Sharing the identical hallowed automotive floor as different long-running fashions just like the Porsche 911 or Volkswagen Golf, the Mercedes-Benz SL is each an icon of refined open-top driving and core nameplate for the Mercedes-Benz model. This 12 months will see the reveal of simply the seventh all-new model of the SL in its 67-year historical past, proven right here with little in the best way of camouflage hiding the mannequin’s design.

The most recent photos come straight from the horse’s mouth, revealing the mannequin present process ultimate testing in Sweden. Although we’ll nonetheless have to attend for powertrain and efficiency particulars, the marque has now disclosed that the mannequin shall be obtainable with a variable 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system, a primary for the SL.

The most important change with this SL is the information that its growth has been paired with the subsequent AMG GT. Because of this the vehicles share an aluminium chassis quite than the SL utilizing one derived from normal Mercedes saloon fashions as was the case earlier than. This additionally means the subsequent SL has been engineered from the outset by AMG, and is destined to behave as a alternative for the subsequent technology AMG GT Roadster. 

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This alteration to the SL’s underpinnings has had a direct impact on the brand new technology automotive’s proportions which, as this prototype exhibits, are in placing distinction to as we speak’s mannequin with a protracted, low bonnet and upright windscreen. It can additionally ditch the folding metallic roof it launched on the R230 technology mannequin in 2001, swapping it for a lighter and fewer advanced cloth association. We will additionally spot typical design components borrowed from present Mercedes fashions like slim LED lighting components and an upturned Panamericana grille.

Mercedes is anticipated to streamline the engine vary, specializing in a mixture of V8 energy for top efficiency fashions and the agency’s new straight-six petrol energy items for extra mainstream variants. The six-cylinder engines are anticipated to undertake the mild-hybrid techniques already in use in different fashions. It stays to be seen when AMG’s plug-in hybrid powertrains shall be built-in into the vary, however given the SL sometimes has an extended than normal mannequin cycle, we count on it to be able to integrating this expertise, whether or not it seems at launch or later within the SL’s life. 

One space destined for a serious refresh is its inside, possible that includes the newest touchscreen person interfaces and design components first debuted on the brand new S-class. This can characterize a quantum leap over the earlier technology SL, which because of awkward model-cycle timing was designed round an ageing interface at launch again in 2012.

The brand new SL is anticipated to be revealed this summer time, arriving within the UK in direction of the tip of the 12 months. Whereas the SL’s ‘Sports activities Leicht’ title has develop into much less applicable to the automotive over the previous couple of generations, this new mannequin ought to go some approach to restoring its former relevance.