SL-Class [Renders] 2021 Mercedes-Benz SL

[Shellshock]

I really wonder what some of you actually expect from a car brand? I mean you really want to have no coherent design, and make every single model look completely different in every way, so it’s like each model belongs to a completely different brand?
Currently no 2 Mercedes models share the same headlights or rear lights, or the grill at least in dimensions. They follow one design language, but all are unique in their own way, it’s the sum of the details that matters, and how it is combined, not the fact that - “oh the headlights are similar to other coupe Mercedes headlights” (what a surprise…), “oh the rear is similar to some other models” (oh what a surprise again…) - there is no fricken model in their whole lineup that looks the same, that’s the point, that’s the difference you guys usually appreciate when new cars come out, a healthy dose of evolution, not necessarily revolution….

I’m also surprised that Sonder who claims to be some god given design expert can’t take in consideration details, can’t see the forest for the tree, and saying that this absolutely gorgeous, design wise I think at least AM Vantage or a smaller Continental GT level looking car is - boring - while the EQS is the epitome of great exterior design, leaves quite a few question marks … lol

I really wonder why no one complains that Audi has the same grill shape for like 12 years now (for me not a problem), or that BMW keeps a variation of the double rings headlights on every car for many decades now - again not a problem for me - but why isn’t that boring, but a 5 year old style direction is?

I think it’s a very sexy car, it’s quite close to a concept car in proportions, not like the new E class with messed up ones. Compared to previous SL models, this is after a long while something that many will desire, as oppose to the outgoing one. Compared to the renderings which were sometimes quite nice, this exceeded my expectations, looking forward to see more.

they wanted i guess the SL not to have 4 wheels but 6 to be different
Or think about it , if the new SL didnt had any parts from other mercedes elements i BET they could find those new SL elements that comes from other brand from present or from 100 years ago...Again, im very surprised that they dont say that it has in total 4 round wheels like any other car
For me if they come up with one model that takes the best front from their line-up, the best side profile from their line-up, and the best rear design...its magnificent
Now, my taste of course differ from yours, so, they did what they thought it is the most beloved design. the grill probably is the most loved from their mercedes cars and so on...when ive ordered the S months ago, i was asked to do a an Q&A...and i bet they do all over the world this and based on this, they make the next model

 

[Shellshock]

Time to sack that terrible design chief they've had for so many years. That man is a complete and total tool. Not to be taken seriously. Incredible he manages to keep his position, and that can only mean one thing: he is blackmailing the Board somehow.



Their boring ass ICE cars look downright heavenly compared to their BEV designs.....even this SL.

Design sells in general, and since Mercedes is selling more and more with this guy....why they should let him go from business perspective ?!Maybe he is even cheaper than the former designer
We are voting the design and the staff behind these designs with our wallets

 

[BVC500]

I would just say he's long in the tooth and time for him to move on!

 

[klier]

We are voting the design and the staff behind these designs with our wallets

Well I will likely never in my life spend even a dime on anything made by Mercedes, and I still have to see all those horrible cars every day!
Sad times.

Not to mention, 3/4 of people are retarded idiots with incredibly poor taste, so these sales mean nothing to me. BMW too breaks record after record sales wise, but am I happy with their cars? f#ck no!

I would just say he's long in the tooth and time for him to move on!

If you're talking about Wagener, then AMEN.
I've been saying this for years. It's all in the archives.

He'd make a great combo with Frank Stephenson. He can co-host his YT channel and randomly comment on other car designs.....

 

[Serpens]

All I have to say is, I hope it’s obvious now that Mercedes doesn’t think of the SL in the same way people in this forum do. The SL has long since been eclipsed as Mercedes’ flagship but for some reason people in here keep thinking times haven’t changed.

The SL, and convertibles in general, are effectively niche models for Mercedes and no longer command their full budget attention. This car being twinned with the AMG GT showed this right from the start. This is a peace offering for the low amount of high end convertible buyers that are left.

I fully agree that the styling isn’t distinct from the rest of the lineup. I do think it looks sharp and athletic which is a welcome change.

 

[Wunderkind]

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. But the styling of the new SL is as far removed from the current SL as can be, and Mercedes AMG should be applauded. It might share a lot of styling cues from other Mercedes models but it somehow retains a lot of the AMG DNA especially the front-end.

The AMG design team had a tough job on their hands to make the SL look both timeless and striking at the same time. Have they managed to strike a balance between the two? I think so. But the SL in the scoop looks to be a top of the line SL63 with those huge wheels and quad exhausts. The low-end and mid-tier models will definitely look less yummy with smaller wheels and less aggressive front-end design.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Their boring ass ICE cars look downright heavenly compared to their BEV designs.....even this SL.

If you are referring to the EQS, I don't know if I'd call it boring. Ungainly? Sure, especially in light shades of paint. The hype(r)screen not withstanding, the interior looks to be lovely place to spend some time in. I am hoping once their EV initiative is more fully integrated into their mainstream line-up, that their design isn't as balleen-like. That said, I can also appreciate that M-B took some (baby) steps in exploring and exploiting how a BEV doesn't necessarily need to conform to limitations inherent to ICEVs.

And while I agree that the Wag-meister is getting long in the tooth, I don't expect a new design language on something niche when a) they are on the path of going full BEV where they are already embarking on a new design language, and b) introducing a new design language that would then upstage the recently introduced S and C class. Do people really think M-B would sabotage sales of their more bread-and-butter offerings to appease a bunch of keyboard warriors? I mean...

