Mercedes has delayed the unveiling of the 2022 SL sports car by just over a week. It will now be shown on October 28, rather than October 20 as originally planned.
There was no word from Stuttgart as to why the reveal has been pushed back, but given the modest delay it’s unlikely to be because it’s been mawled in customer clinics and has been sent back to chief crayon controller, Gorden Wagener, with its tail between its legs for a last minute re-style.
And the delay will be good news for dealerships trying to sell other luxury convertibles. When the SL drops there’s every chance it will become the hot new thing for rich sun lovers, so rivals like Bentley will be keen to nail down a few extra GTC sales before they find customers have their heads turned by something new that is likely to more fun to drive.
Related: 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL Strips Off Camouflage Before Imminent Debut
View this post on Instagram
Mercedes has instigated some major changes for the 2022 SL, including moving the car under the AMG umbrella and reintroducing a 2+2 seating configuration for the first time in decades. The eighth-generation SL is built on the same aluminum platform that will underpin the next AMG GT coupe and takes the place of the GTC Roadster in AMG’s lineup.
Our spy shots of lightly camouflaged AMG development cars give a fairly clear idea of how the SL will look, and a grainy leaked image taken at a private presentation event made clear that Mercedes is leaning heavily on the newcomer’s sporting credentials, rather than simply its luxury strengths.
Not that the luxury angle has been forgotten. Official images and video of the SL’s interior released in a teaser campaign earlier this year revealed an S-class-style touchscreen display in the center console, and a digital instrument pack housed in a leather-covered dashboard.
We don’t yet know much about the SL’s engine lineup, but we do know it has ended its 20-year affair with retractable hardtops. The new car will feature a conventional fabric soft top, and we expect to see a full array of driving assistance technologies.
Illustrations Copyright Carscoops.com / Josh Byrnes