Mercedes is upgrading the SL with new V6 and V8 engines and revisions to the V12. The SL500 now has a 383bhp 5.5-litre V8 that helps drop the 0-62mph sprint to 5.4sec. The new V6 in the SL350 rustles up 268bhp.
400bhp-plus, naturally aspirated V8s in humble saloons and estate cars were once almost common. Twenty years on is Audi's RS4, BMW's M3, Mercedes-AMG'…