Mercedes-AMG reveals bodyshell of upcoming SL Roadster

The next-generation Mercedes-AMG SL will be unveiled later this year and is confirmed to replace the GT Roadster.

The next-generation Mercedes-AMG SL Roadster is scheduled to debut by late 2021. Ahead of its arrival, the German carmaker has revealed a new lightweight composite aluminium bodyshell for the car.

The new bodyshell for the next-gen SL Roadster is said to have been developed from scratch by Mercedes-AMG. The company claims that not a single component has been borrowed either from the previous-gen SL or the current AMG GT Roadster.

The new bodyshell comprises of aluminium, steel, magnesium and glass / carbon fibre. The bodyshell without the doors, bonnet and boot lid is said to tip the scale at just 270 kg.

Mercedes-AMG also claims that the torsional stiffness has increased by 18% compared to the outgoing SL. Compared to the AMG GT Roadster, transverse and longitudinal rigidity has increased by 50% and 40%, respectively.

The new Mercedes-AMG SL has been confirmed as a replacement for the current GT Roadster. The AMG SL Roadster will come with a soft-top instead of a hard-top roof like the one seen on the previous-gen car. The SL will retain the '2+2' seating configuration of its predecessors.

While details of the powertrain are yet to be revealed, reports suggest that the next-gen Mercedes-AMG SL will feature a number of petrol-hybrid options. The new AMG SL Roadster will be offered with rear-wheel drive as standard. The higher trims are expected to get AMG's 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system.