Several generations of the Mercedes SL were available with a V12 engine but the current R232 initially came out only with V8 power. AMG did what seemed unthinkable not that many years ago and put a four-cylinder engine in the SL43 unveiled in April 2022. Fast forward to May 2023, the base version of the premium 2+2 convertible has been confirmed for the United States. Math starts at $109,900, plus $1,150 for destination fees, and before options.
That makes it $27,500 cheaper than the SL55 and $68,200 less than the SL63. It uses a variation of the M139 found in the AMG "45" compact cars where the engine is mounted transversally as well as in the new AMG C63 where it's installed longitudinally. Obviously, with the Sport Leicht being a rear-wheel-drive car, the engine’s orientation is longitudinal. The SL43 employs Formula 1-derived tech by being the first production model to feature an electric exhaust gas turbocharger.
