The real reason why the 2022 Mercedes AMG SL (R232) has a back seat and AWD!

After speaking with the Chief Engineer and Chief Exterior Designer all-new 2022 Mercedes AMG SL (R232), MotoMan gets behind the wheel of the 2022 Mercedes AMG SL 63 to discuss the three key points that stand out about this generation of Mercedes SL: The back seat, the return of the soft folding roof and the all wheel drive system. Along the way, he provides some insider insight about the new Mercedes AMG SL 55 & Mercedes AMG SL63 . . .
#Mercedes #MercedesAMG #MercedesAMGSL #MercedesSL55 #MercedesSL63
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[@TrueLeadership777]

When the UI (user interface) screens are tested, I wonder if the manufacturers do it while the vehicles are stationary. Even a modern mobile phone screen cannot be used while we are walking/cycling/driving etc without injuring ourselves in some way. Dedicated knobs are essential for functions used while being mobile.

[@KevGoesRiding]

appreciate the backstory on the car, and looking forward to the review! It's a wonderful car, only wish it was either a hardtop convertible or fixed roof

[@epicon6]

Hard top with gull wing doors..

[@Ramkumar-cn7cx]

Fixed roof comes with a GT coupe version soon. It's C192

[@timothysmith7478]

Amg gt

[@ronaldk.wileyjr.5476]

Every car should have a volume "knob". Even with the steering wheels having volume controls...

[@Fluterra]

It’s not a knob. Pay attention.

[@jesdadotcom]

@@Fluterra EVERY CAR SHOULD STILL HAVE A VOLUME KNOB.

[@Fluterra]

@@jesdadotcom agreed. I'll keep my '19 AMG GT.

[@shahaan400]

Nope. Don’t care about the volume knob

[@randomsurfer3963]

This looks more attractive than the current AMG GT in my opinion, I wonder what the new GT will look like after seeing this..

[@the-boring-car-guy]

Mid engined so very different

[@randomsurfer3963]

​@@the-boring-car-guy Not that different to be honest, engine in GT is still at the front of the car but behind the front axle so not a typical mid engined car like Cayman, the McLarens and so on ..

[@the-boring-car-guy]

Well you did say look like. The car will look significantly different being a mid engined supercar

[@neill3040]

I completely disagree, I think it’s similar but a step backwards. The GT looks more aggressive and exciting and has a significantly better interior

[@shih-hanchow8945]

From what I have read/heard, the new AMG SL is replacing the GT and S coupe. There will no longer be any future production of the GT...

[@zachg9065]

Love the design, hate the fact that there are no buttons in the car, just dont get why companies keep doing this, it's almost as of they are doing it on purpose just to make people mad.

[@TrueLeadership777]

They assume everyone has a touch screen phone so it would be logical to integrate into car user interfaces 🤦

[@zachg9065]

@@TrueLeadership777 Nope, not the same.

[@markus8484]

@@zachg9065 the answer is easy. It is much cheaper to put every control in a central display instead if creating numerous of buttons. I hate it too!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

same here hate no buttons and car should have a hard top better for winter. Not really a fan of the new design either it looks too much like an egg.

[@ZedaaaaHD]

Thank god there is BMW, they give all the options buttonwise

[@e.o9470]

finally a beautiful Mercedes after many years.

[@ikemotosystems1434]

The proportions in this are absolutely perfect. Gorgeous looking car.

[@GCarnell]

Love the history and context you provide. Really sets you apart from your counterparts.

[@MotoManTV]

Thank you! Merry Christmas . . .

[@GCarnell]

@@MotoManTV Same to you and yours!

[@ZE4MC]

I do have to see it in person- my 2017 SL550 just hits a home rune for me- I can see others not liking it but I get more compliments than ANY other car I have had- and I have had some nice ones.

[@simbaroberts8210]

Don’t get why people don’t like the current style. It’s a classic.

[@ohroonoko]

Modern soft tops like this one and the 992 911 cabriolet are nothing like old school soft tops where you could see the “rib cage” beneath the cloth. It’s a weight and center of gravity advantage, for sure, but I agree with you that it’s an opportunity to make the car pop with a contrasting roof color. I’m fine with this not being a hard top convertible.

[@michaelglisson8240]

Great discussion and video! Cool that you're driving in such weather to show that it's ok, no the convertible is not going to melt or flood! Wish the party trick was a retractable center screen, so that it's just the driver's screen and the open top with the most important knobs being physical.

[@MotoManTV]

Notice the difference in the weather between the beginning of the episode to the end . . . It was touch and go there for a while:)

[@wintermagebarthow8481]

I always thought that the decision to make a small car a 2+2 was solely for the insurance benefit.

[@Kaeineir]

I loved the historical stuff. I would love to see more of that! The story is more important than the car

[@hockeymann88]

I think this thing looks great, inside and out.

[@grahamtricker4103]

They ought to sack the designer/stylist, putting a screen that big which just looks like it been thrown in there. It should be half that size and integrated into the dashboard. These screens are very dangerous as they distract you from concentrating on the driving...

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

exactly horrid interior design and car looks like an egg!

[@MasterPeroxide]

Man you got every point in my head. I love this car for the design, the proportion, the back seat, the soft top instead of a hard top that makes it silhouette sleeker and leaves it more trunk space. I especially agree with you in the toggles and knobs part. My perfect interior is still the Bentley Continental, with the 3-side flip screen. Timeless.

[@MasterPeroxide]

I also dislike the black wheel hub with the silver edge, looks like an underground modified car, not a premium look. The silver hub is nice though.

[@erissitone]

Breathtaking! Can't wait for the 73...

[@Mmmmilo]

This is legitimately the best-looking car I’ve seen in years, and I’ve not been liking recent Mercedes designs much. I would pick this over a 911.

[@TheDonYG]

I'm starting to appreciate the interior, but the headlights I don't like it cause it reminds me of the flopped CLS 3rd gen

[@peruface]

The old amg gt design is timeless

[@franzvanjulio5523]

I think that looks quite stunning. I love proper GT cars and agree with you that there needs to be more buttons and toggle switches. I’m not in the place to buy one, unfortunately, but I’d love to buy one if I were able to. If I could buy one, it would be my main car without a doubt. My other car would likely be some SUV of sorts, let’s just say it’s a Range Rover, and finish with a luxury sedan like a Bentley. Mulsanne.

[@carmangeek8882]

They can take the huge touch screen and shove it. Looks like hell . I'm buying a car not an ipad on wheels. Stuff the screen and give us the switches.

[@terrymurphy2637]

I'm a 10 year retired 31 year veteran MB Sales/Sales Manager. My 1992 R129 that I've owned since 2008 still looks better & feels more solid than the R230 that followed. Hope you are right that this R232 looks better in the flesh as to me it's pretty meh. MB should go back to building cars that were " Engineered like no other car in zee vorld ! " No Dash knobs & silly distracting oversize tablet would be a deal breaker for me. I prefer the Pre-facelift AMG GT.

[@SkippyPB.]

Still have my 2000 R129

[@CP-vg4vy]

Realistically no one is ever satisfied, when the AMG GT came out people were saying the same thing. Give it some time…we haven’t seen in person and there’s not a single review out.

[@alcorsi1968]

Really looking forward to the full version. Bring it on very soon!

[@MotoManTV]

Looking like January 12 or 15.

[@정용수-q7x]

'

[@gibshall2007]

Best looking two door Mercedes available.

[@cliffbarr1993]

Gorgeous!

[@epicon6]

I think this looks nice but i would have liked to see a 2nd gen S-Class Coupe instead. I know they dropped it because it didn't sell enough but still i don't really like this car because i know a 2nd gen S-Coupe would have been 10x nicer.

[@kondjanegongo796]

The CL and S COUPE are the most amazing including the S Cabrio..

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

same here or another proper AMG GT car. The new AMG 53 GT looks terrible!

[@ronaldk.wileyjr.5476]

This is a PURELY beautiful car. If your friends liked that 90's SL, I can see why they might not like It. You can't buy taste & style in a human being, but you can in a product.

[@SWAGKINGSBD]

No hardtop convertible

[@alexparker848]

Design looks great, but I share your view about wanting more buttons. Also, I'm blessed to own the previous generation SL AMG and I will be interested to see how the rear view compares with the much smaller soft top rear window as opposed to my present generously sized rear window with my folding hard top

[@askalphai]

do you find the r231 reliable? I had an r230, it was a nightmare.

[@LitleBear]

Looks fantastic, have not heard a whisper about this car.

[@karlk.6819]

do you know if the rear seats fold down? thank you, amazing channel

[@KerterBerger]

the spec on that car is gorgeous. only thing i dislike about the car would be the backseat headrests

[@mls.design]

Obviously I prefer a Lexus LC500 with a N/A V8 of a Mercedes. Way more special and luxurious.

[@MotoManTV]

While I like this design . . . the LC 500 Convertible is achingly beautiful . . . and boy do I want one:)

[@IceDree]

Gotta love the Burmester speaker grilles on high end Benzez, I like the turbine fan AC vents as well, nice touch. The screen? Not so much.

[@MotoManTV]

You ain't wrong . . . but something tells me you will like the exterior design of this . . .

[@IceDree]

@@MotoManTV I'm withholding judgement until I see it in the metal.

[@Island_Landlord]

Awesome review as always- appreciate you sharing the details on your interactions with the internal team. I only wish they kept the hard top and didn't place a giant ipad so centrally. Takes away from the driving experience for me.

[@spy2sa54]

This thing is beautiful

[@DanielSadjadian]

Such a gorgeous car, love the new design and that V8 sounds lovely 👍

[@aman4189]

What color combinations would you recommend on the new SL 2022?

[@macstone9719]

I will need time to judge this. It's like that for me with every new SL. I am sure you will supply us with more to judge it on 🙂 Und frohe Weihnachten aus Deutschland!

[@jazlally4144]

will there be a hardtop version ? SLC ?

[@awkarhud7549]

I really like Mercedes Benz, why? because in addition to a luxury car, elegant, fast, also a sophisticated car because of technology😍 greetings from Indonesia! Thank you for reviewing the car I like

[@danyb97]

This is one of the best looking cars in the world 👌🏼

[@curtr.5083]

Man, what an opportunity to get to chat with the major project leads like that. Sign me up for some press-car interviews if they are all that posh. Great video, thanks!

[@MotoManTV]

You will be seeing more of those in the near future . . .

[@gullylifestyle99]

That bump was hard

[@Tony-hj7bm]

whoever does not like this design is out of their minds just an awesome design

[@waynegto1484]

Being a 4Matic - all wheel drive does it come with the drift mode like the E63s

[@sasothestrategizer]

Beautiful vehicle. Red top, you can’t go wrong.

[@Fluterra]

What’s the weight distribution.

[@askalphai]

wish the center screen could slide in into the panel for a more analog type ride. That ipad just breaks things for me.

[@arnenel8642]

A stunning looking car!!!

[@wintermagebarthow8481]

I agree with the desire for more toggle switch-works. I do not like digital center displays, call me a recidivist. ( I am a Repeat offender in loving classic style) At that price point I want luxury themes in line with Bentley or Rolls. Beautiful real materials with hidden tech. The Tech should never be on central display. Think about cars with outmoded navigation or U/I systems that simply do not age well. Big screens baking in the California/ Florida Sun will look like what in 8 years? That being said, I still cant wait to see the first drive review. Thanks Moto!

[@Piranhabites]

Yes, you are right. This will be looking ugly in 15 years.

[@Hans-Larsson]

The R231 is excellent when it comes to draft in the cabin, this makes me deeply sceptical in this regardl for this 2+2.

[@pritchettdan]

I've had 2 SL cars. I like the new design.

[@mesuesja80]

More flat headlamps and front slightly tilting like older ones instead of opposite would make it much better! Ofcourse less front overhang but that is there for pedestrian safety and some other reasons!

[@hobgoblinoftruth5815]

Fabulous want one

[@Xhgne-rabbitChen]

NICE CAR

[@timothyburnside3229]

Let's hope for a nice blue color with the saddle interior!

[@3204clivesinclair]

Those back seats are perfect for two carryon bags. Trunk space is reserved for a roller suit carrier.

[@hanswurst6742]

Dislike the softtop on this car. It was always and advantage of this car that it was a hardtop. Dislike the interior with the capacitive button bs. And the backseats are so small, why bother at this point. just do a hardtop. The softtop ruins the design. I drive an F-type cabriolet and I gotta agree the Coupe looks better. Also the giant screen that reflects light nonstop.... cardesigners nowadays play to much on the smartphones

[@Piranhabites]

I drive a BMW M8 with softtop. Best softtop ever. Never again a steel hardtop.

[@Carfan678]

Couldn’t disagree more having the soft top means taking up less trunk room, and the different color combos look hella classy screams old money. White with a red soft top is 😍😍

[@Tracertme]

As a design, this 🤩 is stunning, better than a GTC I suspect in driving dynamics as well. 💯 better than a BMW 3 & 4 series BBQ front grille… can’t wait to drive a SL 63 back parcel seats, shelf great for my soft luggage. It’s a practical car for distance and trips away.

