SL-Class 2012 Mercedes SL (R231) - First Drives Thread

[K-A]

I saw a matte black one driving next to me the other day. I dunno if it was the matte color, but although the car does have a hunkered down, "cool" look at some angles, and looking at the PURELY frontal view of it in your rearview it actually looks quite hot and even though the M-B star grille is now homogenized and overused, practically exotic-esque.... something just doesn't look too "expensive" or "premium" about it. The taillight portion for one looks not bad, but something about it looks "cheap", "plebeian". The car doesn't have a one-dimensional slick look about it anymore, like something about it seems disjointed, broken-up.... yet unlike other M-B's, it's not about the lines, as the SL's lines are fine and pretty straightforward. At some angles on the road, like I said, it looks mean, bold, cool, yet at others, it looks common, no big deal, not in the "100K Club".

Like Martin said, it comes down to "elegance", and the car lacks the ingredient. It has "cool" to some extents, it has "bold" to many extents, but it doesn't have an ounce of "elegance" for an SL or for the price. As Tennmb said, the misplaced and small off-center screen looks crude and shows lack of interior design prowess especially for a car SO expensive.

IMO, the 991 crushes it in overall evolution of a worlds most iconic and timeless brand, and shows M-B just how the SL was supposed to be done, in terms of direction, inspiration, evolution, and restraint.

 

[K-A]

Well my flip flops on this car continue. I saw a Diamond White one with AMG Pack today (sadly I think they whore it out to be standard on that car as well.... borrrring via no variation on the roads), under the street lights, and it looked HOT. I only saw it from the rear and rear 3/4 though. Not elegant nor timeless like the previous one/s, but it looked pretty damn special actually. I wish I saw the front in the same setting to see how I liked that. I think it's the nicest M-B to come out post 2011.

 

[Wunderkind]

I think it is time for Mercedes to reconsider the SL now that there is a much more convincing BMW 6 series, a more user-friendly 991, and the Ferrari California, not to mention the Jaguar XK and various Aston Martins. Forget Maserati's, they suck.

The only thing saving the SL right now is its folding hardtop, the high price of the Ferrari California, the less appealing BMW 6-series, and the ageing Jaguar XK.

The problem I think is that the SL has to wear many hats, i.e. it has to be a soft boulevard cruising roadster, a fine back road steer, a competent GT, and a proper sportscar, depending on the model. It's a herculean task and I'm not sure a single SL Class can accomplish them all, competently.

The SL may have the BMW 6-series and the long-in-the-tooth Jaguar XK beaten soundly (but the SL costs a fair bit more). But the high-end SL's are finding themselves more frequently compared to the Porsche 991 and the Ferrari California and the SL is losing this battle and this must be a huge concern for Mercedes because the SL, and more worryingly, the Mercedes Star, has hit a ceiling as to how high it can go. In this market segment at least.

A Porsche 991 turbo will be a serious substitute for a SL63 and I think many prospective buyers are happy to pay a premium for the Porsche badge. The Porsche 991 now has refinement, space, and user-friendliness that previous generations did not while the SL63 just cannot keep up on the performance stakes apart from straight-line speed.

The Ferrari California is now a refined and forgiving sports roadster that could be driven everyday.

I think Mercedes should rethink the next SL Class and make the SL platform more flexible that would enable for a range of distinct models that would cater for different client preferences. By distinct models, I mean different body panels (carbon fiber should make them cheaper to manufacture in smaller volumes), and bespoke interior when required. The wheelbase and height and rake of the A-pillar of such platform should be adaptable according to the model's intent. That is, a shorter and lower one for a 911 fighter; a longer wheelbase for the traditional SL clientele, and maybe, a even longer one for a 4 seater S Coupe. The mechanical underpinnings such as suspensions should be customisable to each models.

I hope Mercedes understands that the market has changed and the SL, and all other Mercedes models, must also change along with it.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

I think that a stretched-wheelbase 2+2 SL (C=Coupe) could be an enticing proposition. A bonafide spiritual successor to the original 350 SLC launched in 1971.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

I think that a stretched-wheelbase 2+2 SL (C=Coupe) could be an enticing proposition. A bonafide spiritual successor to the original 350 SLC launched in 1971.

 

[Merc1]

I think it is time for Mercedes to reconsider the SL now that there is a much more convincing BMW 6 series, a more user-friendly 991, and the Ferrari California, not to mention the Jaguar XK and various Aston Martins. Forget Maserati's, they suck.

