Mercedes-Benz will unveil special editions of the SLC and SL roadsters at the 2019 Geneva Auto Show. The compact SLC roadster will receive both a “SLC 300 Final Edition” and an “AMG SLC 43 Final Edition.” The larger SL roadster will receive “Grand Edition” versions of the SL 450 and SL 550. Differences between these editions and the standard SLC and SL models will be cosmetic, with aesthetic changes, premium details and special badging.
The AMG SLC 43 Final edition will come in a model exclusive “Sun Yellow,” a tribute to the original SLK roadster from 1996. The SLC 300 Final Edition will come in “Selenite Grey” and feature high-gloss black wheels, door handles, and mirrors.
The SL Grand Edition roadsters will come in “Graphite Grey” with “applications in high-gloss chrome and matte silver.” They will have a lowered sport suspension, high-gloss black AMG wheels, and an assortment of fine leather work from Mercedes’ “designo” workshop.
Mercedes did not mention pricing for the SLC and SL editions. They will arrive at U.S. dealers in 2020. No, Mercedes will not throw in a manual transmission “for old times’ sake.”
Luxing up these roadsters should inject some interest in two model lines that have become a bit tired. The SLC has not received a full overhaul since the third generation SLK launched in 2011. The sixth generation SL has been around since the 2013 model year. The SLC and SL saw declines of 30.3 percent and 27.7 percent in U.S. sales in 2018. Combined, the two models represented just 1.3 percent of Mercedes’ U.S. sales last year.
Interesting and still unknown is what, if anything, Mercedes will do next with the SLC. It’s hard to get more ominous than “final edition.” Mercedes could birth a new roadster from the entry-level A-class. They could go in a different direction altogether with a cheaper performance car. Let us all pray some weird small convertible SUV-type thing is not in the works.
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