---
title: "Next Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Will Be an AMG-Developed 2+2, Report Suggests"
description: "Mercedes-Benz's roadster may find new life, thanks to a second set of seats."
date: "2017-04-14"
modified: "2017-04-14"
authors:
  - name: "Will Sabel Courtney"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/will-sabel-courtney"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/9303/next-mercedes-benz-sl-class-will-be-an-amg-developed-22-report-suggests"
categories:
  - "Mercedes-Benz News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "AMG SL"
  - "Convertible"
  - "luxury"
  - "Mercedes-AMG"
  - "Mercedes-Benz"
  - "Roadster"
  - "SL"
  - "sports car"
---

# Next Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Will Be an AMG-Developed 2+2, Report Suggests

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/04/mercedes-benz-sl-class.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Once an icon of style and luxury, the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has rather lost its way over the last decade. With [the S-Class cabriolet covering the more luxurious end](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/5252/the-mercedes-s550-cabriolet-is-the-ultimate-yacht-rocker>) of Mercedes's high-end drop-top portfolio and [the new AMG GT Roadster handling the sporty side](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/8883/the-2018-mercedes-amg-gt-c-roadster-scorches-arizona>), the aging SL finds itself the awkward third wheel at a rather exclusive get-together. Worse yet, the SL-Class is one of the oldest models left in the Mercedes lineup, dating back to 2012. So for the [forthcoming next-generation SL-Class](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/951/can-mercedes-benz-save-the-sl-roadster>), Mercedes-Benz is trying to help the roadster nestle better into that niche by giving it a little more room...and a little more zoom.

During an interview at the New York Auto Show this week, [AMG bossman Tobias Moers told *Autocar* that a 2+2 layout "would make sense"](<https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2018-mercedes-benz-sl-will-be-amg-engineered-22>) for the next Mercedes-Benz SL, as it would give the car more room. It would also better allow the car to butt heads with its arch-rival, [the Porsche 911](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/8744/next-porsche-911-caught-winter-testing-in-europe>), which offers a pair of rear seats best suited for cats.

Also helping the new SL-Class keep up with the Porsches: AMG is reportedly spearheading the development of the new convertible. “It is being kept secret at the moment, but AMG is heading the engineering of the new SL,” a Mercedes-Benz insider reportedly told *Autocar*. “It’s going to be a vastly different proposition to today’s model.”

According to the British car mag's sources, the new SL-Class will be the first Benz to use a new modular platform designed for sports cars, which will also go on to be used for the SLK SLC replacement. Power will come from a variety of engines, ranging from Mercedes's new inline-six to [the 4.0-liter AMG V8](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/8975/mercedes-amg-glc63-packs-tons-of-power-in-two-different-bodies>) and [the 6.0-liter AMG V12](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/1533/mercedes-benz-g65-amg-the-stats-they-wont-tell-you>). Oh, and it'll also ditch the retractable hardtop used on the model since 2003 for a nice multi-layer soft top, since retractible hard tops are so 2008.

## Author
Will is the former managing editor of *RIDES Magazine* and the former online editor for *0-60 Magazine*. He has worked for *Time Out New York* and *Rolling Stone*, and was the creator of *College Cars Online*, the first automotive blog specifically targeted at college students and young professionals.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/willsabelcourtney>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/willscourtney>)