Frankly, despite not being a fan of the headlight seen on these grainy pics, I think this car will look quite handsome, especially in the long-run. I wish it came with the inline-6 though. While I understand why the engine choices are what they are due to AMG developing this car, I am still a bit flummoxed by excluding that engine. I just can imagine driving this thing along the Mediterranean coast motivated by the buttery smoothness of that inline-6.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

If you are referring to the EQS, I don't know if I'd call it boring. Ungainly? Sure, especially in light shades of paint. The hype(r)screen not withstanding, the interior looks to be lovely place to spend some time in. I am hoping once their EV initiative is more fully integrated into their mainstream line-up, that their design isn't as balleen-like. That said, I can also appreciate that M-B took some (baby) steps in exploring and exploiting how a BEV doesn't necessarily need to conform to limitations inherent to ICEVs.

And while I agree that the Wag-meister is getting long in the tooth, I don't expect a new design language on something niche when a) they are on the path of going full BEV where they are already embarking on a new design language, and b) introducing a new design language that would then upstage the recently introduced S and C class. Do people really think M-B would sabotage sales of their more bread-and-butter to appease a bunch of keyboard warriors? I mean...

Frankly, despite not being a fan of the headlight seen on these grainy pics, I think this car will look quite handsome, especially in the long-run. I wish it came with the inline-6 though. While I understand why the engine choices are what they are due to AMG developing this car, I am still a bit flummoxed by excluding that engine. I just can imagine driving this thing along the Mediterranean coast motivated by the buttery softness of that inline-6.

But will it have the V8 in 2022? It was not included in the list of the affected models, but it could be only for vehicles which are yet on the market.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

But will it have the V8 in 2022? It was not included in the list of the affected models, but it could be only for vehicles which are yet on the market.

?‍

Pure speculation on my part, but I think that the SL will be a MY2023 car when it hits the market. So too early to tell if it'll be affected?

 

[klugscheisser87]

this is new SL

Damn Mercedes, is it really that difficult to put a little effort to change the headlight design for one of its most iconic car??

Cutting just a part of that A-Class graphic would make the front look very unique, but no…

 

[leylandi]

The world premiere has been postponed to the end of 2021.

Therefore, it will not take place at the festival in Pebble Beach or at the IAA 2021 in Munich at the beginning of September.

This is probably due on the one hand to the lack of chips and on the other hand to the significant delay in the A MG E Performance (P3 plug-in hybrid) technology. The frontrunner AMG GT 4-door (X290) with around 816 hp was supposed to start in July / August 2021. Now it will only be presented at the IAA 2021 and will not reach customers until the beginning of 2022. This also leads to delays in the S 63 AMG E Performance and the new C 63 AMG E Performance.

Because the new SL as well as its brother the new AMG GT Coupé are heavily dependent on the P3 plug-in hybrid technology. The P3 plug-in hybrid technology is to be used in 50% of the engine variants. On the one hand with the M139 4-cylinder and the M177 V8-BiTurbo. Both engines should also be available without the 400 volt high-voltage technology.
They will also be available as mild hybrids.

source: jesmb

 

[SKY]

Damn Mercedes, is it really that difficult to put a little effort to change the headlight design for one of its most iconic car??

Cutting just a part of that A-Class graphic would make the front look very unique, but no…

Exactly. This is what should have been done. It's sad to read how the most devoted fans will just like everything.

To me, A-Class frontlights just ruin the design.

 

[Ozy]

OMG, Poor Audi R8, your design is ruined, since a cheap sibling has similar headlights, how dare Audi designers use similar designs?!

….The A4 should have looked like a Honda Civic, then it wouldn’t be a problem right?…

Design is subjective of course, some might not like a design, period, but saying that something is ugly or boring just because it has some coherence with the rest of the lineup of the brand… well, good for you then…

 

[dalab]

Real question that R8 came out first than the A4, right?

First impression a little disappointing, of course I will have my opinion until I see in official photos how everything is integrated with what we already know is a most beautiful profile.

But at first it seems a bit petty what they did in terms of taillights, front lights and grille

 

[klier]

If you are referring to the EQS, I don't know if I'd call it boring.

No, I said the ICE part is boring. The BEV part is anything but boring. Wish it was in fact.

And regarding your original question: Yes, it's not hard to come up with some original design for the ICE cars. You make it sound like it would be something very special to do, which it's not. It's just design.

Exactly. This is what should have been done. It's sad to read how the most devoted fans will just like everything.

To me, A-Class frontlights just ruin the design.

Yeah, and for some 'devoted fans' the headlights look excellent, I do not see a problem with that nor do I understand why you think it's sad. It's sad because they shouldn't like it because you don't like it? What's sad?

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

And regarding your original question: Yes, it's not hard to come up with some original design for the ICE cars. You make it sound like it would be something very special to do, which it's not. It's just design.

THat's not the point I am arguing. What I am trying to say is why would they introduce a new design language with something so niche only to abandon it so quickly when a majority of their line-up is going the BEV route? Why introduce a new design language that'll make the recently introduced C and S class look old-hat and further reduce their shelf-life? And if it's not difficult to do, what you do regarding the SL's design?

 

[SKY]

Yeah, and for some 'devoted fans' the headlights look excellent, I do not see a problem with that nor do I understand why you think it's sad. It's sad because they shouldn't like it because you don't like it? What's sad?

It's sad trying to justify whatever a company you like does. Period.

 

[klier]

It's sad trying to justify whatever a company you like does. Period.

Sure but you can still be a fan and actually like this car. Nothing sad about that
Now back to the car....

 

[Tuffode]

This is no S, its one level below, a2 door CLS.

If its replacing the AMG GT, its fine, less track car and more comfy but if its replacing the S Coupe, its failed.

uh, the SL is replacing the SL.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Am I the only one who’s getting literally sick, reading about a SL and PHEV (plug-in-hybrid technology) in one sentence?
My toothbrush has plug-in technology as well.