Mercedes-Benz today announced what look like final editions’of their SL and SLC models. These are the two models that escaped the brand’s massive product offensive that began with the 3rd generation A-Class in 2013. Both were shown and launched before that. Meaning they’re the two remaining models that were engineered for a different era of Mercedes-Benz.
This was an era where the nomenclature didn’t quite make sense and the company only sold about 20 models.
The SL and SLC are both extremely important models, but I wonder if they’ll be renewed for another generation. On the one hand, the SL’s roles as a flagship luxury grand tourer are being filled by the S-Coupe, S-Cabriolet, AMG GT Coupe and Roadster models. The current model failed to ever sell more than 10,000 units a year too, which is worrying.
The SLC too hasn’t been flying off the shelves as it once did. With models like the C Coupe and C Cabriolet, the decidedly last-generation interior and silhouette of the SLC probably doesn’t look quite as appealing as it used to.
SL Grand Edition
They’re sending the SL off with a ‘Grand Edition’. These will be available for both SL 400 and SL 500 models starting March 2019. New paint finishes, staggered (19″ and 20″) AMG 10-spoke forged wheels in high-gloss black, and a designo tundra brown pearl leather interior are highlights of this edition.
SLC Final Edition
The SLC is getting a literal ‘Final Edition’. Just like the launch colour of the first SLK (‘yellowstone’), the final edition wll be available in the exclusive ‘sun yellow’ paint finish. All variants (SLC 180, 200, 300 and 43) will get the treatment. It includes some nice paint options too, 19″ 5-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels in high-gloss black. Two-tone nappa leather and an AMG-Line kit will be standard in this version of the car. The SLC 43 will have a little more flair with some high-gloss black trim pieces, matte black 18″ 5-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels and more.
Well, if a new SL and SLC are announced later this year I’ll be happy to be wrong. Mercedes-Benz once hinted that they would offer at least 40 models by 2020, so perhaps the SL-family will be opened up further. SLE anyone?
