SL-Class (R231) [Official] Mercedes-Benz SL (R231)

[K-A]

Audi is definitely on the leading edge of material construction right now, I think. BMW is behind both M-B and Audi.

What I'm happy about regarding the SL, is that M-B at least did answer one of my wishes: They gave a high priced model a bespoke chassis that's actually WAY more supreme to the cheaper M-B's. When you spend big bucks, you want better! Not just in frivolous details that are marketed to make you "think" you have a truly more expensive car, but in the core structure, and the SL got that.

I've literally slammed the doors of the R231 hard, multiple times, I've banged on and whacked-close every compartment and switch in the interior, basically trying to grab out some kind of vibration.... and none. The car is vault-solid, so much so that even my E in comparison felt a little "soft".

 

[Monster]

Very much deserved. The SL is apparently one of the most, if not THE most, advanced chassis of all time in terms of material construction.

It was the most advanced out of all the cars launched with in this year. I have absolutely no idea where you get the info that it is the "most advanced chassis of all time in terms of material construction", what do you mean by material construction? Do you mean it is the most advanced aluminium chassis on the market right now? Or are you saying it is technically superior than..well for example, the carbon tub used in the MP4-12C? Do we know if the new Ferrari F12 was even included in this award?

 

[Gianclaudio]

^ True. Here's the press release.

Where is "the" moustache?

 

[K-A]

It was the most advanced out of all the cars launched with in this year. I have absolutely no idea where you get the info that it is the "most advanced chassis of all time in terms of material construction", what do you mean by material construction? Do you mean it is the most advanced aluminium chassis on the market right now? Or are you saying it is technically superior than..well for example, the carbon tub used in the MP4-12C? Do we know if the new Ferrari F12 was even included in this award?

I based that off the article one of the Mags did (either Motor Trend or Car and Driver or something) when they attended that event where Mercedes put out a naked chassis of the SL for all to see and dissect (long before the car itself was revealed), and they said that in terms of materials, and construction techniques, it may very well have been one of the most advanced of all time, on the car market.

 

[Monster]

I based that off the article one of the Mags did (either Motor Trend or Car and Driver or something) when they attended that event where Mercedes put out a naked chassis of the SL for all to see and dissect (long before the car itself was revealed), and they said that in terms of materials, and construction techniques, it may very well have been one of the most advanced of all time, on the car market.

I remember that article, I think I asked how does the SL's chassis compare to the SLS?

 

[K-A]

I remember that article, I think I asked how does the SL's chassis compare to the SLS?

That's a good question. Obviously those guys were probably partially speaking kind of "liberally", but it obviously shows that the SL's chassis is pretty remarkable either way.

I do wonder how it compares with the SLS's chassis in terms of materials and strength and all that (the SL's is obviously compromised because of the inherent nature of being a Convertible, which is probably why M-B went through such great lengths to ensure that it made up for that).

 

[Wolfgang]

Where is "the" moustache?

Busy posing for Manager Magazin?

 

[Gianclaudio]

Busy posing for Manager Magazin?

I don't like the current SL, but Mr Moustache makes the car 100 times cooler

 

[K-A]

I don't like the current SL, but Mr Moustache makes the car 100 times cooler

SL, Mr.? I don't see either of the sort, all I see is a big white mustache?

 

[Gianclaudio]

While I question some of the designs he/ the directory approves, the guy still is THE boss. Getting Daimler fit after a lost decade wasn't an easy affair. Respect

 

[K-A]

While I question some of the designs he/ the directory approves, the guy still is THE boss. Getting Daimler fit after a lost decade wasn't an easy affair. Respect

That's true. I have no strong criticisms toward Mr. Mustache. His hands have been so full trying to get M-B back on track, clearly he hasn't been able to be hands on enough with the design kiddies who have been running amuck.

 

[Carmaker1]

I guess he's honoring his spiritual boss.

 

[Carmaker1]

I have a question about the R231 design process starting in 2007, then being delayed to the project signing off in 2010. We were seeing prototypes in 12/2009, so I'm wondering how they sent out testers on a vehicle that wasn't signed off on. This article also stated that it started the R172 design process after the R231 project was halted(up to 2 years). How was it that the R172 SLK went from this to this by June 2008, yet couldn't have been concurrently designed in 2007 due to it following the R231? The photos show it was practically finished by mid-2008, so I'm a little confused as to how the R172 would already be a running prototype by May/June 2008, when the SL R231 should've taken at least a year to design into 2008. Was the R172 design process rushed in a few months after the R231 was delayed? Is it also possible Mercedes-Benz has been spending less time on design compared to the past when it was 2-3 years? I heard that the SLS AMG took only 6 months to design and that the W222 S-Class design process started and finished in 2009. Thanks for your help!

SLK Clay Models 2008(2007??)

When would this one have been taken?

SLK Prototype-June 11, 2008 patent

SL CAD Render-dated August 5, 2009

I'm wondering how they were already at this stage, but didn't approve the project till much later. I guess the final still differs from above.

 

[Merc1]

They really should have worked on that front end a lot more. Its just off, lights are too big and the grill is too. The SL63 AMG looks so much better than the SL550.

M

 

[Wolfgang]

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[Pagani]

I am sorry, but this SL looks boring. Never thought I'd say this about an SL. Mercedes missed the bus with the design. This is no R230.

You get the feeling that the young type featured here is thinking: "I could have had an Aston."

 

[Merc1]

That video could have just as well been me.

Its that ungainly, overweight looking front end on the SL550 that kills it. SL63 = Problem solved for me.


M

 

[Levi68]

Anybody is the same opinion as me, and thinks that the SL is overpriced, or the other way round, that it is not enough good for the price you pay?

For comparision:
176.900 € for 537 PS SL 63 AMG Roadster
252.900 € for 630 PS SL 65 AMG Roadster
199.000 € for 571 PS SLS 63 AMG Coupé
227.000 € for 591 PS SLS 63 AMG GT Roadster




What a horror. Is the new SL R321 FWD?

It reminds me this:

The BMW M3 has always, and is still, overall my favorite BMW. The same about Mercedes, for me it has always been the SL. I have to say as somebody that really likes the SL, the R321 is a huge diappointment. Even if like for the 1 Series F2X the M pack, or the for the SL the AMG pack, may save them a little, they are not beauties. Really a waste, because I had high expectations for the new SL (and 1 Series also).

 

[Merc1]

The design is easily fixed IMO, but you have to step up to the SL63 to do it. Other than the design, the car is first-rate, sheer, pure Mercedes-Benz.

M

 

[K-A]

What a miserable overhang. M-B is still not good at maximizing wheelbase to overall length proportions, and the SL, and that "mystery convertible" we're seeing spy pics of, prove that.

On the other hand, the W222 looks too have a good wheelbase to length proportion.