[@noname-dv5py]

Smart talk 👍

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

Will this cost less than the AMG GT convertible?

[@aveenmahabal]

which would you go for SL or 992?

[@MotoManTV]

You know the answer to that question.

[@TML34]

The 992 over the SL for sure. Now, if we’re talking AMG GT-R Pro, well….can I have both? 😅

[@DerekJohnson-us7vy]

New SL looks great. Kind of like a cross between a Porshe 992 ragtop and an AMG GT.

[@RomanticPopPunk]

Now you got me curious about what the Stuttgart team sketched out

[@marksilverman3693]

Engines available? Trim Levels available-C, S?

[@Bentsi2002]

Thank you, I placed an order for the Lotus Emira and now I'm doubting myself, it seems like the delivery of the SL will be faster as well.

[@MotoManTV]

Ben, I say this with all the love and respect in the world as a recovering Lotus man . . . Drive a 992 and this before writing a check to Hethel.

[@javifabela]

Great vid. I am nearing retirement and thos is the car considering as my retirement gift

[@shih-hanchow8945]

I also feel it is important to mention that this will be an AMG product from conception. Not a vehicle that AMG took and modified after the fact. Look forward to the official reviews!

[@MotoManTV]

Spot on.

[@southeast78]

I think you really like the engineer.

[@dimarcodrahgi5866]

That massive tablet seems so out of place why isnt it integrated/ designed into the interior of this 100k car

[@britishagent]

Couldn’t agree more. It’s hideously out of place and spoils the overall interior classic look the team worked hard to achieve.

[@clauswolfgangmeyer1377]

BEST!👌

[@pawelwisniewski6849]

What’s the price ?

[@petejr7583]

Hmm, that small back seat and soft top reminds me of my’05 CLK55 cabrio.. You sure it’s not a resurrected CLK? Seriously, it looks sharp, but it’s like a cross between the AMG GT convertible and E 53 convertible. I really don’t see where that Carlsbad design team contributed all that much. Merging two existing cars that already share the same design language isn’t ground breaking or dare I say befitting a new SL generation. They didn’t move the needle at all with this patchwork of existing Mercedes cars. I agree with you; the touchpad controls everywhere are a mistake. I much prefer the design and redundant user interface in recent MB’s like my ‘20 GLC 43 to this. The bigger central screen is nice, but there should still be tactile controls for basic operations. Even my AMG steering wheel is superior to this black touch sensitive variety. I think the universal verdict is in, this is a poor solution; perhaps Mercedes already had this interface design locked in? Look for Mercedes to revert to redundant tactile controls in a few years. For the money, I would rather the AMG GT convertible. If you need the small rear seats, the E53 or S63 convertibles, assuming they are continued.

[@gexpe2003]

Beast

[@jamesrose298]

I think the car is gorgeous

[@KC-bv9kf]

Just when I have written off of the SL’s as the other gold chain car (Corvettes), they showed a little glimpses of protests.

[@heatheroneal4969]

When the gt coming out

[@vladipp2850]

excellent review as always. Nice design overall, especially side and 3/4, but need to see it in the flesh. Personally, i would have preferred a bit more space in the back, to create more of a comparative (space) advantage vs. the 911.

[@pwm0021]

Given the fact that Mercedes Benz has retired the S Class Coupe and Cabriolet, I struggle to understand why they would build this as a replacement of the Outgoing SL and GT Cabriolet. The SL had over the years evolved into a GT/ Cabriolet whose greater emphasis was on luxury, and nor outright speed, and that formula worked, given how well it sold in the 80s, 90s, and the past two decades. Maybe, I'm getting a bit old, but I'm just not sold on this car. We're not in 1955, or 1961, where and when Mercedes had just adapted the SL from the Gullwing cars. I think this New 2022 SL has now disrupted the evolution of the SL with a backwards revolt, which in my view, is not necessarily a good thing. The technological advancements in this car are wonderful, but, and a Big BUT, This Car leaves me cold and depressed.

[@TML34]

I don’t get why it exists in the lineup. You’ve already got every flavour of roadster with the GT variants.

[@SkippyPB.]

Exactly, this should of been part of the AMG GT family. Not sure why they called it the new SL. They already have the AMG GTC Roadster. This does not make any sense. The rear lights look like the Infiniti Q60 Redsport.

[@CP-vg4vy]

@@TML34 those are discontinued and there will be a new line of GT that will differentiate from current lineup.

[@MotoManTV]

LOVED the S Class Convertible and firmly believe they will be classics . . . it will take a while, but buy one now.

