As you might know, the R232 Mercedes-AMG SL comes in three flavors: SL 43, SL 55 4Matic+ and SL 63 4Matic+. The 63 model offers 585 metric horses and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque. But as you might also know, when it comes to sports cars and hypercars, there’s no such thing as “too much power”. Which is probably why the folks at Affalterbach decided to introduce the SL 63 S E Performance, billed as the most innovative and powerful SL of all time. We’ll get to the numbers in just a minute or two, but let’s see what else we have here.
Visually, the SL 63 S E Performance doesn’t look all that different from its “regular” SL 63 sibling. However, the grille and the badges are dark; the model badge is red. As standard, the car rides on matt black 20-inch multi-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels, however, there are other 20- and 21-inch options. AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system comes standard, with discs measuring 420 x 40 mm on the front axle (gripped by 6-piston fixed calipers) and 380 x 32 mm on the rear axle (gripped by single-piston floating calipers). AMG Active Ride Control suspension with semi-active roll stabilization and active rear-axle steering are also part of the standard equipment.
The active aero elements have been re-tuned for this hybrid model. The carbon element hidden underneath the front of the car automatically extends downwards (depending on the selected AMG driving mode) by around 40 mm at a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph), creating the so-called Venturi effect, which additionally sucks the car onto the road and reduces the lift on the front axle. Another active component is the extendable rear spoiler integrated into the boot lid; from speeds above 80 km/h, the spoiler adopts 5 new angular positions to either optimize driving stability or reduce drag. In simple terms, the control software for all the active aero stuff has been optimized for the SL 63 S E Performance.
Inside, you get electrically adjustable AMG sports seats as standard, but the buyers can go for the optional AMG performance seats with integrated headrests and ventilation openings in the seat backs. And of course, the MBUX offers AMG and hybrid-specific displays and functions.
Alright then, moving on to the juicy bits of the story, the 4.0L V8 biturbo engine (M177, wet sump) at the front is teamed-up with an electric motor at the rear. In fact, the unit at the rear integrates a permanently excited synchronous electric motor with an electrically switched two-speed transmission and a mechanical rear-axle limited-slip differential. The ICE is coupled with a 9-speed automatic. In addition, the 4Matic+ AWD system is present here to take care of any slippages.
The ICE produces 450 kW (612 metric hp) between 5,750 and 6,500 rpm and 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm, while the e-motor offers 150 kW (204 metric hp) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft). The system power output is 600 kW (816 metric hp), while the system torque ranges between 1,080 and 1,420 Nm (796.5 – 1,047 lb-ft). As for the official performance figures, the 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time is 2.9 seconds and the top speed is 317 km/h (197 mph).
A tiny but high-performance 6.1 kWh 400-volt battery pack offers a pure electric range of up to 13 km (8 mi). Charging can happen via a 3.7 kW on-board charger with alternating current (AC) at a charging station, wallbox or household socket.
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