Fancy two-entryway back drive convertible vehicles aren't so normal as they used to be, however a couple of automakers actually fabricate them to conciliate people who need outdoors adrenaline. We for the most part see them stopped before extravagant steakhouses, moving along Beverly Slopes' roads, or on Malibu's Pacific Coast Thruway. Normally, they're rarely the main vehicle in the proprietor's carport, as they were created to lean toward thrills over common sense.
Time was the point at which the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class was the portion's benchmark. Its delightful plan, skillful taking care of, and punchy V-8 made it a number one among a specific gathering of purchasers, an unmistakable image that told the world they'd came to the top.
Albeit the past age was a takeoff from its conventional style, the 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL63 holds the SL line's strong V-8 ethos and a striking plan while adding two minimal back seats for more apparent common sense. It may not "look" like an old SL, yet we acclaim Mercedes for giving the renowned nameplate one more disagreement a period when SUVs and electric vehicles cause the market's greatest disturbances.
In the mean time, a specific Porsche 911 cases a portion of the classification's most profound roots. The 2022 Porsche 911 Super S Cabriolet is extraordinarily unique in relation to the SL it has two less chambers, more power, and its popular back motor engineering, in addition to it's more limited and lighter than the Mercedes-AMG. In any case, as perhaps of the most famous game vehicles on earth and with the new SL available as a component of our Presentation Vehicle of the Year assessments we grabbed the valuable chance to figure out how these two German-designed machines coordinate.
On The Road
We assessed every vehicle's ride and taking care of on city roads, interstates, and on Angeles Peak Thruway, one of the nation's best driving streets. ACH's broad bends, sharp corners, and light traffic were ideally suited for figuring out these convertibles, and in spite of the fact that there was an unmistakable distinction between their street habits, both were very convincing.
We favored the Porsche's general way of behaving on ACH, however we partook in the Mercedes for its solid motor and transmission combo. With 577 hp and 590 lb-ft of force, its 4.0-liter twin-super V-8 conveys a tomfoolery experience paying little mind to how hard you push it, and the nine-speed programmed transmission shifts up or down quickly and on time. "It has great power, beast force, extraordinary sound, a decent gearbox, great choke reaction," chief proofreader Macintosh Morrison said after his initial not many sudden spikes in demand for the Peak.
As punchy and enthusiastic as the Mercedes was, the Porsche felt unrivaled. The 911's 3.7-liter level six motor conveys 640 hp and a similar force as the SL63, and it handily performed more grounded off the line than the AMG, in light of the fact that it weighs 424 pounds less and packs 63 more drive. As a generally GT vehicle, "You can't request much better similar to responsiveness and explicitness," Morrison said.
As we've frequently adulated in other Porsches, the directing's reaction and accuracy is difficult to coordinate. Driving the 911 and the SL consecutive additionally shown the Super's unrivaled suspension arrangement. On rough segments where the SL felt delicate and awkward, the 911 conveyed an exceptional associated insight. Its frame felt dynamic and blissful on the twisty street, with little requirement for guiding adjustments; the Mercedes' doesn't offer a similar sort of input or feel.
Away from ACH's difficulties, the SL radiated on city roads and expressways with long ranges. Fairly strangely in Solace mode on not exactly smooth streets, the vehicle feels stiffer than you probably anticipate. Its weighty nose, where 54% of its weight sits, additionally prominently affected the manner in which it performed on ACH. It handles well through fast and medium-speed corners, however it's not difficult to tip the case balance into understeer for hair clip turns. Notwithstanding, you will not regularly notice that while cruising on city roads and roadways.
The Porsche, then again, is fit for decimating any sort of street. "It's a rocket boat of fantastic visiting style, with ridiculous execution," Morrison said. "There are lighter and better-dealing with 911s, however you truly possibly know that assuming you've driven those different adaptations. On the off chance that this Super S Taxi was your main experience of the arrangement, you'd leave saying it has no shortcomings as a street vehicle." To be sure, whether you journey with the top up or down, this Porsche feels like as much vehicle as you've at any point cared about. As our test numbers show (see outline beneath), it's on an alternate exhibition plane contrasted with the 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL63.
Inside Line
Very much like their outside plans, the Mercedes' and Porsche's lodge are radically unique, particularly with regards to the quantity of hard fastens. Mercedes architects selected to put every virtual button — including air conditioning controls — at the lower part of the primary screen, making the driver take their view off the street to change fan speed or temperature. The appearance is spotless and contemporary, however we thought that it is baffling.
