The new Mercedes-AMG SL all stripped and laid bare, no sections of carbon fibre in sight



The flagship Mercedes-Benz SL roadster is due to be replaced this year and the automaker is sharing key technical details of the convertible.

Now marketed under the Mercedes-AMG banner, plenty of high technology materials and construction is used to deliver the brand’s performance credentials.

The bodyshell of the upcoming Mercedes-AMG SL consists of the combination of an aluminium space frame with a self-supporting structure, a solution that traces back to the original Mercedes-Benz SL in 1952.

The body-in-weight, as pictured above without the bonnet, doors and other items weigh in at just 270 kg. Constructed of a multi-material mix of aluminium, steel, magnesium and fibre composites, the all-new bodyshell has torsional stiffness that is 18% stronger than the previous generation, while 50% higher transverse and 40% higher longitudinal rigidity than the AMG GT Roadster.

A mixture of glass and carbon composite materials are used for the front module bridge, a relatively small quantity, unlike the BMW 8 Series that has the large centre tunnel brace in carbon fibre composite.

A big bowl-shaped section can be found at the boot area of the bodyshell, perfect to house the new AMG high-performance battery pack of the upcoming Mercedes-AMG Performance Hybrid system.

Compared to its predecessor, the R231 Mercedes-Benz SL, the bodyshell was made almost entirely of aluminium, while the boot lid was a composite made of steel and plastic.

The entire vehicle concept of the new Mercedes-AMG SL is geared towards the lowest possible centre of gravity. This applies both to the low connection points for the powertrain and axles and to the lowest possible arrangement of the rigidity-relevant bodyshell structure.

The all-new Mercedes-AMG SL will revert to the use of a high-quality retractable soft-top after a few generations of using folding metal roofs. The brand’s 4Matic variable all-wheel drive system will also be made available in this new model.


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