Monday 11th January 2021

Next Mercedes SL AMGs spied

Both '63 and '43 photographed testing as a production debut nears

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The arrival of a new Mercedes SL is always something of an event simply because they don't happen all that often - roughly every 10 years or so, in fact. Think of how much an A-Class has changed since 2011 and it's clear how long a decade really is life cycle terms. For 2021, and largely in keeping with the schedule - because the R230 was launched at the end of 2001, the R231 the start of 2012 - there's a new SL due, and this is our best look at it yet.

Obviously the big news for this generation will be the return of a soft-top, seen here in what's believed to be production trim and replacing the folding hardtop used in previous generations. The styling is substantially altered too, again something that's become familiar with the SL given how long each version remains on sale. Now there's a clear AMG GT influence as well, with lights and grilles - even the active rear spoiler - seemingly inspired by the smaller sports car.

That said, elsewhere there are also elements obviously shared with the rest of the current Mercedes range; the Panamericana debuted on the GT facelift, but has also been seen on the four-door GT, G-Class and C63, for example. The yellow paint could have come straight from an A45 and the four exhausts will be familiar to anyone who's followed a recent AMG V8 and heard it rumble away.

In fact, exhausts are a good way to tell these two prototypes apart. Note the car only pictured from the rear has red paint rather than yellow. It also doesn't have the retractable spoiler, and four much rounder tailpipes. That's because this is believed to be an SL53 AMG, sitting below the 4.0-litre V8 SL63 in the range for the first time. Like other models with the badge - E-Class, CLS, GLE and so on - the SL53 will be powered by an electrified straight six. It currently provides 435hp and 384lb ft through its combination of turbocharged, petrol 3.0-litre and EQ Boost starter generator, so expect the same if not more here. It seems likely that the rest of the SL range will feature hybridised powertrains, though of course there will be no V12 this time around.

As for when it'll be seen without disguise, a lavish motor show debut like the good old days seems unlikely in 2021. Instead it'll probably be shown virtually towards the end of the year, or at least in a more subdued setting than there would have been in LA or Frankfurt. Best get prepared for lots of new tech, as is often the way with a new SL. But, if these pics are anything to go be, a look that will be reassuringly familiar.

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• New Mercedes SL confirmed for 2021
• Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG | Spotted
• Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series | PH Review

Image credit | S.Baldauf/S.B.Medien

[pycraft]

The waistline is far too high on these things; it's meant to look like a sportscar, not a chopped saloon. I know there are regulations on bonnet height for pedestrian impacts, but why does it need to then slope upwards?

[j90gta]

Hardly surprising that it appears fat and bloated with a huge grille.

[chris-e]

Project Sumo

[David87]

Does anyone buy the SL nowadays? Can't remember the last time I saw a newish one, although admittedly I don't live on Rodeo Drive.

[SpeckledJim]

Waistline at driver's chin height. For that airy and luxurious sitting-in-an-empty-rolltop-bath experience.

[SpeckledJim]

David87 said:

Does anyone buy the SL nowadays? Can't remember the last time I saw a newish one, although admittedly I don't live on Rodeo Drive.

It's been a deeply ugly and crass car for quite a long time now. The specialness and properness that the first 4-5 generations built is mostly gone.

[ate one too]

It's not aimed at the UK market though is it ? I wouldn't be surprised if there were no RHD versions built.

[pb8g09]

There's an old boy near me who purrs around in a V12 one of these (current edition) with his old dear in the passenger seat.

He must drive it in Eco mode or something as it never revs out and it's like he's gliding on a magic carpet.

[Mr_Sukebe]

Looks a lot like the current Z4, ie dull

[samoht]

pycraft said:

The waistline is far too high on these things; it's meant to look like a sportscar, not a chopped saloon. I know there are regulations on bonnet height for pedestrian impacts, but why does it need to then slope upwards?

I agree, but I think aesthetically it can look awkward if the rear is the same height or lower than the front, the 'wedge' look helps make a car look like it's got a powerful rear and is moving forwards. I think that's one reason some people don't like the A110's styling.

Maybe the only option for a low scuttle / waistline is to keep driving older cars ?


Personally I became used to SLs being elegant and handsome, really liked them up until the 2008 facelift of the R230. Everything since then has been super-ugly to my eyes, I'm hoping this will mark a change for the better even with the rather high waistline.

[cerb4.5lee]

I think these work better with a folding metal roof. The fabric roof seems out of place on a SL for me.

[SpeckledJim]

ate one too said:

It's not aimed at the UK market though is it ? I wouldn't be surprised if there were no RHD versions built.

It'll definitely be in RHD. Not just for the UK which is Europe's biggest convertible market, but for Japan, where they sell a lot. Most of the bits underneath will have been engineered for RHD from other models already anyway.

[SpeckledJim]

samoht said:

I agree, but I think aesthetically it can look awkward if the rear is the same height or lower than the front, the 'wedge' look helps make a car look like it's got a powerful rear and is moving forwards. I think that's one reason some people don't like the A110's styling.

Maybe the only option for a low scuttle / waistline is to keep driving older cars ?


Personally I became used to SLs being elegant and handsome, really liked them up until the 2008 facelift of the R230. Everything since then has been super-ugly to my eyes, I'm hoping this will mark a change for the better even with the rather high waistline.

It'll be interested to see, once sports cars are EV, whether we get improvements in this area.

The packaging without an engine allows better pedestrian protection as well as a lower bonnet line and scuttle.

[The Moose]

I used to really like the SL ever since my old man had one when I was young. These days, I struggle to see the difference between the E and S convertibles and I guess this is another in that line now.

[swisstoni]

There are comets that come around more frequently than a properly new SL. So this is always a bit of an event.

I’m hoping there has been some serious shape disguise going on under the camo because otherwise it looks a bit of a lump.

SLeekness may be something you just can’t give a new car design today due to all sorts of constraints.

[Holgate86]

I was looking forward to the new SL, but the 2+2 format has pretty much killed it for me. That and the ridiculous price Mercedes seem to be charging for their AMG products at the moment.

[Tim bo]

pycraft said:

it's meant to look like a sportscar,

No. It's meant to look like an open-top GT. The SL is far from a sports car.

[Kent Border Kenny]

David87 said:

Does anyone buy the SL nowadays? Can't remember the last time I saw a newish one, although admittedly I don't live on Rodeo Drive.

I bought an SL63 last year, brand new.

I’ve since put 800 miles on it, as it got stuck in mainland Europe with the lockdown.

I’d planned for it to be a long-term thing, but now that I’ve another convertible sports car I don’t know if I can justify it.

[Tim bo]

Some renderings are out.

I think it looks fking fantastic





Huge wafty-bargeness with thunderous power under the bonnet for long runs across the continent. Love it.

[SpeckledJim]

swisstoni said:

There are comets that come around more frequently than a properly new SL. So this is always a bit of an event.

I’m hoping there has been some serious shape disguise going on under the camo because otherwise it looks a bit of a lump.

SLeekness may be something you just can’t give a new car design today due to all sorts of constraints.

Somewhat frustratingly, the Lexus LC convertible is, to my eyes, absolutely stunning. I'd be embarrassed to be seen in the current SL.

2+2+elegant is still doable.