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Merc boosts SL

Mercedes is set to overpower the competition with two new AMG versions of its revised SL roadster.

The SL 63 comes with a 525bhp 6.2-litre V8 engine that replaces the SL 55 model and does away with that car's supercharged engine in favour of a non-turbo motor.

To handle the SL 63's power, Mercedes has introduced a new seven-speed automatic gearbox that behaves in a similar way to a Formula One racer's.

The new 'box has a race start function that ensures perfect getaways every time if you want to experience 0-62mph in just 4.6 seconds.

There is also a new gearbox feature where the engine is blipped on downchanges to give smooth shifts.

Another new feature for the gearbox is the choice of four settings: Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Manual.

The two Sport and Manual settings provide quicker gear shifts and help keep the car more balanced during hard driving.

The SL 65 sticks with its twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12 that pumps out 612bhp and a huge 738lb.ft of mid-range torque.

That's enough power to get the SL 65 from 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 155mph just like the SL 63's.

Both new AMG versions of the SL come with Mercedes' AirScarf that blows warm air though the seats' headrests to keep driver and passenger snug when driving with the roof down in chilly weather.

The AMG models also come with the revised styling and interior that the rest of the SL range gets when they go on sale in the UK in April.

Mercedes will announce prices for the AMG models and the other facelifted SL models at the Geneva show in March.

Alisdair Suttie

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