The eighth-gen Mercedes-AMG SL is currently running winter tests in Sweden, and the manufacturer couldn’t resist showcasing how good it is in a series of ‘spy’ photos.
The topless ride is expected to arrive in a variety of versions ranging from the SL 43 with a 3.0-liter EQ Boost inline-six to the SL 73 with over 800 PS (789 hp / 588 kW) under the hood. It will trade its hard top for a soft one, become slightly smaller and finally take advantage of a 4Matic+ transmission with an option to go RWD.
In the meantime, however, the new roadster goes through rigorous testing on public roads and the Nürburgring. Mercedes says it draws inspiration from the iconic SL 300 Gullwing dating back to the 1950s. In fact, the abbreviation ‘SL’ stands for ‘sportiv und leicht’, which is German for ‘sporty and lightweight’. The original roadster used am M198 3.0-liter inline-six engine rated at 215 PS (212 hp / 158 kW) and 275 Nm (203 lb-ft) of torque. It needed 9.3 seconds to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) and maxed out at 263 km/h (163 mph).