[@Fiwek23452]

This isn’t an Mercedes-Benz vehicle it’s an Mercedes-AMG different sub brand

[@djcoronel]

wasn't the press event for this vehicle held in Temecula Wine Country?

[@MotoManTV]

We drove through it . . . the B Roll with the Yellow and Red cars was shot at a Vineyard there.

[@djcoronel]

@@MotoManTV Gotcha - thanks. My parents live amongst the wineries there and I thought it looked quite familiar.

[@after75]

Are they going to make a new SLK too?

[@MotoManTV]

No word.

[@Fluterra]

“More knobs” - oh wait, like in the 2019 AMG GT, which was much more of unique *everything* than the new SL?

[@ohroonoko]

I went to 6th grade camp on Mount Palomar. Too bad about the weather.

[@stevesmith866]

Your friends who own older SL’s don’t like this car? I remember when the 1990 sl came out thinking there will never be a cooler car. Impossible to top it. this 2022 is the cats ass. Stunning.

[@MotoManTV]

Also felt that way about the R129 . . . Bruno Sacco knocked that one out of the park! As for the Cat’s Ass . . . Can’t say I have heard that one before.

[@SWAGKINGSBD]

It doesn’t have a hardtop convertible which is the main point of these cars

[@LawrenceMarkFearon]

Glaringly obvious the R232 was designed from a wishlist of people who don't drive SL's. That's why your SL friends didn't like it. It's more S-Class Cabriolet than SL roadster. This is the classic problem with chasing market share. As a car becomes more attractive to the consumers, it becomes less true to it's principles. This thing has a column shifter. Loved by consumers. Despised by core SL drivers. That tells you all you need to know. Please Mercedes, our SL is about being exclusive on the interstates -not about being popular on Rodeo.

[@MotoManTV]

Can't argue with you about the column shifter.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Has Mercedes fixed the 48v battery defect in their cars yet? How is reliability long term? Those concern me in an expensive car.

[@MichaelFrancis222]

Where is the hard top?

[@ss.0175]

Amg SL❤️

[@SCDC-Channel]

Amazing looking car with the ugliest display ever....

[@macmovieman1]

I wish there was someway to know if my 6 foot five body weighs 280 pounds would fit comfortably or not into the vehicle. I almost wish there was a review site or different size people getting in and out of the cars.

[@MotoManTV]

I am 6' 00" and fit with room to spare.

[@macmovieman1]

@@MotoManTV Thank you.

[@SaintGambrinus]

The AMG performance seats in this review are the same ones that are an option in the current AMG’s. They’re designed to be form fitting for V shaped or slender frames and even at 6’1” I love them. If you fall into that category, they’re phenomenal seats, but if you’re heavier you won’t be comfortable. I’m sure there’s non performance seats as a standard option which will fit a majority of body types, but I have yet to see a review that showcases them.

[@macmovieman1]

@@SaintGambrinus Really appreciate those details and at 6’5” 280, I might be too big. Not on the slender side but not fat. I decided to agree to buy the Model S this week and should have it delivered in the next few days. It was a $100 to hold the car and I decided it’s the right path for my wife and I at this time.

[@phillm156]

Haptic usage is a good way to get a new car (crash).

[@jimmyyoh8144]

I have the GTc. This looks so close to my GTc.

[@tamasszabo8824]

What happened to "bis später"?

[@aus10li]

They really need to make a coupe version and not just convertible only. Who still drives soft top convertibles?

[@MotoManTV]

Uh . . . Porsche folks. Aston Martin folks. Mustang folks. Camaro folks . . .

[@duckhorn]

nah it just had space left when you get lid of hard top convertible. and changed to soft top.

[@mahmoudghoneim8004]

MB should have benchmarked this with the Bentley Continental GT if the brief insisted on the 2+2 configuration and not the 911 which should have been an AMG GT territory.

[@javiermarques4657]

Will there be a six cylinders? I think all SLs generations should have one sixer at least.

[@MotoManTV]

They made no mention of it but I would not be surprised if there is an AMG SL 53.

[@firefox39693]

0:23 My immediate response to the view out the front was 😳😳😳😳😳😳 wtf? How can you even drive in that?

[@perry1559]

Two seaters have higher insurance rates than 2X2’s, soft or hard tops.

[@jorgheyer5645]

Beautiful design, great interior, just a shame that we spot again too much piano black plastic on the center console, for over $ 120 K, bring in some open grain natural wood !