Our Park+ Highlight of the Day includes details on the newly launched Mercedes-AMG SL 55 4Matic+ convertible.

The new SL 55 from Mercedes AMG has been introduced in India, with pricing beginning at Rs 2.35 crore (ex-showroom, India). The roadster, which is being imported as a CBU, has a 2+2 seating arrangement with a cloth top. However, all of the SL units allocated for India this year have already been sold, therefore delivery for new reservations may only be anticipated in the next fiscal year.

In the worldwide lineup of the German manufacturer, the SL, now in its seventh generation, officially replaces the S-Class cabriolet, the AMG GT Roadster, and the sixth-gen SL. It's interesting to note that the SL also reinstates the '55' appellation for a Mercedes-AMG vehicle; the G55 SUV served as the final one until manufacturing ended in 2012.

The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 gasoline engine that powers the AMG SL 55 produces 476 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque. It is coupled to a 9-speed automated transmission, which uses Mercedes' 4Matic+ technology to distribute power to all four wheels. The SL 55 is advertised as having a peak speed of 295 kph and a 0-100kph time of 3.9 seconds. The SL also comes standard with rear axle steering.

The SL 55 roadster has increased by 88mm, 38mm, and 44mm in length, width, and height to 4,705mm, 1,915mm, and 1,359mm, respectively. For the new back seats, the wheelbase has also been expanded by 117mm, to 2,700mm.

The Panamericana front grille, sharp LED headlights, tall bonnet with two power domes, highly sloped windscreen, quad exhausts, and 20-inch alloy wheels as standard are just a few of the 2017 SL's standout aesthetic features. Also available are bigger 21-inch alloy wheels with a distinct design.

The new SL comes equipped with a triple-layer cloth roof for the first time since the fourth-generation SL. It is controlled by a button on the central console or through the infotainment display, and it is claimed to weigh 21 kg less than the metal roof used by the previous generation. It takes 16 seconds to open or close and may be deployed at up to 60 kph. The fabric roof is available in three colours: Black, Dark red, and Grey.

Obsidian black, Selenite grey, Hyper blue, Alpine grey, Opalite white brilliant, Spectral blue magno, Patagonia red bright, and Monza grey magno are the eight paint colours that Mercedes offers for the SL 55.

The SL's interior incorporates an 11.9-inch vertically oriented touchscreen that can be changed to sit at angles between 12 degrees and 32 degrees, following other Mercedes vehicles like the S-Class and C-Class. It has a variety of display options, including customised AMG and soft-top display modes, and runs the most recent version of Mercedes' MBUX operating system. Behind the AMG twin-spoke steering wheel, a 12.3-inch LCD driver display and an optional heads-up display are combined with the touchscreen.

Customers may select from five interior upholstery options: black nappa leather and microfiber with red stitching, black nappa leather, sienna brown nappa leather, truffle brown nappa leather, and black nappa leather and microfiber with yellow stitching. A Burmester audio system, an Airscarf feature that directs warm air to the head and neck of front passengers to reduce buffeting when the roof is down, and the optional AMG Track Pace programme, which records over 80 sets of data for as many as 10 times per second while on the track, are additional features.

The Mercedes AMG SL 55 will compete in India against vehicles like the Lexus LC 500h (Rs.2.43 crore) and Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet (Rs.2.18 crore).

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