I posted this in the W222 forum, but thought you folks might like to see it as well:
https://www.automobilemag.com/news/m...38BF14A229F99E

Me too. I don’t care for the driverless thing. Despite all we hear about it, I just don’t see it happening on public roads anytime real soon. The systems may work fine in controlled environments, but as we know, public roads offer pretty much everything BUT a controlled environment. It’s actually going to be quite entertaining watching these companies trip all over themselves trying to get it done. Unfortunately, I truly believe that some folks will suffer terribly, when these gizmos make mistakes, as we know they will. I hope we can all steer clear of these things while they are testing them.

So, our beloved and unique SL becomes another 2+2, a format for which its uselessness is matched only by its design stupidity. Years ago, the 2+2 concept was introduced as a means of lowering insurance rates on what otherwise would be categorized as “sports cars”. Obviously, the
effectiveness of that canard has long passed although the facade has continued. I regret my current SL will be my last, and, frankly, nearing 73, I just don’t want to forgo the luxury absent from the AMG GT. How sad!

I chuckle at the phrase “zero emission range” as if charging the batteries on these cars causes no emissions back at the electrical generation plants..
PS- This article confirms that I now own my last SL. Good by dear friend.

Just throwing billions at battery technology does not automatically mean a viable way to power these new cars. Ever since Edison studied and experimented with batteries many individuals and companies have tried to improve the technology without economic results. MB and other car manufacturers planning on changing their whole production model without a viable base to run these machines is in my opinion a financial disaster. No foundation under this sky scraper.

When folks find out that they do not own the battery packs in “their” cars, are only leasing, and it will cost 6-8k to replace them heads are going to spin.....

You guys are overthinking this. Batteries will outlast the car. Even the ancient Panasonic batteries in Tesla’s have shown this to be a complete non-issue.

As cars have more computer tech in them, so will the speed of improvements increase.
I expect solid state batteries to resolve this discussion altogether

I owned several 911 Targas in the 70’s and thought them to be the perfect open air drivers. So, I drove a new Targa. It looks great and drives great, but with the top and the side windows open, when traveling at only 40mph, the wind blows right into my neck, which I found quite uncomfortable and what I consider to be a design flaw. With the windows up, it was nice, but configured as I would want it, it was also $180K.
The current SL is a comparative bargain and way more comfortable.

The very first year that the 911 Targa was available, was I believe 1968. On that car, the rear window was a zip-out, plastic window. The next year, it was changed to a fixed, glass window and has been that way ever since. The current model has the glass window “open” to receive the retractable top, but then closes and remains that way. Here is a video: