This is just a dream by yours truly, a fellow R231-lover and non-lover of R232.

If only Tobias Moers did not step away from Mercedes-AMG; if only Mercedes did not allow itself to be transformed into a company making the kind of products it is making today; and if only Mercedes had a better vision for improving its legendary SL-Class...

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I imagine a second facelift for R231 around 2021 before the debut of an all-new platform.

Mechanical:

- 4.0-Litre V8 Biturbo with 621 bhp (Yes, give us the SL65 V-12 Option too!)
- Rear axle steering
- 9-Speed MCT transmission
- Rear-wheel drive with any improvements to ESP- and brake-based torque-vectoring
- ABC becomes Magic Body Control with stereo camera and curve-tilting function. Pumps could be powered by a 48V architecture or the old way (via engine turning a belt). Improvements to reliability of system and simplification where possible.
- Three-stage MBC selectivity independent of multi-stage suspension settings: MBC selections would be “Curve titling,” “natural performance” (allows a small amount of body roll as on R231 SL63) and “magic performance” (completely eliminates body roll as on R230 SL)
- Improvements to suspension hardware resulting in improved shock absorption
- Three-stage suspension settings: Comfort (which should be super comfortable), Sport (which should be sporty but not harsh), and Sport+ (which should be very sporty and actually exhibit a firmness and feeling of high sport)

Exterior:

- Rear end: I Imagine the same basic structure with revised taillights and diffuser to give it a more aggressive and expensive look.
- Front: I imagine slight changes to the bumper and the fitment of the Panamericana grille. Headlights on R231.2 look very good but maybe some changes here but I don’t think necessary. Perhaps a new good with even more aggressive treatment.
- Sides: they looked fairly good but maybe a new door with a functional and aggressive air flow design.

Interior:

- Digital dashboard with AMG-specific features and design
- Head-up display
- Modern multimedia screen but not a tablet and not a huge panoramic screen. Recessed and beautiful but larger with touchscreen capability
- MBUX with hardware to support upgraded software to latest versions as they debut
- Improvements to base and upgraded sound systems
- Improved placement of Airscarf by reconfiguring headrests that move much further forward as well as increased up and down travel
- Elimination of trap door for convertible top movement
- One-touch up and down switch for convertible top — activated by confirmation of top movement command via the driver display
- Convertible top can be lowered or raised while moving
- One-touch up and down for all four windows
- Better seat massage function
- Better seat ventilation capabilities
- Rear shelf stays, but reconfigured to more easily accommodate belongings without damaging the interior

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I believe all this could have been achieved via a facelift that would have cost Mercedes much less money than the development cost of the R232. Of course this does not factor in the tremendous losses Mercedes (and its dealers) have incurred by having to subsidize sales of the R232. (Please, let’s not debate whether the R232 was an abomination — we did that in other threads and this thread happens to exist for people who love the R231!)

Just imagine: a hardtop luxury performance convertible with the best of Mercedes-Benz’s modern and performance accoutrements.

Mercedes: here’s the blueprint. Get to work and bring a true SL back to us for model year 2029. It’s okay to re-use the excellent platform you had for R231 or feel free to unlock the war chest and spent a billion or two on a new platform.

 

Dream big

 

Of course, I love the dream, but my version would be a bit different. I would have just loved if the R232 had taken the best attributes of the R231, improved upon them, replaced whatever wasn’t working and then swapped out the power plants for an all electric drive. I bailed on the ICE, basically out of frustration. After MBUSA bought back my last THREE S Class sedans, I finally figured that I had had enough and went looking for a better daily driver. To my astonishment, pretty much the only thing that fit the bill was the BMW I7, so that’s what I got.

I was definitely one of those “Never an EV” guys, but after owning one now for about nine months, I am completely and totally enamored with electric propulsion. It is so smooth, so silent and blindingly quick. No more crappy, slush-box MB transmission, no more being irritated with one thing after another that doesn’t work right and then basically being blown off my the MB service departments because they are so utterly overwhelmed with all the major issues with their new vehicles. My BMW has not been back to the dealer for ANYTHING since I took delivery.

Yes, give me an R231.2, but make mine electric, please.

 

Streamliner, give us some feedback on the electric doors on your Bimmer, please. Do they work as advertised or is it a gimmick? Thanks.

 

The doors are wonderful and well worth the money. I cannot believe that they are not soon to be available on most every top luxury vehicle.

When approaching the car, I open the door in the traditional manner, as I have found that to be the simplest way. There is a button on the exterior door handle, to engage the automatic opening, but I find using it to be uncomfortable, as you need to be away from the door for it to open.

After I get in, I simply depress the brake pedal and the door closes quickly. After driving to my destination, I simply hit the button on the dash, to the left of the steering wheel and the door quickly opens. Sensors keep it from hitting the vehicle or other object next to you. I have grown to have 100% confidence in this feature, as I have even used it in my garage when opening the door next to my SL! Or, you can hit the door opening button on the door panel, which is in the traditional area and the door simply pops open, but does not open further and you can manually swing it open as far as you like.

After the door opens and I am exiting the car, I have gotten into the rhythm of hitting the dash button to close the door, but I need to be quick in moving, or the door will bang into me. I feel that they really need a “close” button on the top, rear of the door panel and am hoping the upcoming facelift car will include one. You can also use the aforementioned exterior button to close the door, but again, I find that button to be somewhat difficult to use.

A real bonus to the system is that if you open the door manually or automatically, the door stays put wherever you or the sensors put it. It does not “spring” further open or fall closed by itself. I have even used it on a steeper driveway and it holds firm. No more banged up legs, which my W223 S580 used to dish out on a somewhat regular basis.

The very best features are the brake pedal closing (don’t need gorilla arms to reach the door), the automatic opening with sensors preventing impact with another vehicle or object and the way the doors hold where you or the sensors put them. The system is not perfect, but I would say it is nearly so. A few tweaks over the coming years should smooth out the few less than perfect qualities.

I am absolutely spoiled with the doors. When I drive the SL or our E450 Wagon, having to reach for and manually close the door seems SO antiquated!

 

Thanks Streamliner. Good to hear.