The new Mercedes-AMG SL, based on a completely new 2+2-seater vehicle architecture developed by Mercedes-AMG, is powered by an AMG 577 horsepower 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine in the top model SL 63, and a 469 horsepower version in the SL 55 mated to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission equipped with AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive technology and active rear-axle steering as standard. The SL now has an electric soft top instead of the previous metal vario-roof. Compared to the previous model series, the torsional rigidity of the body shell structure increased by 18 percent while the transverse rigidity is 50 percent higher than the AMG GT Roadster. At a later date, a Performance hybrid drive will be offered.