SL-Class [Renders] 2021 Mercedes-Benz SL

[SDNR]

^ 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."

The new Mercedes-Benz SL | Daimler

What a pretty collection.

 

[lukeswiss]

^ 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."

The new Mercedes-Benz SL | Daimler

Interesting that article mentions "new 300 SL Panamericana-style radiator grille"

That never came ?

 

[Deleted member 1071]

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.

 

[sako97]

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).

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.

 

[Rolf]

2020 Pure SL Concept by Matthias Bottcher.

Interesting wheelarches and front end?

 

[SDNR]

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).

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?

 

[sako97]

Dismal would be an understatement. This is the first model year of the facelift, btw.

Europe:

U.S:

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

Europe:

US:

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

 

[SDNR]

Dismal would be an understatement. This is the first model year of the facelift, btw.

Europe:

U.S:

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

Europe:

US:

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 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.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

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).

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.

 

[Sovereign]

^ 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."

The new Mercedes-Benz SL | Daimler

The bottom 3 SLs are magnificent and timeless, the middle 3 are beautiful and modern for their times and the top one is the 21st century ugly design..

 

[Serpens]

Dismal would be an understatement. This is the first model year of the facelift, btw.

Europe:

U.S:

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

Europe:

US:

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.

 

[lukeswiss]

I think our perception of what a 'sports' car is, has changed.

 

[Wunderkind]

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.

 

[wallstbear]

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.

 

[Star&Car]

I'll be dead if the SL goes away.let's pray.

 

[wallstbear]

Stylistically they will have to do something magical maybe an electric motor could allow it.

I'll be dead if the SL goes away.let's pray.

 

[Centurion]

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.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

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 ?

 

[fortuner]

Make it like the maybach concept and you have a winner and the SL back with a bang.

 

[Serpens]

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.