Are we going to see the 2022 model? Was meant to be this year? Wolfman, if you don't know, then nobody does!!!

 

My guess, is that MB has their hands full right now and the new SL is a very low priority. The new 2021 W223 S Class has not yet been released, while thousands of them sit at US VPC locations around the country. Even pricing for the 2021’s has not yet been released. Some announced options for that car have been put on an indefinite hold, AND, they have already released the Dealer Ordering Guide for the 2022 models of that car, again with most all prices “TBD.” In addition, the new, all electric EQS has been unveiled with similar issues and getting their electric vehicles into the marketplace must be a very high priority at MB right now.

In addition to all of the above, I’m quite sure that MB is facing chip & other supplier shortage issues, brought on by the CCP virus fiasco. If someone inside MB says something like “how’s the new SL coming along,” the response is probably something like “Oh, yeah, the new SL. I completely forgot about that.” Obviously, this is just my take on this.

 

231 sales have been dismal since it's introduction, which is a shame, because it's a good car. I suspect 230 owners were alienated from all the problems and moved on to different brands or models. There's a very limited market for a 2 seater cabrio priced over/around 100k that appeals to boomers or empty nesters. That being said, It wouldn't surprise me if the model line is discontinued one day. There's already C, E, and S cabrio versions and some look quite nice, along with 4 seats!
Following MB's current trends it also wouldn't surprise me to see a re-bodied c or e cabrio wearing the "SL" badge one day.

 

The C, E, and S class convertibles are being discontinued. There will be a "CLE" coming in a couple of years, and the new SL as the only two convertibles in the MB lineup.

 

Wanna bet then the "CLE" and "SL" will be the same platform 😉

 

One size fits all and you will like it.
But the good news is that you will be able to get your new Mercedes in either black or white!

 

Lets not get too carried away here with our optimism. I seriously doubt that a REAL, unadulterated white will be offered.

 

MB will use the same color white on all future models but give it different names to satisfy the customer. How about Super Deluxe Cosmic White!😊

 

Rumor has it that MB will offer a limited edition QUANTUM version of the new SL which will be both Black AND White.

With optional Max Planck signature glasses, contacts or cornea implants, this version can appear in various shades of grey as selected via the new Mercedes QUANTUM app available for both Android phones or iPhone.

 

Lee Iacocca saw the future, and he was right.

 

The whole point of the SL was that it was a $100k cabrio with two seats. No four seat cab will ever have the panache of a two seater. Two seats says "yeah...I can afford to spend this much on a car that's just for me". Four seats says "my wife wouldn't let me buy the car that I really wanted".

 

Naturally, the CLE (if/when it comes) will be nothing like the new SL

The SL is slated for introduction in August and delivery in spring of 2022 (hopefully as a MY23 so that they done't repeat the nonsense of the 2021 S-Class that never was). Unfortunately also a 2+2 config.

I am torn; keep our AMG GTC which will undoubtably drive nicer than the new SL or get that one. The config of the new SL is very attractive (variable AWD with torques vectoring, AMG EQ plants mated to a 9 speed tranny and airmatic suspension. Then all the usual eye candy inside and the latest tech.
We are getting an EV next so I am thinking to keep the convertible a dinosaur. Great exhaust, manual gauges and lightweight.

But that decision will come when seeing the next SL

 

Those won't be usable seats... Keep in mind that SL's had rear seats before; this is not a first.

 

 

Ya but that old money is either dead or getting too old to drive, hence the target audience is shrinking. The new panache is 3 ladies, one in each seat. C'mon now, haven't you watched "The Dark Knight?"

 

What problems with the R230’s are you referring to? The ABC issues that some owners experienced due to a lack of proper maintenance? With the oldest 230’s now 18 years old, it is easy to find all sorts of problems plaguing them now, mostly due to years of improper maintenance. I had a 2004 SL500 for 12 years and it was an absolutely sensational car. The reason I didn’t immediately go for a 2013, was because I found the R231’s a bit awkward looking—and still do—compared to what I considered the truly beautiful, first generation 230’s.

My feeling is that R231 sales did not take off, for three reasons:

1. The first generation cars had an exterior that did not appeal to a lot of folks.

2. After driving their 230 with ABC and conventional tires on 18” wheels to the dealer to test drive the new 231, many were put off by the markedly inferior ride quality of the 231’s, without ABC, and with stiff, run flat tires on 19” or 20” wheels.

3. If they tried out the radio in the new car, that was the last nail in the coffin and they drove over to the Porsche dealership.

MB “phoned in” several design aspects of the 231 SL’s. They got a lot right, but a few, last details, really hurt sales, especially to previous SL owners. Many went to other makes and never came back. If MB had spent as much time finessing the details of the 231 as they did with the 230’s, I believe the car would have been a much better seller from the start. In addition, even knowing of truly major issues, such as the significantly below par sound system, they did absolutely NOTHING to improve it over the entire, eight year model run. One can only surmise that MB just couldn’t have cared less about their once legendary sporting roadster. Of course, much of this is just my opinion.

 

Am I the only one who thinks the 231 version of the SL is an absolute steal on the used car market? For around 35K I got a $117,000 rocket that's built like a tank, is fast as hell and coddles me in the cockpit? I think this is one of the absolute best used cars on the market. The stereo is crappy but still works. Some folks fuss about the styling but that's not what I hear when I pull up at a red light or gas station. I smile every time i get in my lunar blue/beige interior 2013 SL550. Money very well spent in my book Sorry if others don't feel the same way.

 

I agree, 100%, but the used car discussion is completely different than the discussion about new cars, at least to me.

 

MBZ would have to pull something spectacular out of their a*s to even consider selling such a masterpiece as the GTC.
It’s always difficult to follow up such great designs. Won’t say they can’t do it, but we’ll see.....
😎

 

I don't think the new soft top SL at $100K+ will appeal to me. I'd rather buy a nice 3 series convertible and actually have a rear seat that can seat 2 adults in reasonable comfort at least for a couple hours and for probably half the cost.

 

I know that much of this varies by location/climate but I would have no interest in anything four seater convertible. It’s unappealing to me as a car. A 2+2 is also not interesting but I might be able to excuse the pseudo rear seats as convenient storage.
These cars are typically one in a 3 plus car household so there will be other cars that are better designed as a people mover.

While I like the 3 series, they are horrible top down in terms of wind buffeting. One of the areas that the SL always excelled.

 

Yes, 3+!

 

Having owned 2 3 series verts I agree that wind buffeting with the top down is an issue. I also have no interest in a 2 seat convertible at this stage in my life but I do think that legroom in the SL will be a real issue so if someone is interested in seating 4 adults there may be better choices than the new SL. Time will tell. I still believe there is a very small niche market for this new car but I guess this is no different than a 2 seater SL.

 

Not sure I understand. You don't like your SL?
To be clear, the new SL will not be marketed or offered as a 4 seater. They will call it a 2+2. I can only imagine that they do that to target the 911 cab crowd. The new SL will be a sports car like the 911 and those have the same seat config. Interesting to see that the new SL's contours are very similar to the current SL in terms of cabin/roof. They just made more space inside by dropping the hard top mechanism (along with the weight) but it looks very similar from the outside.

 

I like our SL but my wife LOVES it. I traded my C7 Corvette that she DETESTED. My point is that the current SL has a small niche market of buyers and I think the new 2+2 SL will have a similar small market. If it's too small it won't be around long.