Dating back to 1955, the Mercedes 190 SL was the first and the last time we saw this luxury sports coupe with a four-cylinder engine after ending production in 1963. Now, 60-years later, the four-cylinder engine has returned boosting 4x more power and a mild-hybrid system.

Formidable Performance   

Upon a prolonged study of beautifully crafted lines, the AMG SL43 Roadster undeniably embodies the essence of a potent luxury sports coupe. Cloaked in the exquisite satin finish of Moonlight White Magno paint, accentuated by imposing 21-inch AMG black wheels, and crowned by a striking red soft-top roof, its visual allure is unmistakable. Yet, beneath its muscularly sculpted hood lies a surprising secret: a mere four cylinder engine. Despite this, the SL43 shares the commanding presence of its more powerful siblings, the 469-horsepower SL55 and the 577-horsepower SL63 variants. Leveraging its turbocharged engine and mild-hybrid boost assistance, the SL43 delivers a formidable 375 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, ensuring an exhilarating driving experience that belies its seemingly modest powertrain.  

In terms of performance, the SL43 remains a formidable roadster. While it may not match the lightning-quick acceleration of the 3-second SL63, its 0-60 mph time of just over 4.5 seconds certainly doesn’t leave it trailing too far behind. Distinguishing itself as the sole rear-wheel-drive option among its counterparts, it eagerly craves the open road, eager to unleash the potential of its 9-speed AMG automatic transmission. Engaging Sport mode and activating the AMG exhaust to its most aggressive setting, the 43 emits a spirited bark, reminiscent of an irate chihuahua, punctuated by the subtle growl of gear changes. 

Pros: Excellent fuel economy (As tested: 32-MPG Highway/26-MPG combined – EPA Rating: 21-city/27-hwy/23-combined), eager engine performance, fantastic chassis refinement 

Regrettably, achieving such aspirations with the SL43 seems unattainable. Amidst the bustle of everyday routines, the SL43 gives off an impression of frustration. In its default Comfort drive mode, the exhaust emits a sound reminiscent of an aftermarket modification one might find on a teenager’s Honda Civic, albeit somewhat uncouth. Additionally, the nine-speed automatic, operating as a dual-clutch system, exhibits twitchiness and jerks, particularly in low-speed traffic situations, occasionally giving the impression it might stall. The hope that activating the sport mode could alleviate these issues only served to exacerbate our concerns as it intensified the vehicle’s aggression.  

Unleashing Freedom

Here’s where the SL43 reveals its yearning to break free. It refuses to be confined to traffic jams; it craves liberation from the uniformity of daily routines. As it surges through the revs, nearing the redline limiter, the SL43 delivers an exhilarating experience for the driver. Sharing the same chassis as the eagerly anticipated but not yet released AMG GT, it inherits a lineage synonymous of high-performance thrills. Its steering exudes accuracy and conviction, while its handling maintains sharpness with unwavering stability. Despite its firm suspension, it gracefully absorbs the bumps and imperfections of rough roads, ensuring a comfortable ride. 

With its AMG pedigree, this turbocharged engine has been overengineered, showcasing Mercedes’ Formula 1-inspired anti-lag technology. This innovation incorporates a mild-hybrid system, employing a compact electric motor to seamlessly spin the turbocharger at low RPMs, ensuring instantaneous performance whenever summoned. The result is palpable; the SL43 exudes a constant sense of power availability, never leaving you waiting for that surge of acceleration. If only that same level of engineering was transferred to the transmission.   

Roof Down, Luxury Up

When it comes to opening up to the interior, what better way than to lower the roof an expose the luxury that lies beneath. Taking upwards of 15-seconds, the roof can be raised and lowered while driving up to speeds of 37-mph. Mercedes always keeps its interior top notch that is sure to impress. While our example was somewhat on the conservative side in color combinations, its stylish interior felt of supreme luxury with all the usual tasteful touches of materials. The 11.9-inch infotainment controls most of the SL’s features and functions with beautifully executed visuals.   

I’ll be honest, my initial acquaintance with the AMG SL 43 Roadster was far from ideal. In the first few hours of driving, I found it uncomfortable and obnoxious to drive. Enduring two hours of rush hour traffic only exacerbated my discomfort, nearly leading me to abandon the car for the rest of its loan period. However, after careful reflection, I took a couple of ibuprofens and reevaluated my seating position. And as long as I didn’t use the finicky abrasive adaptive cruise control system, the AMG SL43 started to reveal its capabilities of a refined and impressive roadster.  

Cons: Annoyingly twitchy transmission, unstable adaptive cruise control system, exhaust note sounds aftermarket-ish  

Over the past six decades, Mercedes has embodied the essence of luxury meeting performance with the SL, offering the best of both worlds to its owners. Here in Arizona, where the sun graces us more often than we might prefer, the SL finds its ideal playground, showcasing its competence – were it not for the presence of traffic. On the expansive highways, the SL 43 effortlessly captivates us with its charm. However, at an as-tested price of $125,835, we can’t help but think of other luxury convertibles such as the Jaguar F-Type V8 and the Lexus LC 500 V8 that offer the same passion for performance with less anxiety at a lower price point.