After having seen some official spy photos of the new generation of Mercedes-Benz SL, the R232 , the historic roadster that is being developed for the first time by AMG was again caught up in testing.
Speaking of the connection to AMG, this continues to cause doubt in the nomenclature. Could it be that because the new SL is being developed by the house of Affalterbach, the new Mercedes-Benz SL will rather be known as… Mercedes-AMG SL?
For now, the German brand has not yet clarified this doubt and the most likely thing is that it will only do so when the model is revealed.
The SL 63 in action on the Nürburgring.
The new SL will be born based on the Mercedes-AMG GT (Modular Sports Architecture (MSA)) platform, promising to be the sportiest SL ever. In such a way that, in one fell swoop, it could replace not only the current SL but also the Roadster version of the Mercedes-AMG GT, according to recent rumors.
What's more, the R232 generation will return to the canvas roof, dispensing with the retractable rigid (a once popular solution, but in danger of extinction) that has accompanied the Mercedes-Benz SL throughout this century.
The sighted versions
In this new appearance, the Mercedes-Benz SL (let's call it that for now) was seen in two variants: SL 53 and SL 63, the latter having been seen in tests at the famous Nürburgring (photos above).
The numbers that identify the versions do not mislead their origin, with the SL 53 being expected to come equipped with an in-line six cylinder and the SL 63 with the thunderous V8. Both engines will have to be associated with the mild-hybrid system of the new S-Class and an automatic gearbox with nine ratios.
Mercedes-Benz SL 53
There's more news under the hood, news… electrifying. Everything points to it being the first SL in history to be equipped with a plug-in hybrid variant — using, it is said, the same solution that will be used in the GT 73 four-door — which would also make it the first SL to have four-wheel drive. This version would not only be the most powerful, it would also take the place of the V12 (SL 65) that will be abandoned with this new generation.
Going to the other extreme, there is also talk of the possibility of seeing the SL equipped with a four-cylinder engine, something that hasn't happened since the time of the 190 SL, launched in… 1955.