8th Gen Mercedes-AMG SL Unveiled
Mercedes-AMG wanted to show you its new SL Roadster, a 2+2 seater, testing its 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system at a private proving ground in Sweden near the Arctic Circle. In typical Mercedes fashion, they said it was as much a test of the Roadster’s convertible top as it was the all-wheel-drive system under these harsh conditions.
The eighth generation of the SL line is near the end of its evolution. While much of the work on the Roadster was said to have been done digitally, development driving remained crucial to getting it to its final form.
Since this is the first time 4Matic+ all-wheel drive is being offered on the SL, it was necessary to test it in the winter on snow. It will also be to put it through it paces at the world-renown Nürburgring racing circuit prior to its debut sometime later this year.
Mercedes-AMG was adamant about the new SL remaining true to its sports car heritage, and from the looks of it, I’d venture to say it would be a blast to road test down Mulholland Drive, on a long stretch of road in the Arizona desert, or along the Coast Highway in Monterey. However, if road tests remain in a somewhat limited format and I’m only given a few hours behind the wheel, I’ll no doubt make the most of that time and still come back with a thorough driving impression.
On March 12, 1952, this press release announced the first public appearance of the original Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, the SL being an abbreviation for super light, a car that went on to win races and the admiration of enthusiasts around the world.
[Images: Mercedes-Benz]
With a father who owned a dealership, I literally grew up in the business. After college, I worked for GM, Nissan and Mazda, writing articles for automotive enthusiast magazines as a side gig. I discovered you could make a living selling ad space at Four Wheeler magazine, before I moved on to selling TV for the National Hot Rod Association. After that, I started Roadhouse, a marketing, advertising and PR firm dedicated to the automotive, outdoor/apparel, and entertainment industries. Through the years, I continued writing, shooting, and editing. It keep things interesting.
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Ah, the Mercedes SL: - Super Light weight makes it incredibly fuel efficient. - Super Light weight makes it quicker (better power-to-weight ratio). - Super Light weight would make it an ideal candidate for conversion to a flying car. Automotive engineers are the best engineers - just ask Walt Whitman. "SINGING my days, Singing the great achievements of the present, Singing the strong light works of engineers" https://whitmanarchive.org/archive2/published/LG/1891/poems/239 This vehicle is light indeed - completely weight-optimized. Peak engineering. No improvements to be made anywhere. (Well, ok the starter battery seems a little heavy, but don't focus on that.)
Mitsubishi Eclipse. Copy. Paste. Change grille and emblems. Done.