SL-Class (R232) Discussion on the 2022 R232

SL/R232: 2022 SL Reveals Fabric Roof In New Spy Photos

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Old Dec 14, 2020 | 11:35 AM
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2022 SL Reveals Fabric Roof In New Spy Photos

Showing a little less camouflage as well.

motor1.com/news/460231/mercedes-amg-sl-class-spied/
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Old Dec 14, 2020 | 11:41 AM
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No more MB:(
So far about as expected. No surprises.
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Old Dec 14, 2020 | 12:56 PM
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Interesting rims! They look like the new C63 rims with that silver ring in them. I think (and hope!) that this new gen is going to look quite good. I hope they address the traction issue with an LSD in the rear as well as the 4matic+.
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Old Dec 15, 2020 | 06:45 PM
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Looks like a Z4
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Old Dec 15, 2020 | 07:56 PM
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No more MB:(
Originally Posted by benz lurker
Looks like a Z4
I can see that.
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Old Dec 16, 2020 | 12:49 AM
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It looks ‘small’.... not sure if that’s good or bad at this point. It also looks like it will be a tight squeeze for 2+2 if in fact they go that direction.
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Old Dec 16, 2020 | 03:56 PM
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Is that going to be one of the new color options for 2022?
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Old Dec 16, 2020 | 04:24 PM
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Originally Posted by crobb65
Is that going to be one of the new color options for 2022?
Do you mean what looks like Selenite Grey metallic?
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Old Dec 16, 2020 | 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by van_rider
It looks ‘small’.... not sure if that’s good or bad at this point. It also looks like it will be a tight squeeze for 2+2 if in fact they go that direction.
It's a 2+2 like a 911 is.
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Old Dec 16, 2020 | 06:36 PM
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I haven't bought into the idea that this is an actual 2+2 just yet. Or if it's just like the old R107 dummy seats designed for leg-less people...

The shape/size is close to the current SL with (IMO) zero resemblance to a Z4, which are also tiny cars.

As soft tops go, this is a good looking one as MB tried to copy the roofline of the hard top so that even the small side windows are preserved (unlike the AMG GT). Also, some of the cutouts in the camo show nicely sculpted bumper vents (rear). The rear will look great. Assume a retractable spoiler so no hump on the trunk.
Wether people like it or not, this will be S-Class like in the interior, center screen and all...
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Old Dec 16, 2020 | 08:40 PM
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Smile

Really glad I bought out the lease on my 2018 SL550 and the MB ELW.

From what I see and read of the new R232 I'm really happy with the R231

No way do I want the new "S" interior console layout (in my opinion big mistake) or the cloth top.

Maybe our R231s will increase in value
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Old Dec 16, 2020 | 09:39 PM
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Originally Posted by steve sl550
Really glad I bought out the lease on my 2018 SL550 and the MB ELW.

From what I see and read of the new R232 I'm really happy with the R231

No way do I want the new "S" interior console layout (in my opinion big mistake) or the cloth top.

Maybe our R231s will increase in value
My assumption is that the days of cheap SL leases are coming to an end, making the R232 a more expensive proposition. The SL has been a bargain for the last decade with deeply discounted lease rates and high depreciation, so I while i don’t think SL value will increase they may hold steady.

Personally I am on the opposite end thinking that the new SL will be the better car in every way besides the soft top.

Last edited by Wolfman; Dec 16, 2020 at 09:41 PM.
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Old Dec 17, 2020 | 01:36 PM
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Like all previous models it will be viewed as dated over a period of time and continue to depreciate.
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Old Dec 17, 2020 | 02:03 PM
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Soft top? I'm not convinced

I know I said I was tired of the speculation and camouflage phots of the new SL, but I had to inject...

I think there is a good possibility that the camo car in the photos has a canvas covering OVER a hardtop. Look at the roof line. I do not see a significant crease or seam in the fabric above the rear window as there is in the C, E, and S-class soft top cabriolets. There is a seam, but perhaps not in the fabric but instead, under the fabric.

Compare the SL roof to those in the photos below. Could Mercedes be getting everyone all excited about loss of a retractable hardtop in the new SL? Until we hear or see officially, I'm still betting on a hardtop.

Here's the camo SL with a smooth canvas top...






Here are 2 photos of a C-class. Note the ridge above the rear window.




And here are 3 photos of the E-class...






And lastly the S-class cabriolet...


Here's to good, entertaining, continued speculation...
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Old Dec 17, 2020 | 04:35 PM
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While it's entertaining to discuss, there can only be a soft top given the trunk lid/opening (shown if the very first spy pics many months back). Here is also a pic of our GTC that shows there is no such seam either...
​​​​​​​
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Old Dec 17, 2020 | 05:43 PM
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Excellent! Great photo of the GTC, thank you. Pretty much debunks my suggestion. WRT the trunk lid -- does it appear too small of an opening to accommodate a hardtop? Bummer.

Still -- I see several ridges in your GTC but only one very subtle one on the camo SL. It looks like the GTC provides a good bit more visibility out the rear window. The one on the camo SL looks pretty small.

Long live the retractable hardtop!

Last edited by slk55er; Dec 17, 2020 at 05:49 PM.
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Old Dec 17, 2020 | 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Wolfman
While it's entertaining to discuss, there can only be a soft top given the trunk lid/opening (shown if the very first spy pics many months back). Here is also a pic of our GTC that shows there is no such seam either...

Beautiful!
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Old Dec 20, 2020 | 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by MBNUT1
Like all previous models it will be viewed as dated over a period of time and continue to depreciate.
As usual !!
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Old Dec 20, 2020 | 03:19 PM
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Originally Posted by slk55er
Excellent! Great photo of the GTC, thank you. Pretty much debunks my suggestion. WRT the trunk lid -- does it appear too small of an opening to accommodate a hardtop? Bummer.

Still -- I see several ridges in your GTC but only one very subtle one on the camo SL. It looks like the GTC provides a good bit more visibility out the rear window. The one on the camo SL looks pretty small.

Long live the retractable hardtop!
The new SL rear window is small and similarly shaped as the later cabriolet windows. Ours is larger but we can barely see a third of the window opening due to the high wall behind the seats and roll-over protection. The SL will offer the full use of the window.

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