The only thing saving the SL right now is its folding hardtop, the high price of the Ferrari California, the less appealing BMW 6-series, and the ageing Jaguar XK.

The problem I think is that the SL has to wear many hats, i.e. it has to be a soft boulevard cruising roadster, a fine back road steer, a competent GT, and a proper sportscar, depending on the model. It's a herculean task and I'm not sure a single SL Class can accomplish them all, competently.

The SL may have the BMW 6-series and the long-in-the-tooth Jaguar XK beaten soundly (but the SL costs a fair bit more). But the high-end SL's are finding themselves more frequently compared to the Porsche 991 and the Ferrari California and the SL is losing this battle and this must be a huge concern for Mercedes because the SL, and more worryingly, the Mercedes Star, has hit a ceiling as to how high it can go. In this market segment at least.

A Porsche 991 turbo will be a serious substitute for a SL63 and I think many prospective buyers are happy to pay a premium for the Porsche badge. The Porsche 991 now has refinement, space, and user-friendliness that previous generations did not while the SL63 just cannot keep up on the performance stakes apart from straight-line speed.

The Ferrari California is now a refined and forgiving sports roadster that could be driven everyday.

I think Mercedes should rethink the next SL Class and make the SL platform more flexible that would enable for a range of distinct models that would cater for different client preferences. By distinct models, I mean different body panels (carbon fiber should make them cheaper to manufacture in smaller volumes), and bespoke interior when required. The wheelbase and height and rake of the A-pillar of such platform should be adaptable according to the model's intent. That is, a shorter and lower one for a 911 fighter; a longer wheelbase for the traditional SL clientele, and maybe, a even longer one for a 4 seater S Coupe. The mechanical underpinnings such as suspensions should be customisable to each models.

I hope Mercedes understands that the market has changed and the SL, and all other Mercedes models, must also change along with it.

Interesting, but I think the SL still does a good job of doing what it does. The problem is that the design is no longer a knock out.

A 911 itself is now a much better car thatn before, but it is still cramped vs the SL and doesn't ride anything like a SL. Still two different cars for different buyers. The SL this time around is mostly a 2-seat S-Class with a folding hardtop, which come to think of it, is what it has been since the R129 of the early 90's. I think the design is the problem more than anything else this time around. The SL63 AMG nor the M6 Convertible or XKR-S Convertible will be able to keep up with a 911 Turbo Cabrio so the SL is no different from the rest of its market. IMO the SL still has its segment covered, luxury/GT cars in and around 100Kish. The SL63 will still be way more versatile than the 911 Turbo. 911 Turbo has the GT-R to worry about. The SL and 911 have never had any trouble co-existing before and they won't now IMO.


M

 

[tennmb]

Agreed. For the most part the 911 and SL fit the same pocket book, but the buying motives are very seperate for each one.

Did see one of our new SL owners cruising down the road, and I must say, the car has serious presence.

 

[K-A]

Interesting, but I think the SL still does a good job of doing what it does. The problem is that the design is no longer a knock out.

A 911 itself is now a much better car thatn before, but it is still cramped vs the SL and doesn't ride anything like a SL. Still two different cars for different buyers. The SL this time around is mostly a 2-seat S-Class with a folding hardtop, which come to think of it, is what it has been since the R129 of the early 90's. I think the design is the problem more than anything else this time around. The SL63 AMG nor the M6 Convertible or XKR-S Convertible will be able to keep up with a 911 Turbo Cabrio so the SL is no different from the rest of its market. IMO the SL still has its segment covered, luxury/GT cars in and around 100Kish. The SL63 will still be way more versatile than the 911 Turbo. 911 Turbo has the GT-R to worry about. The SL and 911 have never had any trouble co-existing before and they won't now IMO.


M

Actually, surprisingly, the 911 and SL are very close in size. I always thought the SL was a much bigger car.... I think the 911's unique proportions and lower stance, and much more sporty nature make it appear even more compact to the long-hooded SL than even the small dimensional differences suggest.

I agree that both are very different cars, still. The 911 is a pure-bred Sports Car as far as I'm concerned.... BUT, it's not the SL that leaped through hoops this time around.... it's the 911. The 991 has become a masterful mix of 911 sports-driven nature or yore, but mixed with a much more luxurious and "calm" presence than before. IMO the new SL won't do so much to pull in new buyers, but the 991 definitely does, considering how much more dynamic on a broad scale (via mixing the tried and true sport nature with a newer more serene nature) the new one has become.

