2023 Mercedes-AMG SL 43 First Drive: Half an engine is gone. No drawback!

HELL, Mich. – The 2023 Mercedes-AMG SL 43 is the high-dollar luxurious convertible equal to the Mustang turbo vs. V8 debate. In different phrases, don’t rule out this four-cylinder Benz simply because it has half as many cylinders as its 55 and 63 siblings.

We’ve pushed these, and whereas largely impressed with what these convertibles have to supply, they certain aren’t picture-perfect. Enter the 43 with its longitudinally-mounted 2.0-liter turbocharged (to-the-moon) four-cylinder engine. What makes the 43 fascinating is much less about what’s in it, although, and extra about what isn’t – roughly 350 kilos of curb weight. That features all that’s eliminated by having two fewer pushed wheels – the V8-powered SLs are all-wheel-drive-only, whereas the 43 solely has rear-wheel drive. It additionally lacks the impossibly difficult energetic anti-roll stabilization system from the 63, as an alternative sticking to only passive-everything as customary gear.

The record goes on, however the important level right here is {that a} boatload of weight and complexity is faraway from the equation, leaving you with a extra simple driving expertise.

All that mentioned, there’s nothing extra complicated than the expertise AMG baked into the little engine up entrance. In an effort to keep off what we usually consult with as “turbo lag,” the engineers used an electrical exhaust fuel turbocharger. In layman’s phrases, which means there’s a tiny, 1.6-inch electrical motor built-in on the turbocharger shaft that will get the turbo spinning earlier than the exhaust gases be a part of the occasion and hold it spinning the old style method. The purpose is to make throttle response fast from idle or whereas driving after you’ve eliminated your foot from the throttle. That electrical motor, operated through the 48-volt onboard electrical system – can take over at a second’s discover and keep enhance stress always so that you by no means need to spin it again up. It’s an thought derived from Mercedes’ F1 engine tech, and now you should purchase it in a brand new automotive at this time. Neat!

Output for this hand-built AMG engine is a stout 375 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. That’s spectacular, however we are able to’t assist questioning whether or not a halo automotive just like the SL ought to have one thing lower than the CLA 45 S coming to the U.S. that makes 416 hp and 369 lb-ft. Maybe that quantity is just a bit too near the SL 55’s 469 ponies for Mercedes’ consolation. However, the SL 43 is claimed to run to 60 mph in simply 4.8 seconds utilizing launch management and prime out at an electronically restricted 170 mph. That’s 1.0 second slower than the 55 and 1.3 seconds behind the 63, however completely not sluggish and positively not dangerous for dropping half an engine.

In a giant plus for engagement, Mercedes sticks with its nine-speed multi-clutch transmission for shifting duties, supplying you with all of the snappy rawness of the transmission fitted to its V8 fashions. It’s the right pairing for this four-cylinder engine, as a result of brief ratios and fast paddle response are your folks when energy is briefly reserve. To not say there’s a scarcity of energy, as a result of the SL 43 will nonetheless briefly mild up the rear tires if you spring away from a stoplight. Simply ensure you faucet it into traction management sport mode earlier than doing so, as a result of the ESC system hates enjoyable with all the things switched on.

The four-cylinder-ness actually dominates the driving expertise in any respect ranges, even from the second you turn the automotive on. Its idle is tough and loud, nearly as if it’s lacking steadiness shafts on function to persuade you the engine is meaner and greater than it’s. Go away the exhaust in its quiet mode, and it makes little or no noise in any respect if you’re cruising or beneath mild acceleration. That fixed thrum of the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is missed right here, because it makes the SL ooze with a extra aggressive character. Get the revs up within the 43, although, and also you’ll rapidly study that this engine has its personal candy tune to play. The buzziness at low speeds drops away, and a candy, higher-pitched observe comes on within the higher rev ranges, encouraging the driving force to maintain pulling the following paddle and play it once more. It’s each racy and fast to appeal. Mercedes discovered the precise sound with this engine, as a result of regardless that it could be the identical dimension and have the identical variety of cylinders as sizzling hatches aplenty, it feels like a sports activities automotive at full chat.

And as for a way effectively that electrical turbocharger works, it does its job. Even for those who strive your greatest to induce lag by hopping off the throttle for a pair seconds earlier than totally stepping again into the precise pedal, the engine does in truth decide again up proper the place it left off. Response is speedy off the road, as effectively, bettering what’s on supply in different high-powered AMG four-cylinders. It nonetheless doesn’t have the free-revving, telepathic response of a high-strung naturally-aspirated engine, however this kind of response is rattling good for an enormous turbocharger on somewhat engine.

The lighter entrance finish is noticeable immediately, however don’t consider it as revolutionary for the SL. Mercedes doesn’t record a weight for U.S.-spec vehicles, however the 3,990-pound curb weight in Europe nonetheless makes this convertible a hefty boy. A happier-to-turn-in nature is a beautiful delight, although, and it makes the 43 much more pleasing on a winding street than its brethren with extra weight hanging off the entrance finish. Simply as Senior Editor James Riswick didn’t miss the 63’s energetic suspension bits in his first drive, I didn’t miss them within the SL 43 both. Its passive dampers break up the distinction between twisty street composure and poor-pavement compliance effectively, and for those who do need one thing extra superior, the 43 may be geared up with the 53’s much less complicated, however arguably extra agreeable AMG Experience Management adjustable and adaptive dampers. Actually, the one massive criticism that we’ll nonetheless lodge with this model of the SL, that may be utilized throughout the vary, is that it’s simply plain heavy.

In the event you had been hoping it being rear-drive as an alternative of all-wheel-drive would carry among the AMG GT magic again into the fold, scale back your expectations. The large, grippy tires hold the rear finish planted firmly on the straight and slim most often, making it much less tail-happy than you may anticipate. However maybe any disappointment is de facto brought on by the quantity of energy on faucet. Whereas 375 horses is an effective quantity and its 0-60 time is definitely not sluggish, all-out acceleration is nonetheless behind the tempo of vehicles just like the Jaguar F-Sort R Convertible, Porsche 911 Cabriolet and Chevrolet Corvette Convertible. The identical lack of shove applies to the Lexus LC 500 Convertible, however that automotive speaks to you in methods this four-cylinder AMG merely can not.

The rationale these comparables are related is as a result of this base SL 43 begins at $111,050 with our take a look at automotive hitting $120,985. You’re going to need to need all of the intangibles that the SL provides you exterior of its strong – however nonetheless middling within the class – efficiency to decide on it over rivals. Its design will simply flip each head on the block, and Mercedes nonetheless provides you quad suggestions (albeit spherical as an alternative of rectangular) with the four-cylinder. There isn’t an inside that’ll beat this one for pure luxurious and tech, as long as you will get previous the annoying touchscreen roof operation. And did I point out it seems good?

For these causes, it’s implausible to see the SL 43 right here in America. It broadens the SL’s enchantment with a extra playful chassis, rear-wheel drive and a smile-inducing four-cylinder at an enormous low cost – the most cost effective V8 mannequin begins at a towering $138,450. There’s even one thing for lovers to nerd out about with the electrical turbocharger. So don’t consider the SL 43 as second-fiddle to the V8 mannequin you actually need, as a result of this four-cylinder could be precisely the reply and bundle you’re on the lookout for.

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