If you happen to be in the Monterey California area this week, be sure to drop by Pebble Beach where Mercedes is showing the new SL (in the first concourse up the hill from the Lodge), as part of the Concours d’Elegance program. To see it, you have to sign a consent form, let them scan your driver’s license, and put your phones and cameras in sealable pouches - no pics or videos allowed, but you can talk about it. Anyway …
Nice looking car, bigger and wider than current SL, with the official launch date sometime in October. Soft top only, non-foldable rear seats. SL55 AMG Will be in the $140k range, and the SL65 will be in the $170k range. MB is considering other models, but nothing firm yet. Big touch panel in the center console, like Tesla’s. Unlike the S, you can tilt it slightly, but it still doesn’t look well integrated. They claim the trunk can hold two golf bags, but unless the 2nd one is real small, I don’t see it fitting.
Other Mercedes news: S convertible and coupe are being discontinued, so only convertibles will be SL, E and C models. No more European Delivery Program, which was a great experience when we bought our SL in 2017.
Final thoughts: I’m sure that it will be a great car, just too impractical for us given the size - for parking and curvy, mountain roads.
Knew about the 4 seats and soft top but hadn’t realized it was bigger than the current SL. I guess it really is a replacement for the S class cabriolet?
Could be, but pure AMG, without the luxury / comfort of the S cab. My wife might go back Saturday or Sunday, and I’ll ask her to estimate the length and width in steps, and then do a quick comparison/conversion. Eager to hear other members’ opinions, if they go.
Also, if you go, they’ll email you an “appreciation bonus” of up to $2000 off, if you purchase or lease any new Benz, other than G, S or EQ, by Feb 9. You’ll get the full $2000 off a MY21 or MY22 AMG, except for the 35, 43 and 45.
If this is it...meh. Perhaps in a different color it will pop.
I agree. Not bad looking, but lacks inspiration. Just a mish mash of all of MB's current styling cues. I wish it would've been the car to signal the next styling generation. Some of the renders were better looking.
I agree. Not bad looking, but lacks inspiration. Just a mish mash of all of MB's current styling cues. I wish it would've been the car to signal the next styling generation. Some of the renders were better looking.
Perhaps a self imposed identity crisis. Trying to be too much?
Another new model exemplifiying MB's complete devastation in design..their designers either need to be fired or renewed because they cannot have garbage like this and the rest of the new cars allowed, the W223 especially being a case in point. All in all a completey lazy half hearted attempt with no SL magic instead just a mishmash of various models together, the front being the worst with the predator face then followed by the incredibly boring and generic sidewall and rear..a complet flop IMO...
Another new model exemplifiying MB's complete devastation in design..their designers either need to be fired or renewed because they cannot have garbage like this and the rest of the new cars allowed, the W223 especially being a case in point. All in all a completey lazy half hearted attempt with no SL magic instead just a mishmash of various models together, the front being the worst with the predator face then followed by the incredibly boring and generic sidewall and rear..a complet flop IMO...
Upon release the 231 was not the best looking SL ever but it did offer a great roadster experience along with stand alone looks. Luxury, performance, and exclusivity. The face lifted 231's got better IMO and after this 232 preview I believe will only look better with age. This new model shows very little inspiration or creativity, as you stated a mishmash. Perhaps the Asian market will scoop these up but I for one will not be picking one of these up for 150K plus. The rear reminds me of the Jag coupe.
"To see it, you have to sign a consent form, let them scan your driver’s license, and put your phones and cameras in sealable pouches - no pics or videos allowed, but you can talk about it. Anyway "…
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!! What are they afraid of? That maybe no body will like it? Or mistake it for a Toyota with a custom grill?
I'm pretty disappointed. They need a new design team. I know I'd never buy one.
If you happen to be in the Monterey California area this week, be sure to drop by Pebble Beach where Mercedes is showing the new SL (in the first concourse up the hill from the Lodge), as part of the Concours d’Elegance program. To see it, you have to sign a consent form, let them scan your driver’s license, and put your phones and cameras in sealable pouches - no pics or videos allowed, but you can talk about it. Anyway …
Nice looking car, bigger and wider than current SL, with the official launch date sometime in October. Soft top only, non-foldable rear seats. SL55 AMG Will be in the $140k range, and the SL65 will be in the $170k range. MB is considering other models, but nothing firm yet. Big touch panel in the center console, like Tesla’s. Unlike the S, you can tilt it slightly, but it still doesn’t look well integrated. They claim the trunk can hold two golf bags, but unless the 2nd one is real small, I don’t see it fitting.
Other Mercedes news: S convertible and coupe are being discontinued, so only convertibles will be SL, E and C models. No more European Delivery Program, which was a great experience when we bought our SL in 2017.
Final thoughts: I’m sure that it will be a great car, just too impractical for us given the size - for parking and curvy, mountain roads.
So they are going back to the 55 and 65 nomenclature? I thought it would have been 53 and 63(e)
Also, if you go, they’ll email you an “appreciation bonus” of up to $2000 off, if you purchase or lease any new Benz, other than G, S or EQ, by Feb 9. You’ll get the full $2000 off a MY21 or MY22 AMG, except for the 35, 43 and 45.
So they are going back to the 55 and 65 nomenclature? I thought it would have been 53 and 63(e)
I assume this is an oversight/error.
Although the 55 nomenclature was supposed to make it back on the 232 SL a year or two ago but the only reason to do so would be to create a price markup over other 53 models (if).
The 65 is dead and $170k too cheap to use it…
Could be, but pure AMG, without the luxury / comfort of the S cab. My wife might go back Saturday or Sunday, and I’ll ask her to estimate the length and width in steps, and then do a quick comparison/conversion. Eager to hear other members’ opinions, if they go.
Also, if you go, they’ll email you an “appreciation bonus” of up to $2000 off, if you purchase or lease any new Benz, other than G, S or EQ, by Feb 9. You’ll get the full $2000 off a MY21 or MY22 AMG, except for the 35, 43 and 45.
I would be surprised if the new SL is really larger than the old one (perhaps wider). Our AMG GTC definitely looked bigger than our SL side by side, yet it was actually a bit smaller. It's just more muscular...
Here is a link to a fairly interesting spin on the new SL from Benz Insider: take a minute and scan the imbedded video. Their take on the un-camouflaged car is quite appealing.
Plenty of info in the R232 SL forum. And yes, the six cylinder is dead for the SL. 4 or 8 cylinder only. That said, it won't be short on power. The new C63s will feature the same setup as the SL53e although it makes 650hp unlike the SL, more than the largest V8's at the moment (Black Series excluded). Even with the 4 banger, expect a sticker price of $140k if the US models start with the 53e.
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
