New Mercedes-AMG SL-Class Spied Having Fun In The Snow

Despite its lackluster sales, the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is returning for a new generation. Mercedes needed to do something drastic to make its GT sports car stand out against the AMG GT, so it enlisted the AMG performance division for development duties to spice it up. As a result, the SL-Class is finally returning to its sports car roots and, as we’ve seen in recent spy shots, testing of the next-generation Mercedes SL is already underway.

Now, two more prototypes have been caught out in the cold testing in Sweden. Snowy conditions may not be the convertible sports car’s natural habitat, but it’s an effective way of testing the components by putting them under a lot of strain.

Both prototypes are wrapped up warm in full camouflage, but the camo has started to peel away on one of them giving us a peek at its bright blue production body. We also get a clear look at the SL’s new fabric roof replacing the old model’s heavier retractable hard-top.

Most of the photos focus on the more powerful SL63, which sports the Panamerican grille, quad-trapezoidal exhaust pipes, and a retractable rear spoiler. Mercedes was also testing a less powerful version at the same time with round tailpipes, suggesting it to be a lesser AMG variant, potentially the AMG SL53 which will likely be powered by Merc’s inline-six with EQ Boost electric assistance.

Our spy photographers managed to get up close to the SL63 prototype and got a sneaky shot of the interior, where there’s a large portrait tablet-style screen similar to the one fitted in the new Mercedes S-Class. In the S-Class, the screen measures 12.3 inches.

In its SL63 guise, the new SL will reportedly be powered by a twin-turbo V8 producing 612 hp, while the entry-level model is expected to have an inline-six engine generating 435 hp. Topping the range will be the SL73e, which will allegedly utilize a plug-in hybrid powertrain pairing a twin-turbo V8 with a 204-hp electric motor for a combined 800 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. Since the new Mercedes-AMG SL looks nearly ready for production, we’re expecting the covers to come off later this year.