Spy pics below are apparently the first 'real' pics of the next SL Class. It provides a decent view of the shape, but it's still in a 'camouflage wrap' and it seems they went 'all out' to totally obscure the new 'soft top' that this model will have.


https://carbuzz.com/news/spied-first...21-mercedes-sl

 

Your eyes are better than mine. I couldn't tell anything about the car from those photos...except that the taillights look like they may have been lifted from a Porsche.

 

Not a buyer. I don't think this will be a big success.

 

soft top, and a 2+2, damn...no thanks.

 

To me, it looks like what it is: a car based on the AMG GT roadster architecture. I’m not a fan of the idea, but will wait until I see the finished product, before passing final judgement. One wonders what the current pandemic has done to the timeline for new vehicle releases at MB.

 

Did they finish the build-out of the current SL before closing the plant?

 

Good question. Isn’t there someone here who is still waiting for an ordered 2020 SL? I wonder if it was built. I have a 2020 S560 sedan on order and I am wondering if they will actually build the car or if they will cut the MY20 production short and start up the 2021 production, based on the time lost to the pandemic.

 

We will definitely get a new SL, especially because it will be the updated GT platform.
Loved our old SL's and have appreciated them being the best top down drivers with practicality and versatility (useful trunk, full coupe top up, ability to drive throughout the year), but after having the GTC I realize that the drive dynamics are handicapped.

Streamliner prefers the 6 cylinder engine primarily because the car feels more nimble & less front heavy while having sufficient power. I am V8 fan because of the torque and power. Our GTC has more power and yet is more nimble and agile than the SL450. Part of the reason is the front-mid engine. The SL engine sits on top of the front axle while the GT ones sit behind the axle.
It’s also faster than the SL63 while having better traction due to the transaxle (transmission is not attached to the engine and sits on the rear axle via carbon fibre driveshaft. Plus rear wheel steering.

What is missing on that car is the practicality and the ride is AMG-firm. The new SL will likely have variable AWD with torque vectoring and will be softer. So what not to like?

The usual culprits. Softtop and 2+2. Since these spy pics have been posted here a few times before, I will repeat my thoughts.
1. The soft top appears a reality but the spy pics also reveal a high lift trunk lid. This is not needed for a soft top unless a tonneau cover will be used to cover the soft top when down.
2. 2+2. I know people have been complaining about it but am not certain that the cabin size in the spy pics actually can support this. If it's just a piece of upholstery that looks like seats without any actually seating space I am fine with that. That is also nothing new for SL's and nobody complained about those before (R107)

I for one am exited about the car. It will be latest tech for a change. The only thing that will change with a certain degree of certainty is the price. It will go up.

 

Do you think that it will come with a removable hardtop?

 

If it does, the person who gave it the green light,, needs to be taken away by the guys in the white coats. Luxury car buyers in 2020, will NOT put up with removable hard tops. Been there, done that, WAY too many times—decades ago.

 

I have a 2020 on order. It has been built ( May 4) and is waiting to be shipped. I, too, was worried that it wouldn't get built, but what would they have done with all those parts?

 

Zero chance. The only removable hardtop that people put up with these days is a small roof plate that can be stored in the car (a la Corvette) and Mercedes wouldn’t offer such a low tech solution on their cars.

 

Having had a couple of cars with a removeable hardtop, A Miata and a 3 series BMW, I can vouch that they are a big PIA. Difficult to remove and install and even more of a hassle to store safely.

 

That’s great that it got built already. Wishing you the best of luck in getting it shipped & delivered quickly. I wonder where they are on building the final 231’s or if they are done.

 

Ah yes, I recall the days of the garage ceiling rope and pulley system we employed on our '79 SL. When it was on, it was great, but what a PITA to guess when you would, or would not, need it when traveling off for the weekend. Of course then you had the cute little roller cart with the vertical storage position. Do not miss those days.

 

The mid-engine 1974 Fiat X1/9 that I owned and enjoyed for 30 years had a removable hardtop that easily stored in the front "trunk". There was also a rear trunk behind the engine. The B pillar served as a roll bar. Here's a photo with "BLITZEN" my SLK55AMG.

 

Gordon - great pic !

 

Wolfman, would you kindly explain, again, to me tne reason they are doing away with the retractable hard top? When I told my wife, (who knows nothing about cars other than to put gas and push the start button) that the new SL would be a soft top her response was, good grief why in the world would they do that???

 

There are those of us who truly love the SL but the reality is that no matter what MB does in the next version there will never be large sales of this model. Folks want more practical crossover or SUV type vehicles to drive and only those with lots of extra cash will ever be able to look at this type of car. I personally believe sales will jump somewhat if a 100% electric SL comes out but even then it depends on the price of gasoline and the economy at that time. The SL was never made to be practical. It has always been a status symbol.

 

I could go on and on, chapter & verse as to my thoughts on this. Indeed, I HAVE gone on and on about it before. Bottom line for ME is that the folks in Stuttgart CHEAPED OUT! Instead of taking all the great qualities of the R231 and building on them, it would appear that they have thrown the baby out with the bath water, and are dolling up an AMG GT and calling it an SL. It may be a great car, but it will be a total and complete COMPROMISE. Nobody needs yet another super powerful, insanely quick & fast car. There are enough of those already. The R231 was special and unique during its production run. I don’t see this new car being that at all. IMHO, this new car will be a SLINO: SL-IN-NAME-ONLY, but I will reserve my final judgement until I actually see & drive the new car.

 

I can only make assumptions but as has been pointed out, weight is the main culprit. The SL's folding hardtop is a full folding roof (roof + rear window + C-pillar). On top of it, it has a glass top to make the cabin feel more airy. The heavier the roof, the stronger the mechanics/hydraulics have to be and the larger the trunk has to be to store the top.
The R231 full top with mechanics likely clocks in at about 250 lbs or so. A soft top stores in half the space and weighs around 50 lbs. A hardtop mechanism a la Ferrari, McLaren or C8 at around 80 lbs.

If true that the cars cabin grows (more seats), the hard top weight would increase and so would the trunk size unless the roof top is split into two panels (Volvo, BMW 4 series). This adds more complexity, reliability issues, weight and design issues with a glass roof.

While few people in the US care, German companies must comply with environmental regulations in the EU and can be fined Billions of Dollars (well Euros) if they miss CO2 emission targets. This is not some future lofty goal to go after; they have to do this now. So far it looks like Mercedes is missing the 2021 target and is likely facing a 999 Million Euro fine.
https://eandt.theiet.org/content/art...sions-targets/
This is where weight savings and new, smaller engines come into play, even for AMG models. For example, the new AMG C63s will move from a V8 engine down to a 4 cylinder hybrid.

Last but not least, the smaller folding size of a soft top offers more design flexibility. A hard top limits of how the rear-end of the car can be designed.

 

Agree, I also need to see and drive the next SL before having an opinion. While I love our AMG GTC for what it is, I posted a comparison while having both cars. The SL came out on top in many areas as the car is the "Swiss army knife" of convertibles. It is just a very practicable car and very good in what it does, as convertibles go
Said said, in my eyes the AMG feels more like the successor of the original 1957 SL300 roadster than the current SL. A real sports car, endless hood, feel of the road with its suspension, awesome sound, great steering, nimble. So I don't mind Mercedes using the platform and make it luxurious.

So far, the best SL has always been the next one. I am optimistic this will continue

 

Thanks Wolfman, appreciate your knowledge. And explanation. Now, I understand, especially considering the significant govermental penalties.

 

I talked to my local dealership today and learned that," the last car is going to be built on June 4th. That"s the latest one I see (on Netstar). All are now in production status. Nothing more can be ordered or changed."

 

End of an era.