The latest prototype looks the same as other previously-spied (and teased) SL testers. The only things that are different, aside from the quad pipes, is the camouflage pattern on the roof and the wheels. In fact, one of these prototypes were testing with two different wheel designs. The ones at the rear feature a 5-single spoke aesthetic, while the front wheels boast a 5-dual spoke look.
This next iteration of the SL will feature
the same platform as the Mercedes-AMG GT, something AMG boss Tobias Moers
already confirmed. Aside from the common architecture, the SL and GT are also
expected to share axle assemblies, suspensions, steering systems, the 48V
electric architecture and hybrid powertrains. Both will be built alongside each
other at the German carmaker’s plant in Sindelfingen, Germany. Meanwhile, a
source told Autocar that the new SL was designed to feature a longer hood and a
more rearward-positioned cabin.
The range could kick off with an SL 43
variant with a 3.0-liter straight-six that should be tweaked to produce more
than the 367hp we see in other Mercedes models it’s used in. It will likely be
followed by the SL 53 and 53e sporting a 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six,
the latter with an additional electric compressor, delivering at least 440
horses.
Next up will be SL 63 / 63 S (two stages
of tune), with the latter rumored to have a 604 HP twin-turbo V8, although no
specs have been made official at this time. Another rumor concerns the
availability of an insanely powerful SL 73e model pairing the SL 63’s
turbocharged V8 with electric motors on both axles producing 800-horsepower or
possibly even more.
