24 March 7-March 13th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) AM I LUXURY OR SPORTY? 2023 MERCEDES-AMG SL 43 ROADSTER 2023 MERCEDES-AMG SL 43 ROADSTER N ew for 2023 and the ew for 2023 and the entry point to the SL life entry point to the SL life is the SL 43 Roadster. is the SL 43 Roadster. Mercedes wasn’t even sure they Mercedes wasn’t even sure they were going to bring this model to were going to bring this model to the U.S. but then they realized the U.S. but then they realized they want to make more money they want to make more money and started shipping these bad and started shipping these bad boys state side. boys state side. The SL 43 is inspired by The SL 43 is inspired by the Mercedes F-1 team as they the Mercedes F-1 team as they combine a hybrid assist to the combine a hybrid assist to the handcrafted AMG 2.0L Inline-4 handcrafted AMG 2.0L Inline-4 Turbo engine to build in some Turbo engine to build in some performance efficiencies and performance efficiencies and minimize lag. This sounds minimize lag. This sounds awesome but I couldn’t really awesome but I couldn’t really tell. It may help with the fuel tell. It may help with the fuel efficiency as the 21/27 MPG is efficiency as the 21/27 MPG is solid but not sure what is does solid but not sure what is does for the performance as the 375 for the performance as the 375 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque are ample for the real torque are ample for the real world but not what I would expect world but not what I would expect when driving an AMG luxury when driving an AMG luxury sports car. sports car. The SL 43 feels like a cockpit The SL 43 feels like a cockpit when you’re sitting behind the when you’re sitting behind the wheel as the seat grabs you wheel as the seat grabs you and the side wings really hug and the side wings really hug you to help magnify the sports you to help magnify the sports car feel. The materials are high car feel. The materials are high end, the lighting is amazing end, the lighting is amazing and the technology is plentiful and the technology is plentiful but there are some placement but there are some placement issues that could be improved issues that could be improved in the next go round. The SL in the next go round. The SL 43 has all the safety features 43 has all the safety features we come to expect, lane assist, we come to expect, lane assist, collision avoidance, cross collision avoidance, cross traffic notifications, blind-spot traffic notifications, blind-spot monitoring and all that jazz. monitoring and all that jazz. Space is limited as there Space is limited as there is 7.5’ of storage, the second is 7.5’ of storage, the second row of seats is questionable row of seats is questionable if an adult can even fit but you if an adult can even fit but you are getting an AMG and a high are getting an AMG and a high class, beautiful looking sports class, beautiful looking sports car that just is a little light on car that just is a little light on the sport. If you are comparing the sport. If you are comparing the $125,835 price tag to the the $125,835 price tag to the SL 55 or SL 63, it’s a steal. If SL 55 or SL 63, it’s a steal. If you are trying to get the biggest you are trying to get the biggest bang for your bucks, there are bang for your bucks, there are other options that deliver more other options that deliver more sport or deliver more luxury… sport or deliver more luxury… depending on what you’re in to. depending on what you’re in to. Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles: