SL/R231: Spy pics of the next SL Class
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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
“43, 53, 73,” those are all AMG type monikers. I don’t think I want an AMG SL. I really don’t want one with four cylinders, even if it has a rocket assist! Has AMG EVER built a quiet, comfortable, soft riding car? I don’t think so. Looks like Mighty Mouse won’t be going anywhere. 
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2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
I apologize if this has been posted before. Weirdly cool? Interesting.
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/m...ol-143665.html
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/m...ol-143665.html
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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I apologize if this has been posted before. Weirdly cool? Interesting.
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/m...ol-143665.html
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/m...ol-143665.html
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From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
The proffered rendering here has the belt-line/top interface looking surprisingly like the C and E convertibles that my wife and I saw yesterday when we stopped by RBM in Atlanta to check out Diamond White Metallic and Cardinal Red as possible colors for my SL. While looking at the C and the E, my wife commented that the cars looked rather frumpy/ungainly with their tops up, and I had to agree. The SLINO in the rendering has the same look to it, with the belt-line/top interface being the main culprit. The overall shape of the car (top up and, probably, down as well) is just not as graceful as the current model, though the front of the new car is rather nice. JMO...
Last edited by Dr. Manhattan; May 18, 2020 at 02:00 AM.
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Well, you're right, of course. I have no tangible proof, but my opinion is based on gut instinct that was developed during decades working on the production side of the industry at the plant level. I just can't escape the feeling that cost savings due to a shared platform (resulting in the necessity of abandoning the hard top) are the root cause of the change, rather than weight savings. "Concern over weight savings" sounds so much sexier/impressive in the press releases though, doesn't it? I could absolutely be wrong, but I don't think I am in this instance.
The proffered rendering here has the belt-line/top interface looking surprisingly like the C and E convertibles that my wife and I saw yesterday when we stopped by RBM in Atlanta to check out Diamond White Metallic and Cardinal Red as possible colors for my SL. While looking at the C and the E, my wife commented that the cars looked rather frumpy/ungainly with their tops up, and I had to agree. The SLINO in the rendering has the same look to it, with the belt-line/top interface being the main culprit. The overall shape of the car (top up and, probably, down as well) is just not as graceful as the current model, though the front of the new car is rather nice. JMO...
The proffered rendering here has the belt-line/top interface looking surprisingly like the C and E convertibles that my wife and I saw yesterday when we stopped by RBM in Atlanta to check out Diamond White Metallic and Cardinal Red as possible colors for my SL. While looking at the C and the E, my wife commented that the cars looked rather frumpy/ungainly with their tops up, and I had to agree. The SLINO in the rendering has the same look to it, with the belt-line/top interface being the main culprit. The overall shape of the car (top up and, probably, down as well) is just not as graceful as the current model, though the front of the new car is rather nice. JMO...
Mercedes is abandoning all their legacy standalone designs, such as the S-Class as well as the SL. Everything will based on modular platforms.
I am still puzzled by you disregarding the weight aspect and hang on to some conspiracy theory about hard tops. If pencil pushers had their way, the SL would be simply no more...
Mercedes appears to have to pay a Billion Dollar fine for not meeting their emissions targets (largely due to customers wanting SUV's). Weight and engine design is how you lower emissions... Interestingly, our AMG GTC does weigh less than the 911 Turbo Cab so apparently they can do that it they want to
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2023 S Class 2013 SL
Mercedes is abandoning all their legacy standalone designs, such as the S-Class as well as the SL. Everything will based on modular platforms.
Could you please explain the terms, legacy standalone designs and modular platforms? Thank you.
Could you please explain the terms, legacy standalone designs and modular platforms? Thank you.
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Not to butt in this discussion, but remember when Chevy, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Cadillac were all the same except for trim pieces and a few body panels?
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Not at all... Every Mercedes, apart from a a few models is based on one of several modular platforms. This has nothing to do with the skin of the car...
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MFA 2 (Modular Front Architecture) - A, B, CLA, GLA, GLB Class
MFR (Modular Rear Architecture) C, E Class & variants plus the new W223 S-Class
MHA (Modular High Architecture) - GLE, GLS Class etc.
MSA (Modular Sport Architecture) - new SL, AMG GT
MEA (Modular Electric Architecture) - EQ models
It just makes sense to use proven underpinnings (and apply them to another model). This makes more sense to develop cars faster and more reliably. All manufacturers do this.
For example the new Bentley Continental GT is based on the MSB platform which is also shared by the Porsche Panamera.
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As I am puzzled by your disregarding the cost savings aspect of the utilization of modular platforms. MB's use of the same platform for multiple vehicles will speed development of the concerned vehicles while reducing weight and emissions, yes, but those in themselves are all just aspects of the considerable cost savings...which I maintain is the core reason for the platform sharing that's resulting in the SLINO. BTW, I like your bathtub analogy...it better describes the look of their sedan-based convertibles, top-up.
