ROADSTER Revolution

MERCEDES IS RE-IMAGINING THE ICONIC SL AND BRINGING IT BACK TO ITS FORMER GLORY WITH THE HELP OF AMG

- THOMAS GEIGER

THE MORNING DEW is rolling in and the heavy fog reduces sight. Sadly, summer is well and truly over in the Eifel. Roadster weather, for Europe at least, is over. It’s early as the sun breaks cover, and the cool conditions render a drop-top convertible redundant. Or so you’d think. I’m sitting next to AMG’s head of technology, Jochen Hermann, in the new SL prototype and I couldn’t be more excited despite the intentions of Mother Nature.

Despite the incongruous season, it’s finally time to experience the new SL. The Swabians have waited long enough to pull the covers off its latest creation. We’re in a ‘fairly’ final pre-production prototype and the theory is that the iconic nameplate will be ready to take flight for open-air cruising in the summer of 2022 (our winter). The German brand’s aim is to make up for lost ground gained by BMW with its 8 Series and the venerable Porsche 911.

While it might look like the famous marque is taking its time with this project, it’s for a reason. To many, the SL is the Mercedes-Benz and a true legend since the gullwing of the 1950s. It’s also the first time that AMG has taken sole responsibility for the development. And since the past two generations aren’t exactly the most successful and popular, the target must be hit this time around. That’s why AMG has pressed the reset button and brought the SL back to its roots. Or, at least a little closer to what was once considered the best sports car in the world.