Here’s A Skeletal Look At The Next-gen Mercedes-AMG SL

• It could replace the AMG GT Roadster alongside its predecessor.

• New bodyshell is lightweight, at 270kg, thanks to the use of aluminium, steel, magnesium, and carbon-fibre elements.

• Mercedes has hinted at various powertrain combinations, possibly even petrol-hybrids.

Mercedes-Benz has given us an under the skin teaser of the next-generation AMG SL roadster ahead of its expected debut later this year. One key bit revealed about the new open-top roadster is that it will be built on all-new architecture.

The carmaker claims this lightweight composite aluminium bodyshell has been designed from scratch. Not a single component is shared with the current SL or the AMG GT Roadster.  

This new bodyshell features technical wizardry going and aluminium, steel, magnesium, and carbon-fibre elements. This makes it quite lightweight, at around 270kg, without the doors, bonnet, boot lid, and add-on assembly parts. 

Of course, there are improvements over its predecessor, with torsional stiffness increased by 18 percent, transverse and longitudinal rigidity up by 50 percent, and 40 percent compared to the AMG GT Roadster. All this should help the new SL tackle corners better than before. 

That being said, the next-gen SL will retain the four-seat 2+2 layout as its predecessor. Detailed technical specifications haven’t been revealed yet, but Mercedes has hinted that various powertrains, including hybrids, will be on offer. Rear-wheel drive is likely to be standard, with the higher variants getting the AMG 4MATIC+ all-wheel drivetrain.

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This big of an overhaul for the next-generation Mercedes-AMG SL Roadster in its architecture alone could mean the AMG GT Roadster may also get the axe alongside the current-gen SL Roadster. Production will take place at the Bremen plant in Germany.