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
As I am puzzled by your disregarding the cost savings aspect of the utilization of modular platforms. MB's use of the same platform for multiple vehicles will speed development of the concerned vehicles while reducing weight and emissions, yes, but those in themselves are all just aspects of the considerable cost savings...which I maintain is the core reason for the platform sharing that's resulting in the SLINO. BTW, I like your bathtub analogy...it better describes the look of their sedan-based convertibles, top-up.
The SL and a AMG GT are on a new MSA platform and it could easily could have a folding hard. Nothing speaks against it but weight...
But in the end we both bemoan the loss of the hard top, whatever the reason...
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If weight is such a huge issue, then WHY does MB insist on shoving their heavy, all glass, Panorama Roofs down our throats? I would have much preferred that my SL had an all steel or aluminum roof. The glass roof on the R231’s should have been optional. The fact that EVERY W222 S Class sedan delivered in the US and most other markets came with that enormous and heavy glass roof was ridiculous. It should have been optional, as it had been on the W221’s that came before it. I know that weight is a factor, but it would appear that MB uses the argument selectively, as an excuse for doing what they want to do, rather than what many of their customers would like them to do. And GEEZE! Isn’t the black, glass roof fad just SO played???
Last edited by Streamliner; May 20, 2020 at 07:36 PM.
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If weight is such a huge issue, then WHY does MB insist on shoving their heavy, all glass, Panorama Roofs down our throats? I would have much preferred that my SL had an all steel or aluminum roof. The glass roof on the R231’s should have been optional. The fact that EVERY W222 S Class sedan delivered in the US and most other markets came with that enormous and heavy glass roof was ridiculous. It should have been optional, as it had been on the W221’s that came before it. I know that weight is a factor, but it would appear that MB uses the argument selectively, as an excuse for doing what they want to do, rather than what many of their customers would like them to do. And GEEZE! Isn’t the black, glass roof fad just SO played???
In terms of benefit we are on the opposite ends. For me, a plain metal hard top is only marginally better than a soft top and not desirable.
With having only 4 months or so of true top down weather, the glass creates an airy cabin top up. If we were to live in CA and drive only top down, I frankly couldn’t care less what kind of roof the car has. We have enough cars to drive the right one for the occasion.
Here in MN, the hard top (with glass) made this a 4 season car.
I liked our R230 SL600 less than our SL55 as that car had the panorama roof.
All our R231’s had Magic Sky.
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Agreed. The glass roof is heavy.
In terms of benefit we are on the opposite ends. For me, a plain metal hard top is only marginally better than a soft top and not desirable.
With having only 4 months or so of true top down weather, the glass creates an airy cabin top up. If we were to live in CA and drive only top down, I frankly couldn’t care less what kind of roof the car has. We have enough cars to drive the right one for the occasion.
Here in MN, the hard top (with glass) made this a 4 season car.
I liked our R230 SL600 less than our SL55 as that car had the panorama roof.
All our R231’s had Magic Sky.
In terms of benefit we are on the opposite ends. For me, a plain metal hard top is only marginally better than a soft top and not desirable.
With having only 4 months or so of true top down weather, the glass creates an airy cabin top up. If we were to live in CA and drive only top down, I frankly couldn’t care less what kind of roof the car has. We have enough cars to drive the right one for the occasion.
Here in MN, the hard top (with glass) made this a 4 season car.
I liked our R230 SL600 less than our SL55 as that car had the panorama roof.
All our R231’s had Magic Sky.
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My point is that the glass roofs should be OPTIONAL! If half of the buyers did not go for it, what a tremendous total weight savings, which should, I would think, result in an increase in fuel economy. The SL & S Class are true luxury cars and, IMO, should be somewhat MORE customizable than the cars beneath them. You can get an E Class sedan with or without an all glass roof, but you don’t have that option on an S or an SL, which to my way of thinking is just NUTS! True luxury is having something the way YOU want it, not the way some bean counter decides you should have it. Of course, I have said this many times before, so I’ll post my own dead horse.
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More info on the next SL coming in 2021 as a 2022 Model. This article has an interesting 'rendering' that may provide more 'hints' as to the appearance of the final 2022 SL Class design...
(Click below and scroll down to the 2nd pic)
https://mercedesblog.com/the-next-20...eloped-by-amg/
(Click below and scroll down to the 2nd pic)
https://mercedesblog.com/the-next-20...eloped-by-amg/
Last edited by bob55; Jun 29, 2020 at 05:22 PM.
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Not a bad looking car but I'm not interested. There are other 2+2 soft top convertibles out there. The SL has given up their unique niche as one of the few retractable hardtops. The Corvette C8 hardtop convertible is a better fit for my needs.
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With regard to the pic you commented on, keep in mind, that pic is still just 'a rendering', and while it may provide some valid styling 'hints', it's still not an actual pic of the next SL Class...
