SL-Class (R232) [Official] All-new Mercedes-AMG SL (R232)

The All-new Mercedes-AMG SL (R232)

Almost 70 years ago, a sports car launched in Stuttgart immediately became a legend. The vision of expanding the potential of the Mercedes-Benz brand through motor racing successes produced the first SL as a result - a road-going racing sports car. Shortly after its début in 1952, the 300 SL (internal designation W 194) reaped success after success on the race tracks of the world. In its first year, it achieved, among other things, a spectacular one-two victory in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans and even took the first four places in the Nürburgring Grand Jubilee Prize for sports cars. Its successes quickly make the SL a legend.

Mercedes-Benz - The new Mercedes-AMG SL: The new edition of an icon [R232]

The new Mercedes-AMG SL, the new edition of an icon, returns to its roots with a classic soft top and sporty character.

www.germancarforum.com

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EDIT
Reference thread: https://www.germancarforum.com/threads/2021-mercedes-benz-sl.53446/

 

[empower77]

I get that it’s a rag on the SL theme here, but why are you comparing the “range” of an ICE to an EV. That doesn’t make any sense. Since when did a GT/sporty car prioritize range? I agree the SL is overpriced, but this is about range is just reaching for something that doesn’t matter in the least. The SL has never been about range.

M

The SL is not worth the $$… all it’s competitors are better driving cars and cheaper. This especially bodes badly for the new GT which will be around $50K more than the last gen trim for trim

 

[Merc1]

The SL is not worth the $$… all it’s competitors are better driving cars and cheaper. This especially bodes badly for the new GT which will be around $50K more than the last gen trim for trim

That opinion has nothing to do with anything I just said or asked. Also I already clearly agreed that the car is overpriced so……

M

 

[Centurion]

Yes!!
Car friends always tell me to get a porsche / ferrari / lambo ...but...I don't think any come close on driver assistance/gadgets/interior screens and ambient lighting (well, E/GLE/gt63/previous S class side by side screens are best...)...great priorities I know... but they use exactly same argument, why would I want a £100k+ car that is the same as a £30k car and doesn't hold its value...
Still an MB fan but spending more and more time thinking about jumping ship...which would have been unthinkable a couple of years ago.
Love how everyone misses Mclaren out of the higher prices....they seem to still drop like a stone!
The only MB that seems to hold price well seems to be the G wagon. I think Mercedes will come back down to earth when sales drop massively. I barely seen any new E classes saloons about even. Worrying.

SL should have had a hard top too...or at least a hard top version. The only convertible I saw today on a 140 mile journey was a vw beetle..

Mercedes flagship cars are usually a brilliant purchase of you are a "big" guy or have a bad back. The seats are top notch, getting in and out is easy and the cabins have plenty of elbow room.

Tech-wise the SL and S-Class no longer have the same advantage as the 15-20 years ago. You can get ventilated seats, advanced driver assistance and cutting edge infotainment in a 911 and even a car half the price of the SL55. Airscarf and augmented reality are probably the few unique gadgets that rivals don't have yet.

This looks bad, especially as Ferraris have 4yr warranty and 7yr free maintenance in the UK.

 

[Merc1]

You can put gadgets on any car. That doesn’t mean the experience is the same. A Hyundai can have rear heated seats, does that mean it’s an equal to an S or 7? Now we’re comparing used to new? Off the deep end as if any of this is a new occurrence.

M

 

[lukeswiss]

I think I much prefer the idea of a 911, an absolute classic with far more options for making a bespoke interior. The options list is endless.

I still have my r230 SL 55 in the garage though

 

[Centurion]

You can put gadgets on any car. That doesn’t mean the experience is the same. A Hyundai can have rear heated seats, does that mean it’s an equal to an S or 7? Now we’re comparing used to new? Off the deep end as if any of this is a new occurrence.

M

Off course. There are differences in sound systems, effectiveness of heated seats or noise levels of aircons.

 

[Merc1]

Off course. There are differences in sound systems, effectiveness of heated seats or noise levels of aircons.

You are totally missing the point here. It’s not about gadgets. It’s about how the entire car comes together. That’s the essence of a luxury vehicle or item today. All those things you just mentioned can be excellent in a cheaper car, but the drive, experience and presentation is not there. Otherwise there is no point to any luxury car today.

M

 

[Rolf]

You are totally missing the point here. It’s not about gadgets. It’s about how the entire car comes together. That’s the essence of a luxury vehicle or item today. All those things you just mentioned can be excellent in a cheaper car, but the drive, experience and presentation is not there. Otherwise there is no point to any luxury car today.

