Thursday 22nd September 2016

AMG GT Roadster versus SL: PH Blog

With the arrival of the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster is there any future for the long-serving SL?

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Following confirmation of a roadster version of the AMG GT, chatter in the PH office turned to where this leaves the SL. Namely, does it still have a place in the Mercedes line-up?

The SL has come a long way since this...

This may seem unthinkable given its near 60-year history as Mercedes' flagship drop-top and a defining model for the brand's identity. Originally a racing coupe turned into a roadgoing supercar combining speed, the latest technology and luxury the SL quickly shifted its focus, losing its roof and concentrating on the latter. As the years went by that original racing pedigree seemed more and more distant, the pretty W113 'Pagoda', wafty 80s R107 and sleek R129 all capturing the style of their respective times but piling on the weight as they went. Even extensive use of aluminium in the structure can't stop the current R231 SL weighing close to two tonnes, the middle-aged spread matching that of the stereotypical owner. Sportlich Leicht seems a very distant memory indeed.

Thus far nobody has really threatened the niche Mercedes carved for itself with the SL but, after all this time, the long-serving roadster finds itself squeezed between other cars in the range. On one side you have the S-Class cabriolet, catering to the - how shall we put this - mature and more luxury focused end of the market. And now those who might naturally have gravitated toward the louder and more lairy end of the SL spectrum - defined by AMG - have an alternative and much sportier choice in the shape of the GT Roadster.

Has the S-Class rendered the SL obsolete?

The SL retains that folding hardtop and ability to play both coupe and roadster. But if you want wafty and fast with the wind in your hair the S-Class cabrio has status, space and seating for four. While the GT Roadster harks back to the sporting bloodline embodied by the original 300SL. The SLS on which the GT is based was, of course, a successful racing car in its own right and there's a GT3 version of the GT ready to pick up where it left off.

This informs the dynamics of the road car too, the transaxle layout of the GT with its front/mid V8 engine and rear-mounted gearbox meaning it has a more favourable weight distribution than the SL. And, of course, it's a ground-up AMG car rather than a hot-rodded mainstream Merc. A kerbweight not far off 1,700kg for the GT Roadster isn't what you'd call light but it's where the weight is contained that'll make the difference to the way it drives, the fabric roof less fancy than the SL's folding hardtop perhaps but keeping what extra weight there is low in the car.

Six decades ago the SL's masterstroke was to offer a car of equal appeal to the poser and the serious driver, symbolising Mercedes' mastery of both luxury motoring and racing success in one package. Now that distinction has been divided and separated across a number of different model lines. Begging the question, where does that leave the SL?

Nik

 

[anonymous-user]

[redacted]

[anonymous-user]

Not going to happen.

It's like saying VW will kill the Golf or Porsche ceasing 911 production...

OK. The SL does not sell as many as the above but the UK and even Europe hasn't really been the main market for the SL, the US has. Plus, the AMG GT, whilst a very good car is a passing fancy - something that won't be here in 10,20 years time. The SL will.

I don't like the rumours that the next SL will be SLC based and have a soft roof, but I suppose for the sake of cost - something that runs deep in decision making over want - then it does make sense.

But there will still be an SL.