CONFIRMED + SPIED: Mercedes' Next-gen SL-Class Is To Get MORE Sporting Intentions, Align With AMG GT

When it comes to the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, it's pretty hard to argue against one of my dear friend's description of it. He says, "It's just a car for a rich guy who wants to pretend they like cars."

I can't really argue with that.

That's because the SL is simply a boulevard cruiser. That's not a bad thing, it's just a fact of how it drives and its luxury appointments.

That's set to change though, according to the latest reports from our friends at Autocar who spoke with Mercedes-AMG's boss, Tobias Moers. According to Moers, the AMG team is taking care of the vehicle's development.

The next-gen SL will share many components with the second-gen AMG GT. Also a welcome departure will be the SL's folding hard-top, which will be replaced with a power folding rag top.

...Autocar first scooped the new SL last October and now Moers has confirmed details of it.

“We’re bringing back the historic DNA of the SL," he said. "It's far sportier [this time round]. It will have a perfect compromise between driving dynamics and comfort because it’s still kind of a cruiser too.”

This is the first time AMG has overseen development of an SL.

Moers said: “Handing over SL to AMG as the performance and sports car brand is great. There’s lots of responsibility behind that, and I’m really honoured..."

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MDarringer - 4/21/2019 9:52:02 AM

-11 Boost

Yawn.

Car4life1 - 4/21/2019 10:34:47 AM

0 Boost

Good move on Merc’s behalf because the S class Cabriolet pretty much allows the next gen SL to finally fulfill its name, SL (Sport Lightweight), which it currently is not.

Hoping they do the original 300 SL justice, but that means the next gen AMG GT will have to be a complete monster.

MDarringer - 4/21/2019 2:09:31 PM

-4 Boost

The AMGGT is what the SL should be so why do an SL that does what the AMGGT does?

Car4life1 - 4/21/2019 6:53:03 PM

-1 Boost

Nah I want the AMG GT to be the rawest most beastly expression of AMG and Mercs alliance, but I want the SL to still be a somewhat practical daily driver with a slight mean streak just enough for track day but not too much to make a relaxing drive up the coast a headache.

I want the next gen AMG GT to push you as hard as you push it and come with a disclaimer like the CLK AMG Black Series did back in the day which Jeremy Clarkson hilariously read on Top Gear

skytop - 4/21/2019 10:45:32 AM

-4 Boost

That's good. The octogenarians want AMG performance to go to the medicare lab. When you gotta pee, you gotta get to the facility fast.

MDarringer - 4/21/2019 11:06:10 AM

-5 Boost

So true. If Mercedes were serious about the SL, they would give it stunning performance and price it like a Corvette so that it is a real performance car that people buy.

PUGPROUD - 4/21/2019 12:01:32 PM

+1 Boost

In a blink of an eye skytop you'll be there faster than you can imagine.

MDarringer - 4/21/2019 12:15:43 PM

-4 Boost

Pee issues...old men and little boys.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 4/21/2019 5:23:58 PM

-1 Boost

I try to hydrate in the AM as part of an overall fitness plan. 400ml-600ml of water. On the 4km dog walk I can sometimes make it home, other times I need to grab a tree in the forest we pass through. When you gotta pee, you gotta pee.
If the new SL is 3/4 size the current one that would be a good start. Ditch the V12 and any 5.5L V8 and go with a smaller blown 4.0L V8 to save weight and reduce the size of the overall car.

MDarringer - 4/21/2019 5:52:09 PM

-3 Boost

Replacing the SL and the SLK with a car bigger than the SLK for Corvette money would likely outsell the SLK and the SL combined and then some.

AutoAficionado - 4/21/2019 3:12:54 PM

+1 Boost

All good points. How does this fit in against the AMG GT roadster? One way would be to have a loser price point and better overall package. This is probably one of the reasons the SLC got axed. The new SL will probably fall in between SLC and current SL with some AMG GT DNA.

wilfred - 4/21/2019 3:40:05 PM

+9 Boost

The SL is a comfortable sportscar for everyday use. The GT is hard core ready for recreational track use. Completely different audiences. But I guess this has to be done given 2 seaters very limited market...

skytop - 4/21/2019 4:55:02 PM

+3 Boost

Wow, what a rude, judgemental statement by the author:
"It's just a car for a rich guy who wants to pretend they like cars."

I have known many rich people who love cars but wanted the super quality and comfort of the SL's over the years. The author has his lame brain head up his azz.

MDarringer - 4/21/2019 5:15:02 PM

-10 Boost

Does the truth rankle you that much usually?

PUGPROUD - 4/21/2019 8:27:47 PM

+6 Boost

No ruder than "The octogenarians want AMG performance to go to the medicare lab."

MDarringer - 4/21/2019 8:39:22 PM

-9 Boost

That was actually hilarious.

Agent00R - 4/21/2019 8:42:27 PM

-7 Boost

So, I take it you have an SL? LOL

And clearly you didn't read. I noted it was a quote from a friend.

MDarringer - 4/21/2019 9:20:49 PM

-8 Boost

The SL is the Mercedes Monte Carlo.

cidflekken - 4/22/2019 11:47:23 AM

0 Boost

I would love for Benz AMG to make two versions like they did the SL/SLC in the 70's and early 80's. Soft top roadster and two-place coupe. The pictures of the abbreviated S-Coupe doing testing look pretty darn good and with a little tweaking could make a stunning production car.

MDarringer - 4/22/2019 1:34:12 PM

-1 Boost

The problem is that Mercedes has installed the AMGGT as their top coupe.

They should totally rethink the SL and instead of it being your Uncle Helmut's overpriced Buick Cascada suitable for Boca Raton residents, they should place the SL at the $50K range with a V8 so that it becomes an attainable aspirational vehicle rather than what it is now.

An SLC could similarly be that kind of 4-place coupe.

Both would skew toward luxury with some of the "American muscle" vibe that Mercedes delightfully dabbles in.

If the next SL is going to be more AMG then why have the AMGGT?

If anything the AMGGT should have been the Mercedes SLC with the SL being a convertible version.

cidflekken - 4/22/2019 2:47:55 PM

0 Boost

Yes, I've been saying that, too. But I've only seen a couple AMG GT Roadsters on the road, whereas I've seen a good number of new SLs. So, there is still appears a market for a more luxury-oriented car, which the new SL will likely still retain.

MDarringer - 4/22/2019 3:13:45 PM

-1 Boost

Something along the lines of the Cadillac Ciel would be a brilliant move for someone to make. LOL

xjug1987a - 4/23/2019 2:48:31 PM

+1 Boost

The SL needs to return to the roots of the old 230SL up to the 1989 560SL. Beautiful, sturdy incredibly well made cars that were cruisers. Bring back a wood dash, and the "character" of these icons. They don't need to be fast but need to be comfortable. I'd say there is a strong market for this type of SL vs the AMG street racer bad boy GT.