The 997 was a little to hardcore and ultimately-sportily-natured I think to have swayed many who were stuck on the SL's more luxury and calming characteristics.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Agreed. For the most part the 911 and SL fit the same pocket book, but the buying motives are very seperate for each one.

Did see one of our new SL owners cruising down the road, and I must say, the car has serious presence.

I've seen in static at the dealership 3 times now. First time I hated it. Second time I was indifferent. 3rd time I've warmed to it and appreciate the gravitas.

The interior I've found exceptional all 3 times.

 

[K-A]

My girlfriend I usually ask for a good extremely non-subjective opinion on cars (she hates cars, but loves a good presence and shape, doesn't know what brand any car is, even if she sees the badge, and just responds to charismatic characteristics).

She thought the SL definitely wouldn't be considered "elegant", which is where its flaws are, but she definitely thought that it looked "special", and "expensive", at least in that Diamond White with street lights glowing off of it (the matte black SL she saw she wasn't so impressed.... and of course she has no idea that they're both the same car ).

 

[fortuner]

I saw a blue SL 65 AMG at mercedes bedfordview its fantastic...

 

[Merc1]

Actually, surprisingly, the 911 and SL are very close in size. I always thought the SL was a much bigger car.... I think the 911's unique proportions and lower stance, and much more sporty nature make it appear even more compact to the long-hooded SL than even the small dimensional differences suggest.

I agree that both are very different cars, still. The 911 is a pure-bred Sports Car as far as I'm concerned.... BUT, it's not the SL that leaped through hoops this time around.... it's the 911. The 991 has become a masterful mix of 911 sports-driven nature or yore, but mixed with a much more luxurious and "calm" presence than before. IMO the new SL won't do so much to pull in new buyers, but the 991 definitely does, considering how much more dynamic on a broad scale (via mixing the tried and true sport nature with a newer more serene nature) the new one has become.

The 997 was a little to hardcore and ultimately-sportily-natured I think to have swayed many who were stuck on the SL's more luxury and calming characteristics.

Close in size how? It surely isn't in interior room. The SL is much wider and open than the 911.


M

 

[Wolfgang]

Apparently wasn't posted yet?

MERCEDES-BENZ SL63 AMG Review
X. Conclusions
9 / 10
People seem to get the wrong impression that a gentleman should “walk but never run”. Well, the Mercedes SL63 AMG begs to differ. This roadster comes with a dual personality that makes up its best asset.

The SL63 AMG has a magical effect on long distances, treating you with a superb GT attitude. It doesn’t even care if you fold its top. This is one of the best foldable roof vehicles we’ve ever driven. If the weather allows it, you can drive it in open-air mode for many hours. And even when the sky protests, you‘ll be able to use its clever roof to let the light come in.

This Mercedes also tickles your senses with a never-ending torque story. Sure, it doesn’t have an ultra-sharp response, but it packs enough heat to cause pleasant disturbance.

And, for all its firepower, the SL63 AMG is a pretty practical machine. This is the one asset that makes it win the battle with the Mercedes SLS AMG. Of course, it’s hard to believe that the two will ever share customers. In fact, the SLS will most likely go out of production in 2014.

What’s more, the AMG bits and pieces are well built into the SL. However, engineering can’t buy character and this exposes the dark side of the Mercedes SL63 AMG.

With a starting price of $216,725 or EUR159,400, this is one purchase you’ll feel. And when you’re playing at this level, you may want to feel something a bit more special. Call it drama, call it noblesse, but it’s somehow missing.

Speaking of missing requirements, the Mercedes SL would probably expand its reach by a great deal if it would add another pair of seats. Even a “2+2” arrangement such as that of the Porsche 911 would do.

In the end, the Mercedes SL63 AMG takes the SL’s melange between the German way and the American spirit further in a brilliant way. Let’s look at that long hood once again.

Source: Autoevolution

 

[Wolfgang]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

The Mercedes-Benz SL400 Is a Complete Summer Roadster, Minus the Trunk
No need to splurge for an AMG coupe, which could cost at least $100,000 more
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...is-a-complete-summer-roadster-minus-the-trunk