With a 4,0-liter V8 and an electric motor delivering a combined 816 PS (805 hp / 600 kW) and 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb-ft) of torque, the new SL-Class flagship is the beefiest roadster the company has ever created. It is expected to go on sale priced from U.S. $200,000 or so, but the date remains unknown.
The petrol engine alone pumps out 612 PS (603 hp / 450 kW) and 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) of torque. A rear-axle motor contributes 204 PS (201 hp / 150 kW) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of its own. It makes use of a two-speed reduction gear and a mechanical LSD to direct most of the torque to the rear wheels, but can actually send some of the momentum to the front axle via the car’s AWD system. This comes in handy if the rear wheels slip, for example.
A 6.1-kWh traction battery benefits from liquid cooling, but runs out of juice after just 13 kilometers (8 miles) of all-electric range. The car needs 2.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) and tops out at 317 km/h (197 mph).
The drive mode selector offers as many as eight presets to switch between. Other than that, the base spec includes active suspension, rear-wheel steering and composite brakes. A pop-up trunk lid spoiler and a lower front splitter are optional. The splitter blade extends by a further 40 mm (1.6 inches) at 80 km/h (50 mph) and above to minimize upward forces.
Inside, the seats boast enhanced lateral support and can be optioned with integrated headrests and massagers. The MBUX infotainment also gets several new display modes in order to provide as much real-time powertrain info as possible.