Mercedes-Benz came to introduce six new models at the 2019 New York Auto Show, but it also brought us news on the next-generation SL-Class. A brand-new two-door will arrive in 2022, and the German brand has big plans for it as it will, apparently, be built by AMG.

The new Mercedes-Benz SL will be developed by AMG

Now a stand-alone division that produces its own cars, AMG will handle the development of the next-generation SL. According to AMG chief Tobias Moers, the new SL will be developed alongside the next-generation Mercedes-AMG GT. The latter is the first vehicle designed by AMG, and it has already expanded into a full lineup that includes various engine outputs, coupes, and convertibles, as well as track-prepped and race-spec models. More recently, Mercedes-AMG started working on the Project One, a full-fledged supercar.

This probably means that the SL will evolve into a sportier vehicle overall. The two-door is already powerful enough as it is, but it will likely benefit from an AMG-prepped chassis for better handling, even in base spec.

While it will be developed by AMG, the SL won't adopt the Mercedes-AMG nameplate like the GT did. It will carry on with the same name, but Mercedes will probably revise the versions it will offer. Most likely it will drop the AMG SL65 model powered by the V-12 engine, so the AMG SL63 will remain the range-topping model. An AMG SL53 version will probably bridge the gap between the SL450 and the AMG SL63.

The new Mercedes-Benz SL will have new engines

The current SL is among the last Mercedes model that still features the company's old V-8 and V-12 engines. The SL550 comes with the 4.7-liter V-8, while the AMG SL63 has a 5.5-liter V-8 under the hood. The AMG SL65 features the old 6.0-liter V-12. All three mill will be discontinued for the new generation. While the V-12 will go down together with the AMG SL65 trim, the SL550 will disappear to make way for the AMG SL53, while the AMG SL63 will have a new unit.

This new engine will be the familiar twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 that already motivates almost all AMG cars and SUVs out there. This engine generates up to 577 horsepower in the AMG GT sports car, but it cranks out up to 603 horses in the S-Class. Needless to say, the new SL won't lack the power in AMG trim. And it won't in non-AMG trim either. The current 3.0-liter V-6 will be revised for the new generation, and output will increase to around 380 horses.



The new Mercedes-Benz SL will have a hybrid drivetrain

While the standard SL will carry over with the V-6 and the AMG SL63 will feature a V-8, the AMG SL53 model will arrive with a mild hybrid drivetrain. The system that pairs a 3.0-liter inline-six gasoline engine and an EQ Boost starter-alternator will be taken from the AMG E53 Sedan and will pump a combined 457 horsepower and 568 pound-feet into the SL. It will mate to a nine-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system and will enable the two-door to hit 60 mph from a standing start in less than 4.4 seconds.

But this isn't the most significant news concerning electrification. On top of the EQ Boost, the SL will also feature a proper plug-in hybrid drivetrain. There's isn't much info about it right now, but this hybrid will probably pair a gasoline engine to a couple of electric motors. Moers said that its upcoming plug-ins are likely to use their electric motors continually to boost power.

"What we’ll do with our performance hybrids is have a different attitude. We have to make sure our we must have an always-on strategy – it’s a combined situation, we must always have the combustion engine and electric power otherwise the car is not having its full potential," he added.

The new Mercedes-Benz SL will arrive in 2022

Although the current SL is in production for seven years as of 2019, it will take three more years until Mercedes brings out the new generation. The Next SL is scheduled to break cover in 2022, just when the current generation celebrates its 10th anniversary. The new SL will be followed shortly by the second-generation Mercedes-AMG GT sports car.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.

Read our full review on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL 417 Mille Miglia Edition.