From the throaty V8 to the timeless silhouette, the SL 55 AMG convertible is fast, refined and unapologetically extravagant
The Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG is a head-turner with knockout good looks.
Photos by Dale Johnson
Of all the vehicles I’ve test-driven over the years, only a DeLorean I drove about 30 years ago came close to attracting the same level of attention as the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 55 4Matic+ Roadster I had for a few days.
“Nice car,” “Lucky you,” and “You must love that car” were just a few of the typical comments I received. When I stopped to take pictures of the car, it didn’t take long for others to do the same.
In a world dominated by white, grey and black vehicles, this Mercedes was a bright and light blue, which the company calls “Hyper Blue Metallic,” with a light cream Nappa leather interior branded as “Macchiato Beige/Titanium Grey.”
The 4.0-litre “AMG Handcrafted V8 Biturbo” produces 469 hp and 516 lb.-ft. of torque. Mercedes says the top speed is 295 km/h and it can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. I cannot personally verify either of those numbers. Fuel economy is rated at 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway, and 17 l/100 km in the city.
Other important numbers: wheelbase is 2,700 mm, overall length is 4,700 mm, and it tips the scales at 1,950 kg. Cargo capacity is 213 litres, about half that of a Toyota Corolla and double that of a Mazda Miata.
The “SL” designation has always been used for high-performance Mercedes-Benz models. It is short for the German “Sport Leicht” (Sport Light) and was first used in 1954 on a road version of a car that had brought Mercedes-Benz back into motor racing in 1952.
With a 3-litre 6-cylinder engine, it was officially called the 300 SL. The production coupe had doors hinged on the roof and, with both doors open, resembled a seagull in flight—hence the nickname the Gull Wing. A convertible version of the original SL was also offered. Since then, a series of SL models have followed.
AMG, Mercedes-Benz’s high-performance division, has always brought a more aggressive edge to the brand’s luxury offerings. The SL 55 is no exception.
Mercedes promotional literature is correct when it says, “the SL has been winning the hearts of drivers for generations … Sporting in nature and elegance in motion have always defined the SL’s design, and few cars earn the term ‘iconic’ so authentically. Top up or down, it’s a sports car that lets you drink in the sun while it devours the road.”
Exterior styling is bold, with a signature Mercedes front grille and thin horizontal taillights. Inside, it’s functional, logical and unmistakably high-end.
The best thing has to be the driving position: this is the nicest car I’ve experienced from the driver’s seat. There’s a bit of tradition here, with the wiper switch on a stalk on the left side of the steering column and a round knob on the dash for headlights. The transmission lever is on the right side of the steering column, with a traditional pattern of up for reverse and down for drive. Two gauges sit directly in front of the driver. Thank you, Mercedes, for not moving things around the dashboard simply for the sake of change.
The nav screen is extremely sharp, detailed and easy to read. I’ve never had a nav system give better directions. Type in your destination and, when it’s time to turn, not only is there a voice directing you, but bright blue arrows also appear on the heads-up display.
While the Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG convertible excels in driver comfort, sheer power and knock-out looks, nitpickers might point to the tiny rear seat, limited cargo space, or the hefty $188,995 price tag, which is also subject to Canada’s federal luxury tax, applied to vehicles priced over $100,000.
But those critiques miss the point. With standard 4Matic all-wheel drive—a first for the SL line—this roadster is better suited to Canadian conditions than its rear-wheel-drive predecessors. Like most convertibles in Canada, it’s best enjoyed from spring through fall, though its traction and stability make it viable in colder months.
This isn’t your everyday commuter car; it’s a statement piece for scenic drives and summer escapes. It’s not meant to be practical. It’s meant to be exceptional—and it is.
Our Verdict
The SL 55 AMG is a modern grand tourer with old-school appeal—refined, fast and unapologetically luxurious. It’s not for bargain hunters or carpoolers. It’s for drivers who want their weekend escape to start the moment they hit the ignition. If you can afford it, you’ll love it.
Dale Johnson is an award-winning author, broadcaster and journalist who has worked in TV, radio, print and online. While the manufacturer provided Dale with a vehicle to test drive, the content of this review was not reviewed or accepted by the manufacturer.
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