Mercedes SL400 and 2014 spec upgrades

The Mercedes SL has received a round of updates for 2014.

The biggest change is the end of the SL350; the entry-level model has been replaced by a new SL400, the outgoing model’s 302bhp/273lb ft 3.5-litre V6 making way for a twin-turbo 3-litre V6 with a much more potent 328bhp and 370lb ft or torque. The result is a 0.7sec drop in 0-60 time – down to a claimed 5.2sec – though the top speed remains limited at 155mph.

Priced from £72,500 –just over £2500 higher than the SL350 – the SL400 gets 19in AMG alloys and a subtle AMG body kit, while sports suspension comes fitted as standard. Other newly standard features include DAB digital radio and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

The entry-level AMG model has also received an upgrade, the SL63 AMG getting a 47bhp boost, to 577bhp, while a limited-slip differential is now standard fit. A carbonfibre engine cover joins the options list, at £1580. The 2014 SL63 AMG is nearly £2000 pricier than before, starting at £112,510.

There are also spec updates for the SL500 and SL65 AMG, their prices also rising by around £2000. Deliveries of the updated Mercedes SL start in July.