Essentially, the controlling wheel's capacitive buttons are not difficult to enact unintentionally while moving your thumbs or hands, and swiping a "button" in any event, for things like changing sound system volume is an uncertain activity. "I suppose I'm 100 years of age presently," said Morrison, who's in his 40s. "Yet, I never wanted for a vehicle to become one goliath computerized tablet. Rather than becoming accustomed to this stuff as the miles moved by, I rather thought that it is really aggravating."
The 2022 Porsche 911 Super S Cabriolet is quite flawed, yet we didn't say anything negative as much about its ergonomics and inside highlights. Its absence of cubbies to put your effects or beverages is its primary driver of client dissatisfaction, alongside the reality the shifter somewhat impedes the air conditioning controls. We were glad to find there are as yet radio tuning and volume handles, and you don't need to go through the screen to change the lodge temperature.
Opening and shutting the AMG SL63's rooftop is another disappointment. What ought to be a phenomenally simple undertaking is made exasperating by the activity of digging through the infotainment screen's menus and, when you track down it, swiping and holding one more virtual button on the presentation until the top is gotten totally. Despite the fact that we're situated in Southern California, we envisioned a scene when it begins pouring and you attempt frantically to put the top up. We hugely incline toward the two actual buttons situated on the Porsche's mid control area for bringing down and getting it started.
These irritations to the side, the SL63's lodge is a decent spot to sit. The exemplary adjusted air vents with extravagant speakers and lots of carbon-fiber completes make for a rich and current energy. The 11.9-inch touchscreen alongside the 12.3-inch advanced instrument group support the vehicle's innovation game, and the nature of the materials is first class.
The 911 isn't a long ways behind, however between the two lodge's we incline toward the Sl63's. Albeit the Super S Cabriolet likewise includes premium materials, it misses the mark on extravagant screens and clean look. Be that as it may, neither one of the lodges falls off totally at a level you expect while playing in the $200,000 territory.
Concerning driving with the delicate tops set up, neither one of the vehicles was especially calm, however the 911 was a touch better at limiting breeze clamor coming from the side mirrors. Then again, the Mercedes-AMG's trunk is more roomy than the 911's frunk. What's more, like the 911, its new back seats aren't happy for grown-ups or even youngsters for extremely lengthy, yet they're a decent spot to put a bag or even a sack of golf clubs.
Value Can Still Sorta Apply
It's consistently hard to discuss esteem with vehicles approaching or surpassing $200,000, however it's a major piece of MotorTrend examinations and a gigantic thought for purchasers. The Mercedes-AMG SL63 we drove conveyed a base cost of $182,250, and our test vehicle added pretty much every choice accessible, expanding its cost to $208,085. The Porsche 911 Super S Cabriolet, then again, had a beginning cost of $231,350 and included more than $20,000 in additional items to push its as-tried cost to $252,940.
Is the Porsche 911 Super S Cabriolet $44,855 better than the 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL63? Subsequent to driving them one after the other, we incline toward yes. The value distinction is huge enough for purchasers to ponder picking one over the other, yet the hole is probably not going to influence many individuals ready to spend more than $200,000 on a two-entryway convertible. Furthermore, when they sit in the driver's seat and go to a twisty street (or even drive energetically to the fairway), they will see the value in the unique experience and associated feel the Porsche has over the Mercedes.
The 911 is just quicker, more tomfoolery, and simpler to work than the Mercedes. In spite of the SL63's flashier, more tech-forward inside, it's not difficult to acknowledge Porsche contributed a large portion of its assets on fostering the suspension and its taking care of. That is where the $44,855 distinction becomes clear it's not in places you can contact or see, yet rather where you can feel and appreciate everything in the driver's seat.
The Final Decision
The 911 overall is known for being tomfoolery and dynamic on testing streets while likewise being agreeable as an everyday worker. Our involvement with the 2022 Porsche 911 Super S Cabriolet proceeded with that practice — it succeeded regardless of where we drove it. A vehicle draws grins whether you're cornering hard on Angeles Peak or cruising on Pacific Coast Roadway with the top down.
The 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL63 is a la mode and skilled fantastic traveler that will satisfy a great deal of purchasers, however its dynamic execution isn't as sharp. It's in all actuality agreeable for everyday exercises and is somewhat more useful than the Porsche given its more extended wheelbase and fairly greater rearward sitting arrangement. In any case, its heavier weight and longer wheelbase decrease its exhibition and dealing with.
The two vehicles are equipped and move toward the fragment in various ways, however the 911 Super S Cabriolet is the reasonable victor. Its immediate feel, attractive plan, and wild cornering skills pushed it to the top. The AMG SL63 brings back the old SL beguile, however its driving cutoff points kept it down in this examination. The Porsche