Anyone interested have until the end of next week to place an order for the Mercedes-AMG SL 63. After that, they’ll have to settle for what’s left in dealer lots, as the high-end roadster will bite the dust.
The information that started out as a rumor earlier this week was confirmed to us by a Mercedes-AMG representative – and it has nothing to do with Europe’s stricter emissions regulations, as the SL 63 has simply reached the end of its life.
“We can confirm that the production of the SL 63 will end within this month, which closes the normal planned life cycle.”
Merc’s spokesperson also told us that AMG has been tasked with developing its successor: “As confirmed by Tobias Moers around the NY Auto Show, AMG has been entrusted with the development of the next generation SL roadster.”
Moers didn’t divulge any details about the future SL, yet it’s believed to share the same platform, and many other components, with the second-generation AMG GT family. It could, however, differentiate itself with the adoption of a 2+2 seating layout and all-wheel drive, while a fabric soft top might replace the folding hardtop.
The rumor mill speaks about the possible adoption of the 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8, probably producing in excess of 600 hp, which will finally retire the outgoing iteration’s 5.5-liter V8. Two lesser versions of the same engine are also expected, as well as a couple of mild-hybrids, believed to combine the 3.0-liter straight-six with EQ Boost technology, in two outputs, with 365 hp and 430 hp.
AMG is also developing a brand-new electrified powertrain that was previewed in the GT Concept two years ago. It combines the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with an electric motor for a total output of more than 800 hp – and the production version will have “more or less” the same output, according to Moers.
