Previewed: Mercedes-AMG SL 43 – 375 HP AMG Roadster, From RM1 Mill*

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has already ushered in a slew of new models this month alone, but the firm wants to keep the ball rolling. Previewed during the A-Class facelift launch yesterday was the all-new Mercedes-AMG SL 43 roadster.

The AMG SL 43 employs the same 2.0-litre turbocharged mill as the AMG A45 S superhatch

This AMG roadster model is powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbocharged M139 engine that is mated to a 48-volt mild hybrid setup (MHEV) to produce a total system output of 375 HP and 480 NM. With power sent to the rear wheels (RWD) via a nine-speed AMG Speedshift MCT 9G gearbox, the SL 43 is capable of reaching 100 KM/H in just 4.9 seconds. Flat out, this roadster can reach a V-max of up to 275 KM/H.

Other key mechanical bits available in the SL 43 includes the AMG high-performance compound brake system, as well as the AMG quad-piped exhaust system with AMG Real Performance Sound.

The SL 43 is unmistakably a proper AMG model

Visually, the AMG SL 43 is a stunning roadster to look at, primed with a slew of AMG parts and touches. Up front lies the AMG vertical front grille design that is flanked by the sharp AMG LED headlights with Digital Light illumination and Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus functionality. Crowning above said grille is the AMG’s signature Affalterbach emblem.

The AMG Exterior Chrome Package is a nice addition to the SL 43, indeed

More importantly, the SL 43 comes standard with the AMG Exterior Chrome Package, which grants it with a bevy of chromed parts. Highlights include the aforementioned front grille, front lip, side skirts, door handles, front fender accents, quad exhaust tips, rear bumper garnish, as well as the 21-inch AMG 10-twin-spoke forged wheels the car rides on.

Being a roadster, the SL 43 sports a fabric soft-top roof that is finished in black in this sample. Said roof can be opened in just 15 seconds and operable even when the car is moving as fast as 60 KM/H.

Though we can’t really get inside the car, at least the opened roof gave us a good glimpse of the SL 43’s on-board equipment. Key equipment included are the sizable MBUX infotainment display with fingerprint scanner, Burmester sound system, Nappa leather-wrapped AMG sport seats, and ambient lighting system. Drivers, on the other hand, get a sporty AMG steering wheel also wrapped in Nappa leather, as well as a head-up display to go with the car’s digital instrument cluster.

More importantly, this generation of the SL roadster gets a 2+2 seating configuration instead of the two-seater ones we’ve seen on the previous model. With space being a premium in this compact sportscar, we can truly say the back seats are best for children or to keep some extra cargo, should you find the small 240-litre rear boot space not enough for you.

2023 Mercedes-AMG SL 43 roadster

As we mentioned earlier, the SL 43 here is just a preview unit. As for its pricing, MBM has yet to finalise the price of the Mercedes-AMG SL 43 roadster, but the firm said its on-the-road price tag should be somewhere around the RM1 million mark. 

The firm also remained tight-lipped for the warranty package offered to this roadster, but we expect it would come with the MBM’s standard 4-year, unlimited mileage warranty coverage. Plus, orders and bookings for the AMG SL 43 will be done on an indent basis.

So folks, what do you think of this recently-previewed Mercedes-AMG SL 43 roadster? Keen to see this convertible model rolling down our local B-roads? Or would you prefer its peppier SL 55 or the V8-powered SL 63 twins? Hit the comments with your thoughts, then…