M

Totally agree, a smaller car can have an infotainment system, heated and electric seats and other high end features, but the way they are engineered and actually work inside the car compared to a Mercedes is totally different and not in the same league. Take electric windows and how they operate as an example. A cheaper car has these just as on my E-class, but open the window on the cheaper car and then my Mercedes and you will notice a big difference. The Mercedes motor is dead quiet and its butter smooth even when I open the window half way there is no abrupt hop in the window. On another vehicle you would hear the window motor whirring and the window would make a hop once you stop it halfway. Compare the features, graphics and speed of the processing of a smaller car infotainment system to a luxury car like BMW and Mercedes and you will see another big difference.

I do agree that with this new SL Mercedes has perhaps overpriced it somewhat in the UK quite a bit. The SL55 costs 147K and the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabrio costs 131K and a 580PS Porsche 911 Turbo Cabrio costs 157K Pounds and 911 Turbo S Cabrio is 179K Pounds. The SL63 costs 187K Euros in Germany so it will be approaching 180K Pounds in UK as well which is getting into super car league. McLaren Artura is 190K Pounds.

 

[lukeswiss]

Totally agree, a smaller car can have an infotainment system, heated and electric seats and other high end features, but the way they are engineered and actually work inside the car compared to a Mercedes is totally different and not in the same league. Take electric windows and how they operate as an example. A cheaper car has these just as on my E-class, but open the window on the cheaper car and then my Mercedes and you will notice a big difference. The Mercedes motor is dead quiet and its butter smooth even when I open the window half way there is no abrupt hop in the window. On another vehicle you would hear the window motor whirring and the window would make a hop once you stop it halfway. Compare the features, graphics and speed of the processing of a smaller car infotainment system to a luxury car like BMW and Mercedes and you will see another big difference.

I do agree that with this new SL Mercedes has perhaps overpriced it somewhat in the UK quite a bit. The SL55 costs 147K and the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabrio costs 131K and a 580PS Porsche 911 Turbo Cabrio costs 157K Pounds and 911 Turbo S Cabrio is 179K Pounds. The SL63 costs 187K Euros in Germany so it will be approaching 180K Pounds in UK as well which is getting into super car league. McLaren Artura is 190K Pounds.

I think my issue with the whole thing is that Mercedes-Benz have assumed that pricing alone will increase the exclusivity.

 

[Merc1]

I think my issue with the whole thing is that Mercedes-Benz have assumed that pricing alone will increase the exclusivity.

It will. Less and slower sales will make it exclusive but not in a good way. They want the sold out type of exclusivity that Ferrari has, you know the kind where you could sell more at exorbitant prices, but you choose not too. The SL won’t be an achieving that.

Some cars are exclusive because people just don’t buy them, but that’s not the type of exclusivity to boast about.

M

 

[klier]

That opinion has nothing to do with anything I just said or asked. Also I already clearly agreed that the car is overpriced so……

M

Overpriced compared to what? The outrageously overpriced 911?

 

[Merc1]

Overpriced compared to what? The outrageously overpriced 911?

A Mercedes SL63 is not a 200K car. Every brand has limits. The SL55 is priced where the SL63 should be. All US pricing.

M

 

[sako97]

Du

Overpriced compared to what? The outrageously overpriced 911?

A Mercedes SL63 is not a 200K car. Every brand has limits. The SL55 is priced where the SL63 should be. All US pricing.

M

Dunno - have you seen 992 prices? GTS’ are going new for $220k+ now; Targa 4S upwards $240k (GTS even more), which is insane to me as a 911 enthusiast. 5-10 years ago that was loaded Turbo S money.

The SL is a tough sell this day in age, but it’s priced in line with the competition due to inflation.

 

[Merc1]

Du

Dunno - have you seen 992 prices? GTS’ are going new for $220k+ now; Targa 4S upwards $240k (GTS even more), which is insane to me as a 911 enthusiast. 5-10 years ago that was loaded Turbo S money.

The SL is a tough sell this day in age, but it’s priced in line with the competition due to inflation.

When you say "going for" I'm assuming you're talking about with some type of dealer markup? Those numbers sound too high for MSRP.

M

 

[martinbo]

I call it the “Stuttgart model”. With supply chains and production constraints lowering outputs, whilst demand from the wealthy continues to rise, the inevitable profit protection mechanism is to increase margin, through whatever means available.

 

[Centurion]

The SL is a tough sell this day in age, but it’s priced in line with the competition due to inflation.

As a mass market manuf, Mercedes likely has generous headroom in the SL for incentives and attractive leases.

 

[Rolf]

This is one of the first after market spec SL I have seen. Looks quite mean.

 

[dalab]

This is one of the first after market spec SL I have seen. Looks quite mean.

Very nice wheels

 

[Gor134]

I think that's a render.

 

[Merc1]

If it’s real it’s not drivable. Looks beyond retarded.

M