On the SL63, carbon-fibre has been applied to further reduce weight, the race-bred material used to form the inner support of the boot lid, where it is claimed to save 5kg compared with a conventional design. Mercedes-Benz hints that the technology could filter into more products over time.
In addition to the agility advantages of reduced weight, the SL's aluminium body structure is more rigid, making it easier to tune suspension settings for a better ride and handling balance, reducing vibration and improving crash protection.
Aluminium features heavily in suspension and steering components and some parts of the car are formed from even lighter magnesium metal, while high-strength steel tubes used to reinforce the windscreen pillars.
The SL63 will come with sports suspension, switchable between sports or comfort modes, speed-sensitive steering and a sport handling mode for the electronic stability control.
Also switchable is the seven-speed automatic transmission, with economy, sport, sport plus and manual modes. The economy mode activates the engine's stop-start system and softens gear changes, selecting a taller ratio at the first opportunity - including using the engine's considerable torque to pull away from stand-still in second gear.
The sport and manual modes work with the engine management system to briefly interrupt power delivery - but not revs - during full-bore gearshifts, claimed to produce an exciting sound from the exhaust, and the system also automatically blips the throttle on down-shifts.
Six-piston front brake callipers clamp 390mm compound rotors to bring the power and torque under control, with the rear 360mm rotors grabbed by single-piston items. Differentiating the SL63 from the rest of the range are twin-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels, a new radiator grille design with twin chrome horizontal bars, a redesigned front bumper with chrome lower lip, more aggressive side splitters, side vents and integrated LED daytime running lights.
At the back are a lip spoiler and quad exhaust outlets flanking a body-coloured diffuser-style rear apron.
Inside, the SL63 is inspired by the SLS - especially the styling of the centre console with its gearshifter and AMG drive mode selectors - plus jet engine-style air vents, AMG sports seats with AMG backrest badges, carbon-fibre trim, sports steering wheel and customised multi-function display with lap timer. Standard equipment on the SL63 will include fatigue detection, six-CD audio system, remote-control power boot lid, automatic headlights and wipers with adaptive windscreen cleaning system and a wind deflector.
Options include Airscarf neck heater, parking assistance, Bang & Olufsen or Harman Kardon premium sound systems and driver assistance technology including adaptive cruise control, radar-based automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and blind-spot warning.
