[RABAUKE]

From the National Post Driving section:

http://driving.ca/mercedes-benz/sl-c...t-more-serious

With a rumoured 800-hp top trim and more aggressive styling, the SL is going place it hasn't in a long time

The next-generation 2021 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class will lose a bunch of weight, take on way more aggressive styling, and come with more power than ever before, topping out at more than 800 horsepower courtesy an e-motor-assisted 4.0-litre V8, according to a report from Automobile magazine.

A mostly-aluminum platform will help the SL-Class shed some 150 kg, the publication has apparently found out, even though cabin room will be expanded thanks to a stretched wheelbase. If the SL ends up under the Mercedes-AMG banner, a small 2+2-style back seat will help set it apart from its AMG GT sibling. A multi-layer soft top is expected to return for the first time since 2001, and active stabilizers, rear-wheel steering and AWD all point to a performance focus.

Styling-wise, expect a much meaner look, with large intakes, lots of vents and aggressive headlights. Clashing with rumours reported last April by Autocar magazine, Automobile says it’s heard the base SL 43 will start with a 435-horsepower 3.0-litre inline-six mated to a 20-horsepower mild hybrid system. The SL 53 and SL 63 would be similarly hybridized, though the powerplant there would be a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, making 522 horsepower in the SL 53 and 612 in the SL 63.

At the top of the model range, says the Mercedes insider tapped by the magazine, will be an SL 73, also with a 612-horsepower V8, but one mated to a 204-horsepower e-motor inspired by the one driving the AMG Project One. That rumour makes sense considering Automobile long ago reported that overall next-gen SL-Class development had been assigned to AMG specifically.

It could be a while before it can be sorted exactly which rumours prove true and which ring false. If the next-gen SL does indeed debut as a 2021 model, at the earliest a prototype would bow a year or two from now.

[Red Bread]

Ah, finally they counter the Demon. Probably just as worthless at turning too. Why this car exists, in light of the GT, I just don't understand.

[Germanauto]

Why won't BMW ever produce any of these crazy cars.

[yousefnjr]

Neat, always loved the SL’s. Great cars.

Soft top is a questionable choice though, seems it’ll be less GT-like and more sportscar

[Sedoy]

Because they are busy building FWD Active Tourer and small SUVs.

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Why won't BMW ever produce any of these crazy cars.

[scoobysaurus]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Ah, finally they counter the Demon. Probably just as worthless at turning too. Why this car exists, in light of the GT, I just don't understand.

You don't understand because the car isn't meant for you. What this article doesn't mention but countless others do, is that the new SL is replacing both the current SL and the S coupe/convertible as a 2+2. And an SL can't turn? Upon release it beat the M6, XKR and Bentley GT in every comparison test in terms of handling. It wasn't designed to compete with pure sports cars.

On a side note from all your comments here on the general automotive section it's pretty obvious you've hardly driven any of cars you're out to trash talk and base your opinions on youtube videos. Opinions are like a**holes, everybody has one and here's mine - for such a strongly opinionated guy I bet you set racetracks on fire with that X1.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by scoobysaurus

You don't understand because the car isn't meant for you. What this article doesn't mention but countless others do, is that the new SL is replacing both the current SL and the S coupe/convertible as a 2+2. And an SL can't turn? Upon release it beat the M6, XKR and Bentley GT in every comparison test in terms of handling. It wasn't designed to compete with pure sports cars.

On a side note from all your comments here on the general automotive section it's pretty obvious you've hardly driven any of cars you're out to trash talk and base your opinions on youtube videos. Opinions are like a**holes, everybody has one and here's mine - for such a strongly opinionated guy I bet you set racetracks on fire with that X1.

Haha, if only my parents hadn't owned thirty plus S Class, SL and similar MB. But good try, we all get things wildly wrong.

[scoobysaurus]

Originally Posted by yousefnjr

Neat, always loved the SL’s. Great cars.

Soft top is a questionable choice though, seems it’ll be less GT-like and more sportscar

A bit of both actually. It's supposed to replace the current 2 door S class but handle more like a sports car at the same time since its being built on the AMG GT platform. And yeah the soft top is a step back for most current or former SL owners considering that the hardtop is the model's USP but they're doing it for weight reduction.

[scoobysaurus]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Haha, if only my parents hadn't owned thirty plus S Class, SL and similar MB. But good try, we all get things wildly wrong.

Cool story bro

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by scoobysaurus

Cool story bro

Just saying, I've driven just about every SL, aside from a Gullwing that my dad justifiably never let me near.

They're all massively paled by both the S Coupe and the GT, in clearly different ways. Continuing on with the current approach just seems silly.

[yco]

Merc' is going great in last 3-4 years and seems BMW takes it a bit slower..

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Why won't BMW ever produce any of these crazy cars.

Not able...

[b4hand]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Ah, finally they counter the Demon. Probably just as worthless at turning too. Why this car exists, in light of the GT, I just don't understand.

Wait, what?