New Mercedes-AMG SL interior revealed

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the high-tech “hyperanalogue” interior of the new Mercedes-AMG SL and it’s claimed to take its inspiration from the original 300 SL Roadster of the late 1950s.

Developed by Mercedes-AMG, the eighth-generation SL convertible hasn’t been fully unveiled yet, but we’ve been given a fairly good idea of how it’ll shape up thanks to a number of spy shots and official previews. 

Now, the German car-maker has revealed the 2+2-seat sports car’s luxurious new cabin design, including a fancy new dashboard and centre console dominated by the latest M-BUX infotainment system as seen on the new S-Class limousine.

This time, however, there’s a slightly smaller 11.9-inch version of the same tablet-style vertical touch-screen, which can be electrically tilted forwards or backwards as needed to avoid reflection when driving topless.

Of course, there’s also a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster that’s integrated into a 3D binnacle ‘visor’ and said to be inspired by aviation.

Mercedes-Benz says the latest-generation M-BUX system brings self-learning capabilities and allows the driver to personalise the touch-screen layout with several displays and main menus. 

The driver-focussed layout, which also features newly-developed galvanised turbine nozzles or air-vents, is said to have been heavily inspired by the original SL.

A head-up display and 64-colour ambient interior lighting will be available as options for the redesigned 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL Roadster, which is set to reach Aussie shores next year.

The new AMG-engineered SL will return to a four-seat layout – just like the Porsche 911 Cabriolet – for the first time since the R129 generation produced between 1989 and 2001.

But its rear seats will be little more than token gestures – also like its most direct competitor – perhaps in part because they need to leave room for a supercar-style rear transaxle arrangement underneath.

Indeed, Benz says the rear seats will only suit passengers up to 1.5 metres tall. When not in use, a draught-stopper can be positioned behind the front seats or owners can use the rear seats for additional storage.

Up front, the sports seats come with integrated head restraints and are said to offer “perfect ergonomics and various progressive seam and attachment patterns”, as well as appearing lighter and less voluminous than before.

Optional trims include two-tone Nappa leather, diamond stitching on Nappa leather or a leather/suede combination.

Mercedes says the door cards have been designed to flow fluidly from the dashboard and come with built-in metal Burmester speakers up top.

Based on Daimler’s lightweight new aluminium-intensive Modular Sports Architecture (MSA), which will also underpin the next-generation Mercedes-AMG GT, the 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL will forego the folding hard-top roof of its two most recent predecessors in favour of a new fabric soft-top.

As we’ve previously reported, the next SL roadster will come with a lower centre of gravity and offer 18 per cent more torsional stiffness.

An AMG-only model that will also replace the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster, it’s expected to be offered with several petrol engines including AMG’s 48-volt mild-hybrid 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder and, for the SL 63, a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8.

“The SL is an icon of the brand with the three-pointed star: This roadster has stood for automotive fascination and desire for decades. A great opportunity and challenge for design, because every designer wants to create icons,” said the Daimler Group’s chief design officer Gorden Wagener.

“The result is a revolutionary interior experience caught between digital and analogue luxury. We created the most iconic SL ever since, the luxury icon of the 20s.”

Stay tuned for more details on Merc’s latest top-shelf roadster ahead of its global debut later this year.