AMG SLs hot to trot

The new SL roadster which arrives in July features a muscular bonnet with twin power domes.

With the AMG 63 and 65 roadsters, these power domes really are packed with the goods.

They feature an AMG-tuned 6.3-litre V8 engine developing 386kW of power and 630Nm of torque and a V12 6-litre bi-turbo developing 450kW and 1000Nm.

The SL 63 AMG accelerates from 0-100km/h in 4.6sec, while the SL 65 AMG does it in 4.2.

Mercedes-Benz Australia corporate communications manager Peter Fadeyev said all the SL models, AMG included, would be in Australian showrooms in July.

Outside, the most obvious changes to the new SL range are the headlights which are now a single unit, rather than conjoined twin lights and the gill-style air outlets behind the front wheels.

The AMG models add a special bonnet and spoiler lip.

The SL 63 AMG comes with the new AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed sports transmission with wet start-up clutch replacing the conventional torque converter.

It has a direct connection to the powertrain, double-declutching, Race Start functions and four drive modes (comfort, sport, sport plus and manual).

Power in the SL 65 AMG is transferred by the AMG Speedshift five-speed automatic transmission with three drive modes and a multi-disc limited-slip differential with a lock factor of up to 30 per cent for better traction.

Both models also get the AMG suspension and brake treatment with options up to barbecue-plate-sized 390mm discs.

They both sit on 19-inch alloys with wide 255/35 R 19 (front) and 285/30 R 19 rubber.

No prices are available yet, but the two new models will replace the current SL 55 AMG ($376,000) and SL 65 AMG ($457,900).