Mercedes will preview its intention to replace the SLS AMG “very soon” with a new concept car, according to a senior company official speaking ahead of the Geneva motor show.
The new concept is likely to pave the way for the new ‘SLC AMG’, as the hotly tipped SLS replacement has become known.
Rather than replace the SLS with a like-for-like replacement, the new model is set to be smaller and compete more directly with the Porsche 911.
A much wider range of variants, however, should allow the front-engined, rear-drive coupe and cabriolet models to compete with myriad rival performance cars between the mooted £80,000-£120,000 bracket.
Our source indicated that the SLS AMG still had several years left on sale yet, but its replacement was shaping up to be an “iconic” design for the Mercedes brand.
Before the new sports coupe is shown, Mercedes is gearing up to show replacements for its current Mercedes-Benz S-Class and C-class ranges. The S-class will be shown first in the next few months, with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class to follow early next year.
The look of the new S-class is said to pave the way directly for the C-class with what’s described as a “sporty and elegant” look for the new BMW 3-series rival.
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If it does have a relatively
If it does have a relatively short production life (and high end cars like this often remain on sale for up to a decade before being replaced) then the SLS can only become a more sought after used buy. There is something delicious about the concept - a German-made V8 muscle car, with gullwing doors to boot! The nod to the iconic 300 SL is almost a bonus. It may be objectively inferior to its rivals but it has charisma.
SLS to be replaced already?
What is it with Daimler/Mercedes-Benz and failed cars? If they are looking to replace the SLS already then it's likely because it's not selling. And little wonder - it's too expensive for what it is and is up against fierce competition at that price level. Fake aluminium interior trim which is actually plastic in a car at that price is unforgivable.
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was another car that they had very optimistic sales targets for and it too fell way short. It too was too big and much too expensive.
Then there was Maybach - another huge failure.
Yes maybe Mercedes-Benz should stick nearer to the £100k mark for their top models and then they might have a chance of selling some.