The Mercedes SL is an icon that dates back nearly 70 years, but the model has had a rough go of things lately.
U.S. sales dropped to a dismal 1,350 units last year and they’ve declined annually since 2013. To make matters worse, Mercedes-AMG introduced a GT roadster and that largely made the SL redundant.
The company is now trying to right the ship by handing development over to AMG and merging the SL and GT Roadster into a single model. It’s slated to debut later this year and it’s been snapped wearing less camouflage than ever before.
Also Read: 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL Takes Its White Collar Skills To The Track
While the front and rear ends are still heavily disguised, it’s clear the new SL will be a radical departure from its predecessor and heavily inspired by the GT Roadster. Starting up front, there’s a wide Panamericana grille which is flanked by sweptback headlights and aggressive air intakes.
The sporty styling continues further back as the roadster adopts streamlined bodywork and a lightweight soft top. Other notable highlights include flush-mounted door handles, aerodynamic side skirts and lightweight wheels that are backed up by a high-performance braking system.
Continuing to the rear, there are slender taillights and an active spoiler. We can also see a four-tailpipe exhaust system and a small rear window.
Mercedes has already revealed quite a bit about the upcoming model as the company has confirmed it will ride on an all-new platform and use aluminum, steel, magnesium and fiber composites to ensure the “highest possible rigidity in conjunction with low weight.” Speaking of the latter, the torsional stiffness of the bodyshell climbs 18% while transverse and longitudinal rigidity jumps 50% and 40%, respectively, compared to the current GT Roadster.
Besides being stiffer, Mercedes has confirmed the SL will have a 2+2 layout and be able to “accommodate a wide range of drive systems.” The company has also noted the SL will be offered with an all-wheel drive system for the first time and it will transition from a cruiser into a proper sports car.
Engine options remain unconfirmed, but the SL is expected to be offered with a variety of six- and eight-cylinder options. Mercedes has also hinted at a plug-in hybrid variant and it’s expected to use the same powertrain as the upcoming GT 73.
It’s slated to have a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, a 6.1 kWh battery pack and a rear-mounted electric motor. The company has already said this will enable models to produce more than 805 hp (600 kW / 816 PS) and 738 lb-ft (1000 Nm) of torque, and accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in less than three seconds.
![](https://www.carscoops.com/wp-content/themes/carscoops/assets/images/icons/arrow.png"){kind=icon}