Mercedes Confirms New SL Will Replace GT

[ChrisHGTV]

Looks fantastic. Porsche haunches 100%

I do like the chunkiness of it, it just looks a bit unimaginative to me (though i wouldn't say no!). Compared to that Maybach concept, for instance though its just a bit bland. I know that's a concept but even some styling cues from that, or that kind of thing would be interesting. A 2- door sports convertible should look special in my book (same with any coupe). Alfa did the same with the touted "new" GTV. It was basically just a 2 door Giulia. Nice, but not really special looking for a coupe (when you compare it to say my version of the GTV which even now looks a bit mad, or the 4C or 8C). I imagine a lot has to do with development cost and the desire to use existing architecture, appeal to the masses etc.

 

[ToeKnee]

What's the thoughts of getting into the back seats with the roof up, is it easy in the previous generation SL's with a rear seat?

 

[AMGeed]

Hideous screen on the interior. Lazy design IMO.

Lol, I love it, especially the interior.
Just as well we all like different things.

This is the only SL that would tempt me into a 2 seater.

 

[Senna11]

There is no elegance in the design nor does it have the immediate ‘I really want that’. Just a pastiche of current styles and the rear end has a melted look about it. Need to see one in the flesh. I do like the GT as it is a much more resolved design and the rear looks great.

 

[GVT]

I think it looks fabulous. None of the stodginess of the previous SL - taught, sophisticated with just enough angriness. I would buy one…..

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Sorry, horrible.

It’s not an SL - that two seater luxury GT cruiser that people will want to look great and flaunt it.

The AMG GT range is the performance platform to compete with the 911, not this. Make the AMG win that sector.

Rear seats on all SL’s and no two seaters? Ridiculous. We know from the R129 and the 911 that they’re a waste of space.

OK, the SL lost its way and got thrashed by the Bentley Conti et al but this isn’t the way to recapture that sector. Think client, not track day.

 

[nyssa7]

Looks like an AMG GT Roadster replacement rather than an SL replacement, very chunky and brutal where the SL has always been a bit more delicate and elegant, even the R129

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

This is the SL that Mercedes should be making.

A car that makes you go away for the weekend, that turns heads, and TBH, a car that "people" like the Duchess of Cambridge, Charlize Theron, Amal Clooney and Melinda Gates would buy for themselves.

 

[Gollom]

IMHO looks OK. But does not look "special" or make me catch my breath in the way the classic SL would

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

This is the SL that Mercedes should be making.

A car that makes you go away for the weekend, that turns heads, and TBH, a car that "people" like the Duchess of Cambridge, Charlize Theron, Amal Clooney and Melinda Gates would buy for themselves.

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I find understanding different perspectives so fascinating: from your perspective, what is it that makes the California right, and the new SL wrong?

 

[ChrisHGTV]

I find understanding different perspectives so fascinating: from your perspective, what is it that makes the California right, and the new SL wrong?

Im not so keen on the California either - still lacks that jaw dropping impact that personally i think this kind of car warrants. Although a completely different beast (and cost) this to me is the benchmark/aspiration for modern design flair:

Sorry - another Alfa mention but just look at it!

 

[Steve84N]

That thing is an abomination, the original 8C looks much nicer.

 

[HB]

An SL is a luxury tourer. 99.9% of previous SL owners would never track their cars.

I’d be very interested to see for myself how it rides and flows on motorways etc. If it is that hard AMG nonsense we get these days then ,a C4s gets my vote every time.

Maybe if the reviews are harsh, they will release a luxury version with a softer set up for the Arabs and American market.

 

[ChrisHGTV]

That thing is an abomination, the original 8C looks much nicer.

It's certainly an acquired taste! Of course it is a homage to the original which was very weird looking. But my point really was the effort/risk in design taken - always a chance it will be polarising but for me there is nothing more sad than a car that should be exciting to look at (eg 2 door soft-top/coupe) that is kind of bland looking.

 

[AMGC63Fan]

What are people's views on the latest generation Merc steering wheels? I think they're worse than the previous gen (below), but then I might be a little biased...

 

[Steve84N]

Yep, the latest wheel on the E Class is a downgrade and not as easy to use the 'buttons'.

I prefer one version further back, which I swapped into my 204.

 

[Gollom]

Going to need an extra test soon to handle the steering wheel controls!

 

[vijilants]

One thing for sure....the GT is a future classic that will command mega sums.

The GT was and is a fantastic looking car that was clearly designed by a guy who loves good looking cars, and not the same guy that produces the rest of their jellymould products.

 

[Yex]

Given the the new C63 is being given the 2 pint ICE, 2 turbos and 2 Duracell's to power it the fact the new SL has V8 options make it a rather appealing car

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I find understanding different perspectives so fascinating: from your perspective, what is it that makes the California right, and the new SL wrong?

They call it the dialectic.....

I'm saying that the AMG isn't an SL - that two seater luxury grand touring cruiser that people will want to look great in and flaunt it about a bit.

With the exception of the original 1950's 300SL, the SportLeicht has always been a soft luxury convertible targetted at wealthy folk who want a comfortable, luxury tourer. Something to get Hart to Hart to their latest investigation, Bobby Ewing into Dallas, Princess Diana down to the Harbour Club, and to enable Colin Montgomery's wife to drive from Scotland to London in comfort for a weekend away.

The SL has never been something to kill a naive actor like James Dean or Paul Walker.

This group of people isn't in the slightest interested in 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, or race start launch controls. It's not what that client group does - at all. Look at the massive success of the Ferrari California: something like 8,000 units sold, well beyond exceptions and, TBH, sold in equal numbers to women as well as men. (Let's not ignore the elephant in the room)

The SL lost its way with the R231 and got thrashed by the Bentley Conti et al but this new car isn’t the way to recapture that sector. Think client, not track day.

Which is not to diss AMG in any way. It's a different sector. There's a role for an AMG Convertible to compete with a Porsche convertible, but that's not what the SL is about.