There’s a specific kind of liberation that only those who’ve felt it can describe. My wife and female relatives often speak of the bliss of unfastening a bra after a long day. In the motoring world, convertibles offer a similar release. With the touch of a button, the world opens up and the car transforms into a sanctuary of wind, sky, and emotion.
These machines offer a therapy of their own: a cleansing breath along scenic routes like Chapman’s Peak, the sculpted R44 between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi Els, the warm breeze of KwaZulu-Natal’s Dolphin Coast, or the undulating green embrace of Mpumalanga’s valleys.
It was this blend of freedom and soulfulness that washed over me when Mercedes-Benz South Africa handed me the keys to the new Mercedes-AMG SL63.
Few badges carry a history as storied as the SL. Nearly 70 years ago, a racing-bred machine emerged from Stuttgart and instantly became an icon. The 300 SL of 1952 – light, focused, relentless – dominated circuits from Le Mans to the Nürburgring, cementing the SL name in automotive mythology.
The modern SL63 reminds you of that lineage the moment you ignite its heart.
The Mercedes-AMG SL63
When I collected the SL63, I knew immediately where I needed to take it: Slaaihoek Road in the eMakhazeni and eNtokozweni region (formerly Machadodorp) in Mpumalanga – a 40km ribbon of bliss I first discovered seven years ago.
Before heading there, I stopped by the Geek House Eatery in Tshwane for Daytona South Africa’s Supercar Sunday – a vibrant collage of roaring engines, young dreamers, seasoned collectors, and pure automotive passion. A brief immersion in that energy only intensified my longing to hit the open road.
The three-hour journey to Slaaihoek felt effortless, and as I approached the region, my heartbeat shifted; it felt like meeting an old love again.
The landscape opened its arms: rolling green hills, towering pine forests, and roads that curve not for convenience, but for joy. With the roof folded neatly away, the SL63 awakened its full personality; its 4.0-litre V8 biturbo singing in deep growls and sharp pops.
Switching into Sport and Sport Plus modes transformed the car into a precise instrument – the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ system keeping it perfectly poised, while the active rear-end steering elegantly carved through corners.
Each gearshift from the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G felt like an orchestration of immediacy and emotion.With 430kW of power and 800Nm of torque underfoot, the hills became a stage, the car a performer, and I the fortunate audience.
The weather danced playfully during my drive – mist one moment, sunbeams the next. It felt symbolic. When temperatures dipped, Mercedes’ clever AIRSCARF system wrapped warm air around my neck, allowing the drive to remain open-top and unbroken.
Two hours of driving, photographing, and reflecting slipped by like minutes. When it was time to head home, I chose the longer loop through eManzana, Carolina, and eventually back onto the N4, because experiences this pure deserve to be savoured.
The SL63 left a mark on me – emotional, visceral, and unforgettable. If one day my garage were to gain a new crown jewel, it would be this.
Pricing starts at R3 943 156, including a five-year/100 000km PremiumDrive Care plan.
The Corvette Stingray
I was also scheduled to test the new Corvette Stingray, fitted with the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 that reminds drivers why the visceral experience of a big-capacity engine still matters in an era of electrification and downsizing.
Unfortunately, my test drive couldn’t happen, as the test unit I was meant to experience was sold to a customer of CVH Auto Group, the importers and distributors of Maserati and Corvette in South Africa.
What impressed me, even without driving it, was how the Stingray is reshaping expectations among South African enthusiasts. At a time when many performance cars are downsizing or turning fully electric, the Stingray stands defiantly in celebration of purity.
Its character is shaped by the mid-engine architecture and bold design philosophy: wide haunches, dramatic airflow sculpting, and a silhouette that feels more supercar than traditional American muscle.
The mid-engine layout – a first for the Corvette lineage – delivers a unique blend of balance, immediacy, and theatre. Combined with the unmistakable V8 soundtrack and sculpted, aerodynamically driven design, The Stingray continues to resonate with South African motorists who value authenticity and craftsmanship.
Its appeal extends beyond performance figures. Wide, low, and sculptural, it draws attention wherever it appears. Inside, the driver-focused cockpit and premium finishes offer refinement without compromising its racing DNA.
Pricing starts from R3 600 000.
The Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet
No conversation about convertibles is complete without mentioning Porsche. The Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet represents both legacy and evolution.
The GTS badge dates back to 1963 and, while the 911 has worn it only since 2010, the spirit remains unchanged: a car that bridges everyday usability with track-inspired intent.
The latest GTS pushes boundaries further than ever before – it is the first road-legal 911 to feature a performance hybrid system, combining a newly developed 3.6-litre engine with lightweight electric innovation.
The numbers are staggering: 398kW of combined power, 610Nm of torque, and 0 to 100km/h in 3.1 seconds.
Design refinement, a digitised interior, and personalisation through Paint to Sample and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur allow the car to be tailored not just to a driver, but to a personality.
Pricing starts at R3 793 000.
