YEs it would be awkward to fit a car like that in MBs line up, the R8 seemed a natural fit in the audis. If MB decides to make competitor cars it would sort of be like them making an R8. which throws logic out of the window in regards to thier whole marketing standpoint.

If anything i see them just scrapping the SLR and making another car that showcases the best of their technology. I kind of see why they were not happy with Mclaren’s product, the SLR didnt have that much of a presence in the league of cars it was competed with. Its price of 300-400 k put it in a league with murcielagos,enzos, carrera gts etc while in a way it was always sort of a reskinned supercharched SL. THe next car will not be a rival for the R8 it will have a simmilar purpose (a showcase of company’s technology) other than that it will most likely go back into the leauge of enzos and lambos like the SLR. because other wise as nowei pointed out, it would cause many marketing conflicts.

Another thing is that if they do make it, it would really be expensive for them, since they dont have a mid-engine platform in their ranks right now. They would need to develop one from scratch for this project, and being them i would really have to contemplate if its worth using it for making a R8 compettitor or diving back into the super league and regaining their lost territory. Given the recent finacial chaoes in DCX i dont think mercedese in a position where they can make a move like this without thinking it over carefully, so i see just an SLR replacement not an R8 competitor, both? probably not at this time.

This Mercedes should be firmly in the 150k range. Thereby not hurting SL65AMG sales and giving a natural progression to MB’s next supercar.

Why are you all commenting on the pictures? You can discuss the idea of the car and the market segment it’s going to be in, but why comment on the pictures and blame Mercedes for the design?

~shahedc
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Youtube the comparison between the SL55 and the SLR from Top Gear. It’s cool, the SLR is on an entirely different league.

No one is buying the arrogant krrrraut’s überteueren zooooperwagen, and so now zay rrrrrun mit dem Schwanz zwischen den Bienen zurück to vher somevun might vant ihr Scheißstück. Vielleicht if zay vood built zumting dat jemand will in zee furrrst plaice, dann können sie was verkaufen. Blöde Stuttgarter.

Furthermore, am I the only person who thinks Mercedes’ biggest problem will be marginalizing their existing AMG models? It makes sense for Audi to offer a mid-engined supercar in the 100-120k range because it’s still pretty much the most expensive car Audi makes (save perhaps a W12 A8). And I can just about guarantee that if BMW decides to build the M10 it will, price-wise, slot above the M5 and M6 making it pretty much the most expensive car in the BMW lineup (again save perhaps a 760iL or something). Mercedes has the relatively unique problem of already having a variety of cars priced well above the 100k mark.

It seems to me that one of the biggest arguments against buying the SLR was the availability of the SL65 AMG for about 250 grand less. True, the SLR was, from a performance standpoint, the better car, but not necessarily $250000 better. It seems to me that Mercedes is simply going to be reversing their problem this time around. Why would anyone buy an SL65 AMG or even an SL55 AMG if they can get an SLS for cheaper?

Mercedes has always been a very upmarket brand (regardless of whether or not they have always deserved to be), so how much sense does it make for them to field a car in this segment? I mean, I’m not going to complain if they do, but if it was my company I sure as hell wouldn’t be doing this.

You don’t have to be mega-wealthy to own this car, just relatively well-off and a little stupid with your finances. I like it

I will miss the SLR because it was just an amazing machine. A masterpiece of the manufacturer. It looked it and by all accounts drove it as well.

This car is, I agree, on the funky side but is quite a looker. I’ve been liking the S-class and CL-class lately But this one I’ll have to let grow on me.