SL-Class [Renders] 2021 Mercedes-Benz SL

[Levi68]

I dream of a Maybach only coupe, with a totally unique design to replace the S Coupe. Will likely never happen.

M

Electric or gasoline? The later indeed will unfortunately never happen. As for the former, it should be much easier to do now, yet the same doubt remains.

 

[tennmb]

I don't like what i see...

Pretty clear that Mercedes taking a stab at 911 market share.
Here's the reality. I started with MB in 1998. Even with the out of date body and clumsy two top system, we were selling SLs like cord wood. That generation had a lot of older, affluent folks who wanted a summer or weekend vehicle. Those days are GONE. SL sales have evaporated on the new side. Where did they go? They died.

Tapping into Porsche's base is tough as hell and the GT was proof. I had a gentleman who had owned over 50 911s and was big in the Porsche community tell me the GT was an incredible car and even superior to certain high end 911s. But, it didn't matter. Every cardiologist and anesthesiologist is pre-programmed in med school to get a 911. It's literally like they've been subliminally influenced. So, I don't blame MB, but this car is going to have to kick ass and putting the engine in front, is not a great start.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Pretty clear that Mercedes taking a stab at 911 market share.
Here's the reality. I started with MB in 1998. Even with the out of date body and clumsy two top system, we were selling SLs like cord wood. That generation had a lot of older, affluent folks who wanted a summer or weekend vehicle. Those days are GONE. SL sales have evaporated on the new side. Where did they go? They died.

Tapping into Porsche's base is tough as hell and the GT was proof. I had a gentleman who had owned over 50 911s and was big in the Porsche community tell me the GT was an incredible car and even superior to certain high end 911s. But, it didn't matter. Every cardiologist and anesthesiologist is pre-programmed in med school to get a 911. It's literally like they've been subliminally influenced. So, I don't blame MB, but this car is going to have to kick ass and putting the engine in front, is not a great start.

The 911 within and outside of the Porsche line-up looks iconic and unique. The SL, over time, looked more and more blended-in within the Mercedes model family. It lost a sense of "specialness" within M-B. Coupled that with declining popularity in this segment, it lost a lot of ground.

 

[Serpens]

The 911 within and outside of the Porsche line-up looks iconic and unique. The SL, over time, looked more and more blended-in within the Mercedes model family. It lost a sense of "specialness" within M-B. Coupled that with declining popularity in this segment, it lost a lot of ground.

I think tennmb is spot on but this? I'm not sure. The R107 and R129 especially share a strong familial resemblance with their contemporary sedan/coupe counterparts within the Mercedes model range.

 

[tristatez28lt1]

I think hoffs point is that the SL evolved in line with the other models in the respective range (S, E, CL, etc) but it didn’t stay true to itself. The Golf and 911 have shown how evolving an iconic is done.

 

[Merc1]

Not sure I agree with that either. The SL pretty much left the sports car ranks many many years ago, but it still looked like an SL, but R231 was just ugly, and the market dried up. It’s been a drop tourer for decades not a sports car. Styling killed this last generation and market conditions not because it didn’t evolve right.

M

 

[PanterroR]

Looks like a fleet of new AMG GTs...

 

[Deleted member 1071]

It will surely be a visually attractive automobile. Yet, I suspect that it will come out second in a head-to-head confrontation with the 992 Carrera cabriolets and Targas-and that not in only in terms of unit sales. Then again, perhaps both cars can peacefully coexist in that very small marketplace.

 

[Serpens]

Looks like a fleet of new AMG GTs...

It does in that picture and this is precisely why I thought it was funny people were complaining about this model having a short hood in previous pages.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

It does in that picture and this is precisely why I thought it was funny people were complaining about this model having a short hood in previous pages.

The bonnet length on the upcoming SL appears to me to be "just right" for the type of car that it is. The current AMG GTs' resemble clown shoes.

 

[leylandi]

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[leylandi]

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[GTA45E]

Looking a little better in these latest shots.
Slight steering angle at the rear suggest 4WS.

 

[martinbo]

Promising. Looks closer to an SL than an AMG GT Roadster to these old eyes.

 

[GTA45E]

^Agree, I also see a lot of the S-Coupe, more so than the GT.

 

[Merc1]

I just don't see a "SL", I see a shorter wheelbase AMG GT Roadster.

M

 

[TATE]

 

[Grosser]

Not again...

 

[tristatez28lt1]

you already know what's coming for all the MB cars. It's simple economies of scale. Not even MB can afford to build different infotainments. That's once again why OEMs should just cooperate with Google/Apple/Amazon and call it a day. No use competing with these giants - get in it while you can on (semi) your terms.

 

[Serpens]

you already know what's coming for all the MB cars. It's simple economies of scale. Not even MB can afford to build different infotainments. That's once again why OEMs should just cooperate with Google/Apple/Amazon and call it a day. No use competing with these giants - get in it while you can on (semi) your terms.

We haven't gotten to MB OS yet. They're not done here at all...will be very interesting to see the infotainment landscape in 2025.