Mercedes Plans a Third SL Flavor for 2027, Split Three Ways
Mercedes-Benz will add a third SL variant for 2027, dividing the roadster into AMG performance, Maybach luxury and a calmer open-top model.
According to Motor1, Mercedes-Benz is preparing a third version of its SL roadster for the 2027 model year. The outlet reports that the lineup will split into three distinct personalities: a performance-focused model from Mercedes-AMG, a luxury-oriented version tied to Maybach, and a more relaxed open-top roadster.
Motor1 frames the preview around first details shared by Mercedes-Benz chief executive Källenius. The report centers on how the three variants are positioned relative to one another rather than on a complete specification list.
The arrangement suggests Mercedes wants the SL name to cover several kinds of buyers at once, instead of relying on a single model with different trim levels. Motor1's coverage does not describe the engines, pricing, or production timing for any of the three versions.
Further details beyond this positioning have not been described in the report, leaving the specifics of each variant open for now.
Background
The SL designation has been part of Mercedes-Benz's lineup since 1954, when the 300 SL Gullwing introduced a sports car that combined racing heritage with road use. Over the following decades the SL evolved into a long-running grand touring roadster, typically offering a folding hardtop or soft top, a focus on comfort and a reputation for distinctive styling. Its appeal has historically rested on blending sportiness with refinement, making it a flagship for the brand's open-top offerings.
Mercedes-AMG, the performance division now deeply integrated into Mercedes-Benz, has long supplied high-output versions of the company's models. Its involvement in SL variants is one of the most visible ways the performance brand reaches showroom buyers. Maybach, meanwhile, was revived in the early 2000s as an ultra-luxury marque and later returned to the Mercedes lineup as a premium sub-brand. Pairing either name with a single roadster is a way for a manufacturer to signal very different priorities within one nameplate.
Multi-variant strategies are common among premium automakers. Carmakers often use a base model, a performance-focused version and a luxury-oriented one to stretch a platform across a wider range of customers. This approach can broaden appeal and extend a model's life cycle, though it also adds complexity to development, marketing and dealer stocking. Any new SL variant would also reflect the broader industry shift toward electrification and changing expectations about performance, comfort and technology, although the report does not address those factors for this planned model.
Why it matters
The SL is among the most recognizable names in Mercedes-Benz history, so changes to its lineup draw attention beyond the immediate buyer pool. Expanding it into three distinct roles signals that the company sees room for a broader range of roadster customers, from those seeking outright performance to those wanting a quieter, more comfortable open-top car. How the company differentiates the three versions will shape whether they feel like genuine choices or overlapping trims.
For enthusiasts, the AMG angle raises familiar questions about how far the performance variant will push the model's character. For luxury-minded buyers, the Maybach association suggests a version defined by materials, quietness and bespoke touches rather than lap times. The calmer open-top model may matter most to buyers who want the look and experience of a roadster without the intensity of a performance car, which is a sizable segment in the premium market.
The announcement also shows how carmakers use established names to manage their portfolios. Keeping the SL badge across three roles can protect the nameplate's visibility while allowing each version to target a clearly defined audience. Whether that strategy strengthens the brand or dilutes it will depend on execution and pricing, neither of which is yet described in the reporting.
What to watch
The most important next step is the official rollout of the three variants, including how each is named and marketed. Clear differences in engines, equipment and pricing will determine whether buyers see separate models or a set of closely related options. Attention should also focus on whether the performance version receives technical details that distinguish it meaningfully from the others.
Observers will want to know how the luxury variant is positioned against Mercedes's other top-tier offerings, and whether the calmer roadster arrives with its own set of features or primarily shares components with the other two. Production timing and regional availability will also shape how quickly the lineup reaches buyers.
Viewpoints
Commentary from our columns: three angles on this story.
The Driver's Seat the enthusiast's take
The SL has always been a car people fall for on sight, and that is exactly why a third version matters. Mercedes is essentially asking enthusiasts to choose their own adventure with the same badge on the trunk. The AMG-branded version should be the one that gets the pulse racing, the kind of car you take to a mountain road on a clear morning and forget about the time. Yet there is something appealing about a roadster built simply to be driven with the top down, without needing to prove anything. The Maybach-linked variant, meanwhile, speaks to a different kind of driver who values quiet confidence over lap times. I like that the lineup acknowledges these differences instead of pretending one car can satisfy everyone. Whether each version earns its place will come down to how distinct it feels behind the wheel, and that is the question I will be watching most closely.
The Accountant price, value and running costs
A third version of any model raises a simple question: what does it cost, and what does it hold its value like? The report does not yet give prices, so buyers should avoid assuming anything about how the three variants will compare. History suggests that performance-oriented versions usually carry higher purchase prices and insurance premiums, while luxury-focused trims often bring costlier options and specialized maintenance. A calmer open-top model could offer a more affordable entry point, depending on its equipment. Shoppers should look past the sticker to the total cost of ownership, including depreciation, fuel or charging, tires, servicing and insurance. A roadster is rarely a practical daily driver, so the value calculation is partly emotional. Still, the difference between a sensible purchase and a regretful one often lies in understanding those running costs before signing anything.
The Skeptic open questions and weak points
Announcements like this are easy to admire and harder to evaluate, because so much remains unsaid. The report describes three personalities for one nameplate, but it does not explain how much will actually differ under the skin. Are the variants built on shared hardware with different tuning and trim, or are they meaningfully separate cars? That distinction matters for both the driving experience and the long-term value of each version. There is also a question of whether splitting the SL three ways dilutes its identity, leaving buyers unsure what the car is supposed to be. Heritage counts for something, but brands sometimes stretch a name too far. None of these concerns are proof of a problem. They are simply the questions that should be answered before anyone gets excited about the details, and it will be useful to see how Mercedes addresses them once more specifics emerge.