SL-Class Mercedes working on 300 SL successor + SL lightweight

[rev]

Look at the sinister looking G55 in the background!

Really cool!

 

[Bartek S.]

Update: New reports speculate on Mercedes gullwing

Update: Mercedes-Benz and its performance divisions AMG and HWA are planning to release several new models in coming years with the first car to be a high-performance coupe slotted between the outgoing SLR and the upcoming SL Black Series from AMG. Germany’s Handelsblatt is now reporting the car will sport a gullwing design and be available late next year as a 2010 model. The source also claims the car will be based on the current Mercedes SL, not the next-gen model that had been widely speculated, and will be built by Mercedes-Benz in Germany.

Original: Mercedes-Benz is working on a host of new sports cars with a number of prototypes already spotted testing at both the Nurburgring and America’s Death Valley. Yesterday, spy images of a new Black Series version of the facelifted SL surfaced and last month images of another prototype dubbed the SLCturned up. We now have new renderings of a third Mercedes sports car said to be in development, a gull-winged coupe based on a shortened SL platform described as a spiritual successor to the original 300 SL.
Rumored to hit the streets in 2010, the new car will feature an upgraded version of AMG’s hand-built 6.2L V8 with power levels in excess of 600hp. The car is being developed internally by Mercedes and AMG engineers and production numbers are expected to range between 3,000 and 5,000 units per year.
Although the gull-wing doors draw obvious styling cues from the original model from the 1950s, the new car won’t be shamelessly retro. As these renderings suggest, the car will feature a sleek, aerodynamic body, circular headlights and SLR-style side vents.
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/supercars/preview-mercedes%e2%80%99-300-sl-gullwing-successor/

 

[Centurion]

production numbers are expected to range between 3,000 and 5,000 units per year.

I see what you did there.


3-5k per year means that the price will land around 250k similar to the 599GTB and LP640 which are both produced in the same numbers. That's makes a whole lot more sense to develop a 450k super car and try to move 1000-3000k per year like they attempted with the SLR. Porsche tried to walk down the same path with the CGT and they failed miserably as well. Cars priced over 350k can be sold in the same manner as your average family saloon.

So I'm happy MB are going to take the right route, that segment only has 2 competitors which makes it a perfect opportunity for MB to make some new cash. Thankfully the aren't going to position the car in the overcrowded 100-150k sports car segment.

 

[Merc1]

Well actually the SLR was supposed to be 3500 over 7 years or 500 a year, which it still didn't meet I don't think.

M

 

[far2000]

Damn Confusing..3 NEW Coupes....Lets hope Merc dnt burn themselves..
3000-5000 Cars..isnt that a bit toooo optimistic...Why nott try 4 the first 1000 first....

 

[warot]

I see what you did there.


3-5k per year means that the price will land around 250k similar to the 599GTB and LP640 which are both produced in the same numbers. That's makes a whole lot more sense to develop a 450k super car and try to move 1000-3000k per year like they attempted with the SLR. Porsche tried to walk down the same path with the CGT and they failed miserably as well. Cars priced over 350k can be sold in the same manner as your average family saloon.

So I'm happy MB are going to take the right route, that segment only has 2 competitors which makes it a perfect opportunity for MB to make some new cash. Thankfully the aren't going to position the car in the overcrowded 100-150k sports car segment.

What are you talking about? How did the CGT fail in anyway? The CGT was never about profit or volume, it was about putting all of Porsche's resources together to build a supercar. And it ended up blowing people away. I wouldn't be surprised if every last one of them were accounted for.

Actually, even the Phantom which is priced in the bracket sell very well. I think when it comes to this price range, you better be the best of the best in order to be successful. The SLR clearly wasn't...

The chop looks good, but it looks like the headlights came from a CGT. That shape is sexy though

 

[Centurion]

What are you talking about? How did the CGT fail in anyway? The CGT was never about profit or volume, it was about putting all of Porsche's resources together to build a supercar. And it ended up blowing people away.

No doubt it was an amazing car but it still didn't manage to meet the sales goal Porsche had put up. A super car in the 350-500k price bracket can't be turned into a cash cow. 50-100 cars per year tops! With a final production figure of less than 1000 cars.