We recently drove the new 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG along some very lovely roads in the south of France and came away quite impressed with the car.

British journo and avid race driver Chris Harris also happened to test AMG’s take on the latest SL Class and was kind enough to create this video, which he warns includes both civilized and uncivilized driving scenes.

At the car’s heart is AMG’s now-familiar M157 twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8, which allows the SL63 AMG to offer for the first time two different power outputs.

Normally, the engine delivers 530 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. With the optional AMG Performance Package, however, these figures rise to 557 horsepower and a staggering 664 pound-feet respectively.

The result is acceleration from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 186 mph with the AMG Performance package, and in normal mode the SL63 AMG will take 4.2 seconds for the 0-60 mph benchmark and max out at an electronically limited 155 mph.

We found the car ideal for buyers who appreciate craftsmanship and luxury, plus a little performance, but aren’t looking to turn heads in the same way that a car like the SLS AMG might. Go ahead and see what Chris thinks of it.