Mercedes-AMG SL 43 Reportedly Coming With Four-Cylinder Engine

When Mercedes-AMG introduced the new SL in October last year, it only showed the “55” and “63” versions powered by a V8. Looks like an entry-level variant is coming soon Mercedes-Benz Passion Blog reported the taste of “43” was imminent. It is said to get a round exhaust, which can be used in conjunction with a plug-in hybrid model as prototypes of an electric roadster have been spotted with this setup.

While the decision to downsize to such a small engine will raise some eyebrows among purists, it’s worth noting it’s not the first time Mercedes has sold the Sport Leicht for four pots. The stunning 190 SL (W121) from the 1950s and 1960s had a 1.9 liter adapted from the straight-six 300 SL with 120 horsepower.

According to the same German magazine, the engine in question is the M254. If the code name doesn’t ring a bell, the 2.0-liter unit is being used in the latest C-Class, specifically the C300 4Matic. The factory four-cylinder is good for 255 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm), with some extra temporary punch coming from the mild hybrid setup. It does 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in six seconds flat and peaks at 150 mph (241 km/h).

While those are decent numbers for a non-AMG C-Class, people want more performance from the SL even though it’s a grand tourer rather than a full-fledged sports car. Mercedes will fulfill these expectations by implementing an electric turbocharger borrowed from the AMG GT 63 SE Performance. An e-turbo is also in the works for the AMG One hypercar and the four-cylinder C63, with both coming later in 2022.

Interestingly, the M254 will reportedly be more powerful than the version installed in the C-Class. We hear it will push out 385 hp, making it an additional 130 hp over the standard four-cylinder factory configuration. It still isn’t the most powerful four-cylinder engine in the company since the M139 in the AMG A45 S (and the forthcoming C63 plug-in hybrid) makes 416 hp.

Developed with Garrett, the e-turbo will unlock even more power in early rpm by eliminating the dreaded turbo lag. Coupled with the new SL, the next Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe is also rumored to get a four-cylinder engine at its base trim level. The Roadster will be the first to come out early next month in Germany.

As a final note, the AMG C43 is said to get the same setup.