Mercedes-Benz has a next-generation SL-Class in the
works, but the brand has been quiet on details surrounding the convertible
sports car until now.
According to a Wednesday report from the Australian
website Car
Advice, the seventh-generation SL will take a lot of inspiration from the
iconic 300SL Gullwing. Gorden Wagener, chief Mercedes-Benz designer, said the
next car will come closer to the "nicest SL," which is the 300SL, in
his opinion. Outgoing Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said the next SL needs to pack
the "wow" factor. Wagener's design direction would provide that.
However, don't expect gullwing doors to make a comeback with
the model. Wagner ruled out the design trait and added the next SL won't be
retro, but it will house the spirit of the original model. How he plans to
capture that is yet to be seen, but it could be in the overall shape. He
finally added the future of the model is very bright.
Previous reports peg Mercedes-AMG as the development force
behind the next SL, which will ride on a new platform called MSA (Modular Sports car
Architecture). One source said the proportions will be vastly different
from the current model.
We also heard a future AMG SL73 could return (it was last
offered as a V-12 model around the turn of the century) and involve into
an 805-horsepower hybrid
sports car. Last January, a report claimed the SL could also evolve into a
more luxurious 2+2 model to potentially replace the S-Class coupe. That report
said it would pack AMG's 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 paired with an electric
motor.
It's likely the new SL won't debut until next decade since
the current car was updated in 2017.
source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1120871_next-mercedes-benz-sl-to-take-inspiration-from-1950s-300sl-gullwing
by Sean Szymkowski
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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