Hello everyone, I want to discuss with you the chassis structure of the R232 SL/ C192 AMG GT, Is the their chassis based on the C-Class platform?

First of all, Mercedes-Benz admitted in its publicity that this generation of SL and GT share the same chassis structure, but there is no further explanation of the origin of this generation of chassis structure. Mercedes-Benz talked a lot about the various cutting-edge technologies used in the chassis of the previous generation of AMG GT and released a lot of media promotional materials. However, Mercedes-Benz rarely promoted the chassis information of this generation of Mercedes-Benz AMG GT/SL.

In the Youtube channel Throttle House, they made a video comparing the old and new AMG GT. They pointed out that the Transaxle structure of the old AMG GT was abandoned in the new generation, the gearbox was changed from rear to front, and the engine was changed from dry sump M178 back to M177, And hinted that the new GT/SL chassis is actually based on the previous generation C-Class.

This is quite convincing to me, because when the new SL/GT was released, the large screen in the center console that was hard to ignore reminded me of the C-Class at first glance.

So I did some further research and the interior designer of the new SL/GT commented on social media a few years ago when the C-Class was launched, He said the interior of the new C-Class was developed simultaneously with the SL and GT, The time period is approximately 2016-2017. The air-conditioning vents on the new C-Class were originally designed for the SL and GT, which can be confirmed from the sketches shared by Gorden Wagener on social media. Why should the interior of a sports car and that of a four-door family car be designed at the same time and even interchange parts?

Then, doing further research, I saw a photo of an AMG GT (coupe) road test car with the tail label GT50, which is not released anywhere. Some people said that this is the inline 6-cylinder engine version that will be supplied exclusively to the Chinese market. Why is Mercedes-Benz willing to develop a new powertrain for the Chinese market, when the sales volume is not high? I wonder if Mercedes-Benz can directly transplant the L6 powertrain from CLE53 (also based on the C-Class chassis) at a low price.

In addition, I found that the new AMG GT COUPE/SL are both produced in the Bremen factory, same as CLE and C-Class. The previous generation AMG GT was produced at the Sindelfingen plant along with the S-Class and E-Class.

For me, it is not a bad thing for Mercedes to use the C-Class chassis to develop the GT/SL. After all, I don’t need a hardcore track car, but a luxurious and practical daily car. But if the CLE63 will also be equipped with a V8 engine and can be obtained at a cheaper price, then I may have to reconsider my choice of car, especially if they are developing on the same chassis.

If you have more reliable information, please share it.

I have both, the SL is quite different compared to the CLE. CLE is and feels much bigger, more like an E-Class. The SL feels like much more sporty, to the limit of the suspension and the feel of the road. None of them are track cars, that’s for sure. But no car over 2 tons needs to be on a track, more than just for fun. That’s valid for all electric cars, all new MB and BMW cars … so on. Maybe the GT can be more a sport car, but then it needs more power, 600hp is not enough for its weight.

I don’t think the chassis is the same, the front of the SL is much longer, compared to the C/CLE cars. The drivers seats way back. CLE is longer. C is quite different compared to the SL from the side, just check on the “CT-scans”

SL

On the other side, the CLE is half the price, pretty much a great car, looks like it will have a v8 after all (I got the 6 cylinders, the CLE53).
Both the SL and CLE (and the 911 and so on) have a very bad position of the back seats. They stand very straight and firm. Not ok on the long rides, although the space in the CLE is huge compared to the SL.
If you can get the v8 and the fancy suspension setup (the all mighty self adjustable from the SL platform) then the CLE 63 is a smarter choice.
On the other hand, nothing smart about being on this forum and talking about 63 cars, not when you can get the same cars with less power at way less.
Stupid CEO allowed the 43 option on the SL/GT platform for half price of the 63 E-Perf.

Hi Raulr,

Congratulations, you own two dream cars at the same time.

As I said in the post, the SL is more likely based on the previous generation C-Class chassis, so the more appropriate comparison is between the SL and the previous generation C63S Carbiolet.
I also found that the weight of the two is almost the same,
New SL63 - 4,321 lbs,
Last gen C63S Carbiolet - 4,319 lbs,
Last gen AMG GT C Roadster - 3,660 lbs.

If you own both cars, I wonder if you can further verify my guess? I guess these two cars should have a lot of common parts. Maybe you can find this on your car. Please share it. Thank you very much.

Not sure I can tell the parts just by looking at them. I am not a mecanic. And by feel, the SL feels much more luxurious inside. The design is pretty close though, the same center screen in the CLE, just different vents and the drivers screen is much nicer in the SL. Doors feel different, trunk is much bigger on the CLE. Some stuff looks better on the CLE: front, the hood, the rear sides, that stuff is more aggressive, wider, with different vents to look sporty. Once they drop a V8 in the CLE is a really good choice, being bigger and more spacious one can make a longer trip, more comfortable. Space for bags is non existent on the SL. Yes the SL feels a higher class, but it has some disadvantages compared to (if v8) a CLE 63. My CLE 53 feels very snappy but definitely lower on torque and grunt and regular driving.

I think Mercedes messed up keeping the CLE and the SL that close, there is not such a strong reason to double the money paid on the “better” car. My wife can’t tell the difference. Luckily the exterior color is completely different. Interior is same color and she doesn’t care about engine or suspension ..
Even if you know your cars, still hard to justify the difference in price considering you get no usable rear seats and no trunk. We drive for weeks through different locations and we need some space. I use the rear seats in the SL instead of the trunk, but not really comfortable to pull the bags out all the time… So even the money is no issue still some will cross shop those 2 cars. And I am sure Mercedes think the money is an issue, otherwise they wouldn’t offered the SL43 as an option ever ..

There is zero relation to the C-Class with the SL/GT. Both cars have been build on a brand-new MSA platform which is designed uniquely for sports cars (Modular Sport Architecture)

Wolfie is right as usual. AMG has had numerous videos as well as press releases about this over the years. Totally unique architecture. Nothing to do with the C-class. Some of these videos were linked to in these forums over the years.

I did not go through this entire thread but the CLE is on the newer MRA 2 platform and is quite good from what I’ve been told.

I did not go through this entire thread, but the CLE is on the newer/2 version of the MRA platform and is quite good from what I’ve been told.


Was unable to edit/delete the above post...wish they'd change that policy.

If you'd like to know the origin of the SL's platform, google Mercedes "MSA" platform. They haven't talked about it much since the planned SLK/SLC replacement was canceled that was to share this platform, but that's the genesis of the AMG GT and SL we have today.