The R231 generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL (shown in the video) came out more than eight years ago, and the age makes itself known through diminishing sales. Today, Mercedes told us the first few bits about the upcoming new SL.
While the premiere date (or year, for that sake) remains unknown, the technical and conceptual aspects of the next generation have already been established. The bulky, heavy, two-seat hardtop will yield its place to a new lightweight, compact, soft-top cabriolet that will likely be called Mercedes-AMG SL, because it is now being developed by Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
The car will switch to the modular MSA chassis of the upcoming Mercedes-AMG GT and retain the longitudinal front engine layout. The transmission will move closer to the rear axle.
The new SL will boast an all-wheel drive system in its higher specs, but no further information is available on that one. The entry-level SL 43 spec will ship with a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine and nine-speed automatic transmission (no AWD).
The range-topping SL 73e will combine a V8 TT and a single electric motor for around 800 hp (600 kW) of total output, the company reports. An all-electric version is also possible, whereas a V12-based one is not.
Finally yet importantly, the Mercedes-Benz SL should become much lighter than its predecessor due to extensive use of aluminum alloys.