2022 Mercedes-AMG SL interior revealed
Mercedes' new performance-focused luxury roadster scores a twin-screen premium interior, with an adjustable infotainment screen and a pair of rear seats.
The interior of the 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL has been unveiled, ahead of the new-generation roadster's full reveal in the coming months.
Drawing close ties with the latest S-Class limousine, the cabin of the new SL – which now wears Mercedes-AMG branding, reflecting the new model's performance focus – is dominated by a pair of large screens, measuring 12.3 inches for the instrument cluster, and 11.6 inches for the central screen.
That central touchscreen – which can be adjusted into a more vertical position to reduce glare when the roof is down – runs Mercedes' latest MBUX software, enhanced with AMG-specific displays, performance drive mode settings, and a Track Pace app used for recording lap times on the race track.
Drivers grip a three-spoke, flat-bottomed sports steering wheel trimmed in leather, with two rotary dials for controlling performance modes on either side of the central spoke.
Surrounding the displays are an array of circular, turbine-style air intakes, plus a 'hood' over the instrument cluster to reduce glare, metal Burmester speaker grilles, an optional head-up display, and an abundance of 64-colour ambient lighting strips.
Front occupants have a choice of two seat design: a sculptured 'sports' seat with integrated headrests, or a 'performance' seat likely to take the form of the hard-shell 'AMG Performance' bucket fitted to AMG's fastest models.
Seat upholstery choices range from single- and two-tone nappa leather, to diamond-quilted nappa 'Style' leather, and a mix of nappa leather and Dinamica microfibre with red or yellow contrast stitching.
The new-generation SL sees the return of a '2+2' four-seat configuration – not offered since 1989 – with a pair of rear seats that claim to be large enough for people up to 1.5 metres tall (4ft 11in), and able to be folded down to pass items through from the boot.
"The SL is an icon of the brand with the three-pointed star: This roadster has stood for automotive fascination and desire for decades. A great opportunity and challenge for design, because every designer wants to create icons," said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Mercedes-AMG's parent company, Daimler.
"The result is a revolutionary interior experience caught between digital and analogue luxury. We created the most iconic SL ever since, the luxury icon of the [20]20s."
Slated to be unveiled in the coming weeks, the new Mercedes-AMG SL will be the first all-new SL from the three-pointed star brand in a decade, and will adopt a focus on driving dynamics and performance, becoming a replacement for the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster.
Rumours suggest an array of mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid petrol engines will be offered, from a circa-290kW mild-hybrid turbocharged four-cylinder, to a 600kW plug-in hybrid, twin-turbo V8.