The SL-Class is one of the most beautiful cars in Mercedes’ lineup this side of the SLS AMG, and the SL 63 AMG and SL 65 AMG models are even more impressive yet. Unfortunately, their respective price tags of £110,785 ($172,292) and £168,285 ($261,716) in the UK make them pretty much out of reach for the average SL-Class buyer.
Well, if you can handle having most of the AMG show but only a tiny bit of its go on the 2013 SL-Class, then you will be thrilled with Mercedes’ latest announcement. Mercedes-Benz is releasing an AMG Sport variant of the 2013 SL-Class that buyers can base on either the SL 350 or SL 500 at a fraction of the “real” AMG’s price.
Much like the M Sport packages from Bimmer, the AMG Sport package is almost solely aesthetic, but there are a few small mechanical and handling updates to help out some.
From the outside, you may very well think that you are looking at a real AMG model, but you’d be mistaken. This SL-Class AMG Sport features the full exterior AMG Sports package, which includes: stylized side skirts; AMG-style front and rear aprons; and a trunk-mounted lip spoiler.
Buyers can choose from six standard colors – one non-metallic and five metallic – and two optional colors, one of which is Hyacinth Red and it carries a £690 ($1,073) premium. At the corners, the SL is also given a set of 19-inch AMG five-spoke wheels make the kit even more convincing.
Interior
Inside the cabin, the AMG Sports package adds in a slew of new features, including: new perforated leather seats with vertical fluting; Platinum White Pearl piping on the door-mounted armrests, center console, seat bolsters; and headrests; a sport steering wheel with silver paddle shifters; perforated leather-wrapped shifter and other “grip areas;” checkered-flag-design instrument panel; AMG floor mats; and a black fabric headliner to cap it all off.
As for interior colors, the SL-Class AMG Sport comes standard in black, but buyers can opt for Bengal Red or Porcelain nappa leather for an additional £710 ($1,104). For trimming, the SL-Class AMG Sport comes standard with Light Brushed Aluminum trimming, but for an extra £345 ($536), buyers can opt for Black Ash Wood trimming.
The other standard features are based on whether buyers choose to base this package on the SL 350 or SL 500 model.
Unfortunately, Mercedes has yet to release any images showing the interior.
Drivetrain
Because this package is based on the SL 350 and SL 500 models and there are no real mechanical updates, buyers get the SL 350’s 306-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 or the SL 500’s 435-horsepower 4.7-liter V-8. Hooking the engine to the rear wheels is the standard 7G-Tronic Plus transmission, but it features modified shift points for better response and performance.
Suspension and Brakes
A new sport suspension system comes with the SL-Class AMG Sport. This system features revised damper settings and a 10 mm (0.39-inch) lower ride height. If the base model is the SL 350, buyers also get an upgraded brake system that includes perforated rear rotors and grey brake calipers.
Pricing and Availability
The SL 350 AMG Sport comes in at a reasonable £69,960 ($108,801) OTR and the SL 500 AMG Sport comes in at £79,970 ($124,369) OTR. Both packages will be available to order starting in June 2013.
