SL-Class [Renders] 2021 Mercedes-Benz SL

[hoffmeister_fan]

I feel like this covering ground for both the SL and the SLC, allowing the space for an AMG-GT successor in the line-up.

 

[Serpens]

I feel like this covering ground for both the SL and the SLC, allowing the space for an AMG-GT successor in the line-up.

In what way? This will not be a cheap car. I fully expect there to be heavy price overlap with the AMG GT.

 

[Merc1]

I don't like how it looks, and I think the all AMG slant is a mistake but oh well. Just looking forward to the S-Class reveal.

M

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

In what way? This will not be a cheap car. I fully expect there to be heavy price overlap with the AMG GT.

Length-wise, it looks like it's between the current SL and the recently departed SLC. At a quick glance (empahasis on "quick"), it looks like a slightly longer Z4. And, for sure, this will be taking up the current SL's price range.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I don't like how it looks, and I think the all AMG slant is a mistake but oh well. Just looking forward to the S-Class reveal.

M

Yeah the looks under camo aren't really thrilling me either. Seems the SL might be getting pushed down market as a cheaper variant to the GT roadster.

 

[Rolf]

Close up pics of front and rear lights. This SL looks alot sleeker and sportier than before, even smaller in size compared to the previous R231. It looks alot like the current GT and GT 4dr at the rear with slim tail lights. Maybe will be the best driving SL in many years, probably reinvent Mercedes as a desirable sports car brand. Hope the interior is spectacular as well.

 

[Ozy]

Close up pics of front and rear lights. This SL looks alot sleeker and sportier than before, even smaller in size compared to the previous R231. It looks alot like the current GT and GT 4dr at the rear with slim tail lights. Maybe will be the best driving SL in many years, probably reinvent Mercedes as a desirable sports car brand. Hope the interior is spectacular as well.

I’m really curious about the interior, how will they blend the design from the new S class and from the GT. Maybe we will have a glimpse into the next gen of AMG interiors.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

I can appreciate that the bonnet does not appear to be "excessively" long. While being a fan of cabin-back, pronounced bonnet architectures, the "clown shoe" silhouette of the AMG GT and its' SLS predecessor always struck me as being a bit "too much".

 

[Matski]

So, looking at this size of this, I can't help but wonder if perhaps this is the platform that the reports suggested Nissan was working with Mercedes on for the next Nissan Z. In any case, with no S-Class coupe there does seem to be a bit of a gap at the top of the Range for a luxurious 4 seat soft top.

 

[TheNewBATMAN]

@Matski Lucius, could you do your signature wheelbase-size comparison? Is it really smaller than the current generation ?

 

[Wunderkind]

So, looking at this size of this, I can't help but wonder if perhaps this is the platform that the reports suggested Nissan was working with Mercedes on for the next Nissan Z. In any case, with no S-Class coupe there does seem to be a bit of a gap at the top of the Range for a luxurious 4 seat soft top.

I doubt Nissan can afford to use this platform. Maybe a Maybach roadster in the pipeline?

 

[Serpens]

So, looking at this size of this, I can't help but wonder if perhaps this is the platform that the reports suggested Nissan was working with Mercedes on for the next Nissan Z. In any case, with no S-Class coupe there does seem to be a bit of a gap at the top of the Range for a luxurious 4 seat soft top.

I think you all are getting really tricked by these photos.

-First of all, the next generation Nissan Z is going to be on a heavily reworked version of its current platform. I have had this confirmed several times over the last year. You may have noticed that at no point in Nissan and MB's now-terminated collaboration did Nissan actually contribute to the modular platforms. They used each other's platforms for various products but never jointly developed them.
-Second of all, Mercedes first announced the MSA platform this car is on back in 2014. This isn't some random change in direction.
-Lastly, the current SL isn't as long as some of you think at ~182 inches. That's shorter than a C-class cabrio. This new SL is going to be within a few inches of that size.

I'm personally in love with the look. The SL is finally looking athletic again. In reality this is how the SL should've evolved last go around- it was quite clear by the middle of the last decade that cruisers were on their way out. Sporty offerings are what generate sales in this shrinking class.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

it was quite clear by the middle of the last decade that cruisers were on their way out. Sporty offerings are what generate sales in this shrinking class.

True, true.

It's funny, the S coupe is the very definition of a cruiser and something I would not find as appealing as, say a 911, especially 6 year ago upon its debut. But damn, especially in Cabrio form, it's one of my favorite modern-day Benz. It just oozed so much class yet is relatively restrained. Just looking at it, I just want to hop in, open up the top and leisurely drive a nice coastal road and not give a toss about anything else. *Sigh*

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Dependent on the scalability of the new SL/AMG GT platform, there may be a possibility that we will see some sort of enlongated, stand alone Maybach derivative. I have no clue exactly what this car may be. A luxurious bonafide 2+2 two door coupe/cab ? A 4 door sedoupe ? But whatever it may be, it's very probably a BEV, as massive torque and refinement will be of absolute essence. M-Bs' Vision IAA 2015 and the pair of Maybach electric coupe/cab concepts may offer some relevant hints.

 

[Serpens]

Dependent on the scalability of the new SL/AMG GT platform, there may be a possibility that we will see some sort of enlongated, stand alone Maybach derivative. I have no clue exactly what this car may be. A luxurious bonafide 2+2 two door coupe/cab ? A 4 door sedoupe ? But whatever it may be, it's very probably a BEV, as massive torque and refinement will be of absolute essence. M-Bs' Vision IAA 2015 and the pair of Maybach electric coupe/cab concepts may offer some relevant hints.

No reason to base it off MSA if that were the case- that platform is optimized for the use of a transaxle and very sporting driving dynamics. An all electric super luxury vehicle befitting of the Maybach name would be better off using the skateboard MEA platform, which is flexible and optimized for EV use. An ICE luxury vehicle would be better off using MRA II.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I’m really curious about the interior, how will they blend the design from the new S class and from the GT. Maybe we will have a glimpse into the next gen of AMG interiors.

I am curious as well. An SL is a more emotive car that deserves a more emotional interior, and an interior similar to the S would seem out of place.

 

[Rolf]

Looks like the exterior design certainly will be more emotional and turn more heads than the current R231, but hoping the interior will follow the same theme and be a sports car orientated. Maybe something in line with what is been offered in the AMG One, but a little more luxurious by using wood and leathers instead of carbon fibre and black alcantara and a current AMG steering wheel will work very nicely in my opinion.

 

[fortuner]

I have a feeling the interior will be very much 90 percent based on S class probably different air vents just my guess.

 

[Ozy]

I have a feeling the interior will be very much 90 percent based on S class probably different air vents just my guess.

It would be good if its just as different from the S class as the coupe was in the previous generation. Most likely since its sportier it will have the other elements from AMG, but an approach like with the GT 4 door would be good, just closer to the S than AMG

 

[Centurion]

Maybe will be the best driving SL in many years, probably reinvent Mercedes as a desirable sports car brand.

Mercedes challenge will be to make it clear what the SL is and isn’t. A cruiser, GT Sports car or a sports car?

They were very clear with the AMG GT even if the ride quality has at times been described as a bit too firm. However I envision the new AMG GT and the SL complementing one other.

Pricing will be interesting as there is a big vacuum between a C63/M4 and a 911CS. The Cayman GTS and GT4 are incredibly strong propositions. What makes them great is the low depreciation and that buying one new puts you closer on the ladder to a GT3 or GT3RS allocation.

I am very excited about the SL but Mercedes have a big job ahead at making it desirable.