Mercedes is conducting the final development tests of the future SL on the open road in southern Europe. The convertible developed by AMG will find a soft top, two small rear seats, and will be offered with four-wheel drive. It will replace the GT roadster. Presentation October 28.
[Mise à jour le 26/10/2021] While waiting to discover the SL in full, on October 28, Mercedes is gradually unveiling its 2 + 2 roadster. After publishing the first images of the interior, the brand took a few journalists aboard an almost final and less and less camouflaged prototype. Last episode to date, the patents of the German have been published and offers the views of the final version.
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No more winter tests near the Arctic Circle; direction southern Europe for the Mercedes-AMG SL. The development of the next generation of the German roadster, carried out entirely by AMG, as its new name suggests, is drawing to a close. The car was photographed during a test session in Spain.
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AMG SL, the half-sister of the next GT
The discoverable remains heavily camouflaged, but these new photos allow us to distinguish the shape of the optics a little better than on the few official photos published by Mercedes. We can guess a “look” much sharper than that of the previous SL, thanks to clearly refined headlights accentuating the plunging aspect of the bow. This treatment is found at the rear with horizontal lights reminiscent of those of the current Mercedes-AMG GT. And it is not a hazard. Philipp Schiemer, chief executive of Mercedes-AMG, revealed to Car And Driver than the next SL would replace the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster. The GT Coupé will be well renewed. These next-generation sportswomen should therefore display a clear stylistic kinship.
The SL becomes a 2 + 2 convertible again
This eighth generation of SL, type R232, will return to certain fundamentals that had been abandoned when the R230 arrived in 2001. It will return to a 2 + 2-seater configuration and will return to a canvas top, instead of the electrically retractable hardtop. Versatility which could also allow it to be considered as an indirect replacement for the C-Class Cabriolet since the latter should not be renewed. But rest assured, this SL can also be apprehended in a sportier way than its predecessor. Mercedes-AMG will thus position its SL more like a competitor of the Porsche 911 Cabriolet, and all the more so since it can be equipped for the first time with all-wheel drive. This 4Matic + device should offer several modes, including a two-wheel drive configuration and a possible Drift mode.
The SL will return to the soft top and 2 + 2 seats.
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A structure that is both rigid and light
Before showing the body or the interior, Mercedes preferred to unveil its structure. The brand thus confirms that it will be 100% unique: no component would be shared with the older generation, nor with the AMG-GT Roadster. The return of the 2 + 2 configuration and the multitude of driving aids posed a real challenge for engineers. But they would have managed to increase the resistance to torsion by 18% compared to the previous model, while the transverse stiffness would be increased by 50% compared to the AMG-GT Roadster. All this while maintaining a low center of gravity and a certain lightness. Various materials have indeed been used. In addition to aluminum, the majority, there is thus magnesium, for the dashboard, and carbon fiber, in homeopathic doses.
A very connected interior
On board, the screens are an integral part of the dashboard. There are digital counters and a large vertical shelf (11.9 ”) the inclination of which will be electrically adjustable. The new multifunction steering wheel, crossed over on the recent AMG GT Coupé 4-door, is also on the road. The 8th generation of the convertible, which will benefit from a canvas top, will offer two folding seats at the rear. To be reserved for children!
Revealed on October 20
Nothing has yet been formalized regarding the engines for the next SL. However, some sources advance a range made up of 4 cylinders (SL 43), 6 cylinders (SL 53), even V8s (SL 63 and 73e). Enough to offer powers ranging from nearly 400 hp to over 800 hp! In all cases, supercharging is required, as well as micro-hybridization via an alternator-starter. For the more powerful versions, a rechargeable system could also be installed.
The new generation Mercedes-AMG SL could have been presented at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, in August, or on the Mercedes stand at the Munich 2021 show. The number of new products being already significant, Mercedes prefers to wait. a little. The model will be officially presented on October 28. The first deliveries of the roadster will take place in early 2022, with production starting in January.
Source : Mercedes, motor.es
