not go that high.
