Updated Mercedes SL Brings Back Proper Benz Grand Tourer, Report Says
In response to customer concerns about the SL being too performance-oriented
With development led by Mercedes-AMG and sharing parts with the GT, the current R232-generation SL is a much sportier proposition than its predecessors. While some buyers inevitably appreciated the change in philosophy, not everyone liked the SL's new performance focus, and the German brand is now being forced to return the car to its roots as part of a mid-cycle facelift. The updated SL will arrive next year, and according to company boss Ola Källenius, it will be "more of a Mercedes-Benz."
Autocar reports that Mercedes received feedback from buyers about the current SL leaning too heavily into performance. This insight is prompting the German brand to launch a standard SL variant with the Mercedes-Benz badge, rather than being branded as an AMG. It's understood the new version will include a unique front end without AMG's characteristic Panamericana grille. Mercedes-Benz will also tweak the suspension setup to give it a softer ride. Rather than carving up mountain passes, it should be more at home on long road trips and cruising along the French Riviera.
The SL will include AMG's new V8
While the new Benz-branded model promises to be more refined, that doesn't mean it'll morph into an uninspired GT car. Entry-level versions, including a new SL 500 4Matic+, are expected to use a turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-6 with 443 horsepower. This is slightly less than the outgoing AMG SL 55 4Matic+ with its 469 hp and easily out-muscles the 375 hp delivered by the old AMG SL 43 and its turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder.
Mercedes will also continue selling the SL in V8 configurations. These models will adopt the brand's new twin-turbo 4.0-liter M177 Evo V8 using a flat-plane crank that launched with the new S-Class. All V8 models will use some form of electrification. These could include a new SL 580 with roughly 530 hp, perhaps serving as the flagship Mercedes-Benz-branded model. Likely positioned above it will be a new SL 63 AMG 4Matic+ with 604 hp. Sadly, the current SL 63 E Performance, with its V8 plug-in hybrid and 805 hp, will reportedly be axed.
Buyers in the market for a car delivering performance beyond what the SL offers will be wise to opt for AMG's more focused GT. Mercedes-Benz has been working on the refreshed SL since last year. Our spy photographers snapped it during winter testing back in March, in what appeared to be AMG and Maybach configurations. All models will feature a revised front end with star-shaped LED daytime running lights.