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Model Lines: Luxury Line and AMG-Line available on both 55 and 63 models.
Interior Trim Options: Silver Chrome, Black Piano Lacquer, New Dark Chrome/Brushed Look, and Carbon Fiber
Exterior Color Photos: Sintered Bronze Metallic(?), and new (Nardo-esque) Gray, Sun Yellow, Black, Red, and Red Pepper Interior.
The R232 SL has been spotted, this time with a rear plug in port, hinting at an AMG E-Performance model. The smaller wheels and round exhaust pipes hint at the fact that this may be the entry level model and will likely feature a similar powertrain to the upcoming W206 C63e.
So the A pillar and windshield surround is high gloss black rather than body color? I think it will look great with a black roof, black wheels, and the night package assuming it will still be offered. With roof fabric a color other than black, I'm not so sure. Could end up with a choppy tri-color look with, say, silver paint, red roof, and black A pillar and other trim.
That black ragtop is just plain ugly...or FUGLY....when compared to our 2017 top.
But they saved a LOT of money ..... I would like to know the difference in cost between the two tops...my 2017 and that thing... I bet they saved over $15K.... and on a $150K car, that is a lot....but it sure is ugly compared to what it replaced.
That black ragtop is just plain ugly...or FUGLY....when compared to our 2017 top.
But they saved a LOT of money ..... I would like to know the difference in cost between the two tops...my 2017 and that thing... I bet they saved over $15K.... and on a $150K car, that is a lot....but it sure is ugly compared to what it replaced.
Opinions are like a**holes, everyone's got one. I happen to think the hardtop SL's look ugly with the top up, and are far too feminine in their looks.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
The fact of matter is that most customers for new SL’s will lease them. For the most part, they couldn’t care less about the hardtop/soft top thing. The fabric top will wear out WAY after they have turned the car in and have gotten a new toy. I happen to think that convertible cars with high quality fabric tops look WAY better than our beloved R231’s with their tops up. We are a small, insignificant group of enthusiasts. Mercedes-Benz doesn’t care one bit about us. They care about new sales to younger drivers—mostly in China, period.
The fact of matter is that most customers for new SL’s will lease them. For the most part, they couldn’t care less about the hardtop/soft top thing. The fabric top will wear out WAY after they have turned the car in and have gotten a new toy. I happen to think that convertible cars with high quality fabric tops look WAY better than our beloved R231’s with their tops up. We are a small, insignificant group of enthusiasts. Mercedes-Benz doesn’t care one bit about us. They care about new sales to younger drivers—mostly in China, period.
While MB does care about a younger demographic (and the AMG crowd tend to be younger and a bit more affluent - statistically), the Chinese have no relevance here.
Convertibles are not a thing in Asia and sales are regionally low.
This back and forth about the hardtop cost is just nonsense. The most expensive convertibles in the market today have only soft tops…
Fact is that they have fallen out of favor for weight and in the case of the new SL, space.
That said, I absolutely agree that the practicality and utility of a hardtop is unbeatable.
Loved the magic sky roof when it was too cold to drive top down
The fact of matter is that most customers for new SL’s will lease them. For the most part, they couldn’t care less about the hardtop/soft top thing. The fabric top will wear out WAY after they have turned the car in and have gotten a new toy. I happen to think that convertible cars with high quality fabric tops look WAY better than our beloved R231’s with their tops up. We are a small, insignificant group of enthusiasts. Mercedes-Benz doesn’t care one bit about us. They care about new sales to younger drivers—mostly in China, period.
As far as soft top wear, I'm not entirely sure why people worry so heavily about this. My fathers soft top 2004 Mustang JUST had to be replaced last year after 16 years of daily driving in Arizona. I would imagine(hope) the quality of a Benz fabric roof would easily exceed that of a Ford.
The China bit is eh... doubtful, Chinese auto consumers LOVE large luxury sedans and SUV's, not drivers cars.
Its far more likely the younger demo piece, I'm barely in my 30's and strongly considering the SL for the first time just due to the dynamic changes and styling overhaul of the R232 appealing to me, whereas all of the prior models since R129 have just (to me) seemed frumpy and soft and have never been a consideration. I don't think the car will be stealing many 911 owners, but from what we've seen I find this car visually more exciting/appealing than the 911.
2015 CLS 550 2015 ML 400 Previous 2020 GLB 250 2019 A 220 2005 ML 350 1989 300 E 2001 SL 500
Originally Posted by Streamliner
The fact of matter is that most customers for new SL’s will lease them. For the most part, they couldn’t care less about the hardtop/soft top thing. The fabric top will wear out WAY after they have turned the car in and have gotten a new toy. I happen to think that convertible cars with high quality fabric tops look WAY better than our beloved R231’s with their tops up. We are a small, insignificant group of enthusiasts. Mercedes-Benz doesn’t care one bit about us. They care about new sales to younger drivers—mostly in China, period.
Wrong. they care about being able to hit CAFE. Which requires ditching the heavy folding hardtops. No one, not Rolls, Bentley ,BMW is building folding hard top convertibles.
Rather than blather about MB not caring maybe you should consider why all these automakers have reached the same decision.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by mercedesmax
Wrong. they care about being able to hit CAFE. Which requires ditching the heavy folding hardtops. No one, not Rolls, Bentley ,BMW is building folding hard top convertibles.
Rather than blather about MB not caring maybe you should consider why all these automakers have reached the same decision.
“Blather,” huh? It’s always so easy to figure out the type of person you are dealing with, based on the language they use. And, by the way, the last time I looked, none other than the Ferrari folks were still offering a retractable hardtop on their lovely Portofino.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Wolfman
While MB does care about a younger demographic (and the AMG crowd tend to be younger and a bit more affluent - statistically), the Chinese have no relevance here.
Convertibles are not a thing in Asia and sales are regionally low.
This back and forth about the hardtop cost is just nonsense. The most expensive convertibles in the market today have only soft tops…
Fact is that they have fallen out of favor for weight and in the case of the new SL, space.
That said, I absolutely agree that the practicality and utility of a hardtop is unbeatable.
Loved the magic sky roof when it was too cold to drive top down
“We are a small, insignificant group of enthusiasts. Mercedes-Benz doesn’t care one bit about us. They care about new sales to younger drivers—mostly in China, period.”
Even though my above referenced comment was part of a post about the new R232, these two sentences were a general comment on how MB feels about older customers in the USA vs. younger customers in China. I stand by my comment.
“We are a small, insignificant group of enthusiasts. Mercedes-Benz doesn’t care one bit about us. They care about new sales to younger drivers—mostly in China, period.”
Even though my above referenced comment was part of a post about the new R232, these two sentences were a general comment on how MB feels about older customers in the USA vs. younger customers in China. I stand by my comment.
I should have split my message into two as part was in response to Panama...
In regards to your comments, this document might help explain where they are going. It's already dated (last year) but gives a pretty good direction. You will find that the are not just focusing on China but very much on the US, just growth comes from expanding its customer base and that will mean younger high-income demographics...
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
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.
