ON WHEELS
and provide heating, cooling, or a gentle massage as you desire. There is plenty of room for the driver and passengers. An 11.9-inch touchscreen almost rises from the center console, comes with the “Hey Mercedes” virtual assistant, and is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen even tilts to help avoid glare from the sun when the top is down. The fabric roof can be raised and lowered in about 15 seconds with the touch of a button, even when the car is in motion. A wind deflector covers the rear seats — assuming they are not in use — when the windows are up, and protects your hair from getting mussed. A standard “Airscarf” blows warm air on the occupants’ necks to allow for top-down driving in cooler weather. Most say the ride is a dream. “The SL63 handles like a far smaller, lighter car, changing directions and exhibiting cornering limits that would shame its predecessors,” Turkus wrote. “Every movement of the suspension feels precise and deliberate like the SL will never let me down,” and the gear shifting is almost undetectable. But a couple of other reviewers said the ride is a bit stiff, and it is hard to shift between driving modes to find your sweet spot. The exterior design is a classic sports car, with a long hood and a grille that dares you to challenge it. That, and the roar it makes on acceleration, ensure every other driver on the road will notice. The AMG SL has not been crash-tested for safety, and probably won’t be. But it is equipped with enough gizmos to protect the occupants, assuming the driver is awake and sober. Now comes the tough part: getting your mitts on one of these babies. It is not a popular vehicle, with only a couple thousand sold in the U.S. each year. That means you probably won’t find one on the dealer’s lot and will have to customorder it. Mercedes warns that a global semiconductor shortage could delay delivery. But it will be worth the wait. n
38
Summer 2022 |
LIFESTYLE
njlifestyleonline.com
