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Since MB never sold the GT53 in the US we don't don't what price spread to the regular GT they would have had.
For the AMG GT models, the roadsters carry a $12k premium over the coupe and the new SL53e will have P3 Hybrid setup more or less like the new C63s (e-motor with 2 speed transmission in the rear + small battery) M137 inline4 engine & 400Volt RSG, just with less power. This could make for a higher base price.
But $25k more than a base SL550? Sure thing. There is obviously not a low power version like the 450 anymore. We don't know if the SL43 will come here and even that one has over 400hp. The old AMG SL's were already well in that price territory before ($160k-$225k)
All this info should be somewhat available on August 12 at the intro at Pebble Beach...
So far my dealer says that the intro models will be SL53 and SL63, with sales aimed for Q1/2 of 2022. That’s all the info they have, although wouldn’t be surprised to see an SL43 introduced or prices starting in the triple digits.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by js_cls
So far my dealer says that the intro models will be SL53 and SL63, with sales aimed for Q1/2 of 2022. That’s all the info they have, although wouldn’t be surprised to see an SL43 introduced or prices starting in the triple digits.
They did this when the first CLS cars were released in the US. I believe those were CLS55’s. The stylish, “4-door coupe” models were hot sellers when first released, so MB must have figured “let’s offer only the most expensive models first and grab as much cash as we can.” Of course, being an entrepreneur at heart, I see nothing wrong with making as much profit as possible, but it was fairly ridiculous seeing so many AMG models in the hands of little, old ladies, etc., who would have been much more comfortable in a non-AMG model.
I always save my final judgement for in person. So far what I see….
Yuck! R231 is by far more beautiful to me. Every time I see I one I stare at it. This R232 is just ugly inside. What is with 4 seater convertibles with a useless back seat? Never understood that even when back to the R107 (One of my favorite MB’s). Why not just keep it a 2 seater?
I always save my final judgement for in person. So far what I see….
Yuck! R231 is by far more beautiful to me. Every time I see I one I stare at it. This R232 is just ugly inside. What is with 4 seater convertibles with a useless back seat? Never understood that even when back to the R107 (One of my favorite MB’s). Why not just keep it a 2 seater?
Hmm. I suppose it’s in the eye of the beholder We had 3 R231’s but beautiful never came to mind.
Already said the same thing in 2013 so it’s not a question of changing taste.
All of them were new cars; one stock and two custom configs. These are just great convertibles that show their top down quality every day but the exterior features, namely the front end, left of lot to be desired.
The facelift model is definitely the best looking one and I am impressed how well the car ages. Better than the R230 IMO.
I don’t mind the interior of the R232 at all as I am not opposed to the center screen but the rear seats were never a good
idea. I suppose they wanted to add some rear seat storage (not for people) and the pseudo seats look better than the empty box.
The most important question to me is the wind flow and buffeting inside the cabin. These will obviously have a different rear screen and I hope it’s not of these dumb contraptions that cover the rear opening that so many others deploy.
Everyone has different tastes in what they like or don’t like for their hard earned money but for me, so far, the R231 suits me fine as there are some trends in the R232 that just don’t appeal to me though it will be a fine car.
(1) Retractable hard top vs. soft top.
(2) Rear seats that are not usable or practical for passengers.
(3) Large center console screens that do nothing more than current set up.
(4) >19” wheel rims that provide a harsher ride and tend to break a lot more often.
I’ve had my three SL’s (‘2008/‘2017 & ‘2019) just because of the great pleasure I’ve had when driving them and I consider a lot of the new technology a distraction from the reason I bought them in the first place. I can play video games on my big screen tv at home and after 50 years of driving probably a million miles or more have never been lost on the road without a computer telling me where I am or what Taco Bell is located in the next city. For me it’s all about the drive in the SL. It’s not about the destination. It’s about the drive.
The good news is that it will no longer be necessary to go to a drive-in to watch a movie. The bad news is that it will no longer be necessary to go to a drive-in to watch a movie.
I'm sure this interior will appeal to a lot of folks, but to me its completely devoid of the style I expect in a fine automobile. I prefer my R231 and will keep it until my daughter rescinds my driving privileges.
In case you're wondering what I consider to be an example of the interior style I expect in a fine automobile.....one word....Bentley. Oh, If they only made a retractable hardtop.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Seriously, the back seats are ASININE! Decades ago, you might have put children back there, or ONE teenager NOT properly wearing a seatbelt. Today, with seatbelt and child safety seats mandatory, the seats are absolutely useless. All this about losing the retractable hardtop to save weight, hah! How much weight could be saved if they got rid of these insane rear seats? WHY did this car have to be a 2+2? The Germans are known for functionality and meaningful engineering. These rear seats seem to fly in the face of that, long time Porsche 911 tradition notwithstanding. My opinion: They have killed off the SL, to give us an SLINO. Every day, my 2019 looks better and better to me.
Do I ever agree with Streamliner! I won't go so far as to say that this is Mercedes-Benz's repeat of the 1958 Ford Thunderbird, but it is clearly a very disappointing vehicle. Besides the utterly useless rear seats (maybe there will be a storage-only option) which I find absurd, what really rankles me is that hideous tablet screen. It looks cheap in the Aston Martin, and it looks cheap stuck onto the middle of the dashboard here. Better would have been an ultra-high resolution, highly configurable version of M-B's very decent 12.3" LED screen with unique software apps that could be projected through the heads-up display to ease (and make safer) driving. As for the sacrifice of the hard-top convertible, well, that is nothing other than inexcusable. All and all, I don't know what this new "SL" is, for it has abandoned many of its elements that made it so wonderfully unique. How sad.
On the plus side, I now love my 2017 SL450 even more!
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We had 3 R231’s but beautiful never came to mind.
