Mercedes SL Roadster Returns to Performance Roots

First official images of its next generation Mercedes SL roadster were released by the automaker this week. Mercedes gives us our very first glimpses of the newcomer in these heavily camouflaged test mules.

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Performance roots

The Mercedes SL roadster was is usually considered a GT car but it seems the upcoming version is going back to the very first of its kind. Mercedes’ press material states: The next generation of the legendary SL Roadster is going back to its roots, which lay in motorsport back in 1952.

In keeping with this statement, Mercedes-AMG has taken on the task of overall vehicle development of the roadster. Since AMG was incorporated into Mercedes-Benz, only three model lines have been developed by the speed merchants at Affalterbach: the SLS, the more recent GT and the upcoming One supercar. Check out images of the company’s first supercar by clicking here. To date all development work of the SL has taken place in test laboratories and at Mercedes’ own test and technology centre in Immendingen. From now on the process will move into the real world (as seen in the images above) and onto public roads.

Check out the most recent model to be launched by AMG, the GT Black Series at this link.

What we can tell

With so many performance models high up in Mercedes’ portfolio we can expect the SL to take on a new role within the line-up. Judging from the images it seems as though the new model will have a soft-top, ditching the hard-top of its predecessor, most likely in a bid to reduce overall mass and lower the centre of gravity. It also seems to feature a rakish body kit with a boot spoiler and aero-tuned wheels. Reports suggest the SL will be fitted with a range of AMG developed engines. Proposed models that will comprise the line-up may include an SL53, SL63 and potentially an SL73, the latter with hybrid tech.