SL-Class [Renders] 2021 Mercedes-Benz SL


The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (marketed as Mercedes-AMG SL since 2022) is a grand touring roadster manufactured by Mercedes-Benz since 1954.
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^ Daimler may be trying to give us a hint? :)

"To define the future of an iconic roadster, you need to know it's brand heritage. The new Mercedes-Benz SL."

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The new Mercedes-Benz SL | Daimler
What a pretty collection.
 
Oh drat ! What a buzzkill.

And I thought that this entry was going to be a teaser for the genuinely new AMG-developed SL successor.
 
Now you know something is not going right when you can get a SL450 with the same bodykit, 19/20' wheels, and quilted exclusive interior as the SL65 (which is much more than twice the price).
IMG_0830.webp
IMG_0832.webp


If I were calling the shots at MB, I would take the SL off life support now, and let the GT Cabrio (looks/sportiness) & S Cabrio (looks/comfort) do it's thing till 2020. It's getting sad at this point for the R231 SL.
 
Now you know something is not going right when you can get a SL450 with the same bodykit, 19/20' wheels, and quilted exclusive interior as the SL65 (which is much more than twice the price).
IMG_0830.webp
IMG_0832.webp


If I were calling the shots at MB, I would take the SL off life support now, and let the GT Cabrio (looks/sportiness) & S Cabrio (looks/comfort) do it's thing till 2020. It's getting sad at this point for the R231 SL.
I guess they need to sweeten the deal.

What are the sales figures for the R231?
 
Dismal would be an understatement. This is the first model year of the facelift, btw.

Europe:
Screen Shot 2017-10-04 at 10.20.16 PM.webp


U.S:
Screen Shot 2017-10-04 at 10.21.35 PM.webp


Totals (look how hot the R230 used to be).

Europe:
Screen Shot 2017-10-04 at 10.23.06 PM.webp


US:
Screen Shot 2017-10-04 at 10.23.34 PM.webp


In the U.S there was no such thing as a MY2010 SL since MB skipped a year due to declining sales (facelift was not well-received), and MY11 was a limited import.

Source: Mercedes-Benz SL European sales figures
Mercedes-Benz SL US car sales figures
 
Dismal would be an understatement. This is the first model year of the facelift, btw.

Europe:
Screen Shot 2017-10-04 at 10.20.16 PM.webp


U.S:
Screen Shot 2017-10-04 at 10.21.35 PM.webp


Totals (look how hot the R230 used to be).

Europe:
Screen Shot 2017-10-04 at 10.23.06 PM.webp


US:
Screen Shot 2017-10-04 at 10.23.34 PM.webp


In the U.S there was no such thing as a MY2010 SL since MB skipped a year due to declining sales (facelift was not well-received), and MY11 was a limited import.

Source: Mercedes-Benz SL European sales figures
Mercedes-Benz SL US car sales figures
That's great sako97 :usa7uh: thank you very much.

It looks like the R231 might become a rare Mercedes for future collectors.
The SL was once the default car-of-choice for the newly rich. Now the market offers so many choices.
 
Now you know something is not going right when you can get a SL450 with the same bodykit, 19/20' wheels, and quilted exclusive interior as the SL65 (which is much more than twice the price).
IMG_0830.webp
IMG_0832.webp


If I were calling the shots at MB, I would take the SL off life support now, and let the GT Cabrio (looks/sportiness) & S Cabrio (looks/comfort) do it's thing till 2020. It's getting sad at this point for the R231 SL.

They would never. The SL is apparently the longest running nameplate in the auto industry.
 
Dismal would be an understatement. This is the first model year of the facelift, btw.

Europe:
Screen Shot 2017-10-04 at 10.20.16 PM.webp


U.S:
Screen Shot 2017-10-04 at 10.21.35 PM.webp


Totals (look how hot the R230 used to be).

Europe:
Screen Shot 2017-10-04 at 10.23.06 PM.webp


US:
Screen Shot 2017-10-04 at 10.23.34 PM.webp


In the U.S there was no such thing as a MY2010 SL since MB skipped a year due to declining sales (facelift was not well-received), and MY11 was a limited import.

Source: Mercedes-Benz SL European sales figures
Mercedes-Benz SL US car sales figures

I do want to point out that convertible sales, especially large ones, outside of perhaps the 911 are all seeing declining sales. They just aren’t en vogue anymore.
 
I think our perception of what a 'sports' car is, has changed.

Yes indeed, and as others have said, there are so many more to choose these days. The days of Mercedes literally owned this market with the SL is long gone. The new SL will have to battle with anything and everything between the Ferrari Portofino on one end and the BMW 6/8 on the other. That is a very tough task but I'm sure Mercedes-AMG would be up to the task.
 
One of the biggest problems MB is facing is the fact that the Chinese market has become its most important source of revenue (maybe after the US but they are close).

The Chinese are extremely serious about putting down sometimes up to 40% of their income on a BBA even just for status symbol purposes. Chinese customers don't like SL, SLK or the like. They like things BIG. Therefore every model is pretty much sold only in LWB version in China. THerefore, I see MB management highly affected by what sells well in China in designing their product lines.

It's a shame because as a proud R230 owner, I'd love to see the revival of the SL (Gordon Wagner has also talked about that dream before). But the way things are going, I suspect the SL model just might have jumped the shark.

Yes indeed, and as others have said, there are so many more to choose these days. The days of Mercedes literally owned this market with the SL is long gone. The new SL will have to battle with anything and everything between the Ferrari Portofino on one end and the BMW 6/8 on the other. That is a very tough task but I'm sure Mercedes-AMG would be up to the task.
 
The Chinese are extremely serious about putting down sometimes up to 40% of their income on a BBA even just for status symbol purposes. Chinese customers don't like SL, SLK or the like. They like things BIG. Therefore every model is pretty much sold only in LWB version in China. THerefore, I see MB management highly affected by what sells well in China in designing their product lines.

The days of driving a red SL53 AMG while talking in a cellphone are past. Few cars are as iconic or symbolic of luxury as the SL but it's no longer the dream luxury cars. Similar to big saloons like the S-Class, it's been cannibalized by SUVs bought not for their practicality but their physical presence on the road.

Mercedes need to reinvent the SL and broaden its appeal to a younger audience. It's a tall order as even the sexy F-Type it's struggling.
 
While the "SL" moniker has tremendous equity, the actual relevance of the model in its' traditional ("Pagoda" SL onwards) form has diminished substantially. The highly impressive AMG GTs' leave little if any room for the SL.

Should it continue to exist, it is in dire need of reinvention. Most compelling could be a 2+2 bonafide GT in coupe and canvas-top form. Perhaps an "EQ" car ?
 
Should it continue to exist, it is in dire need of reinvention. Most compelling could be a 2+2 bonafide GT in coupe and canvas-top form. Perhaps an "EQ" car ?

That's exactly what they're doing. Coupe hasn't been confirmed but a canvas top 2+2 is certainly on its away according to insiders.
 
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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz Group AG is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Established in 1926, Mercedes-Benz Group produces consumer luxury vehicles and light commercial vehicles badged as Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, and Mercedes-Maybach. Its origin lies in Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft's 1901 Mercedes and Carl Benz's 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, which is widely regarded as the first internal combustion engine in a self-propelled automobile. The slogan for the brand is "the best or nothing".
Official website: Mercedes-Benz (Global), Mercedes-Benz (USA)

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