http://www.topspeed.com/cars/mercedes-slc/ke2744.html

 

Every manufacturer in this sector targets the 911.

 

When I see cars like the SLC being labeled as the "competitor" it brings back the pre 991 debates (on the 997 forum) discussing whether Porsche has gone too soft with its new car . Similar discussions BTW arose when Porsche launched the 996 . It almost seems like the 993 and the 997 were the last of a certain type of traditional 911 and with that in mind then yes .. a bloated Mercedes might actually be considered "competition" . I find it somewhat sad even though i happen to like the 991 .

 

The 991 may be softer and smoother and being more and more considered as a GT-car, but it is still so light on its feet and so connected with the road that none of the 'bloated competitors' (future SLC, M6... F-type) is coming close.
I do not think it is sad, it is just that other brands think that it improves the perception of their products when they say it is 'as good as a 911'. But if the 911 driver is not a yuppie who bought a P-car as a status symbol, he will not cross shop and he will go for a 991.

For a little less than a 911, you can have a GT-R and for a little more, an R8. Those are at least the cars I see on the road on on the track around me being driven in a sporty way. Never a Merc', a Jag' or a heavy BMW (excepted for some M3's).

 

I'm not prejudging any car. The 911 can't possibly be the best car ever and not ever get real competition. This will be my first Porsche and maybe I'll become a Porsche guy for life but maybe not. There's no way to know what the SLC will weigh or how it'll perform until it's introduced.

 

Mercedes was known to make luxurious cars until AMG tried to redefine it a little . Porsche on the other hand built early 911 cars with simplicity and raw driving in mind . These are very different concepts .

The 996 was the first 911 which tried to add some luxury leaving behind the 993 which had a 1960's style dash, offset pedals , and all the quirky ***** and things which kept a driver focused on driving . The 996 was so controversial that when Porsche redesigned the car they opted for traditional .. the 997 . In fact the Gt3 retained both the dry sump engine as well as the manual gearbox until now .

The 991 seems to attempt some sort of compromise . Most can't argue the numbers or the comfort . It seems to have the best of both worlds .

But if you look at some of the guys who decided to keep their 997 and 997 Turbo cars . if you look to some of the auto journalists who praise the 991 but hesitate on some philosophical level .
If you look at some previous and present older model 911 enthusiasts who respect the 991 but simply have not bought one and they just can't seem to put their finger on why. Then it might just come down to some of the GT comforts and how it's perceived .

At least that's what I think about when i look at the Mercedes .

It's also what I hear over and over and again when a forum member looks at a 991 with all the latest and greatest gadgets and says " heck with it I'm buying a 993 , or a Gt3RS , or a Boxster spyder " (in short any other Porsche which still is what it used to be ).

 

While I'm waiting at my P-dealer I have some time to say something about this car...

First my own look at this car (if I offend people with it, I make my apologies already):

The only thing that will "compete" with the 911 is the fact that this Merc will probably be produced in the same city. Other than that, there will never be anything from Mercedes that competes with a 911 or any other Porsche. AMG may get a lot of power out of engines, but building a sportscar is something totally different. They're just dull cars with no soul and a design that shouldn't be called a design at all. Can't imagine that anyone at Mercedes has ever thought about how a car should look. They're ugly!

But that's just my opinion of course... As you probably can see, I'm not a fan of Mercedes


And now an independent look on it...
Mercedes is known for luxurious cars that are well suited for travelling long distances. Even their "sportscars" are more comfortable than sporty. It can be a competitor on terms of a nice performance GT. The 991 may be evolved to a sort of GT, but when you take it to a track, it still shows its true sportscar DNA. That is something where almost every "competitor" fails. A 991 is the best of both worlds you can get these days. It is a reasonably comfortable car to travel longer distances and with a push of a button it changes into a true sportscar , ready for use at a track. Mercedes can try to take a shot at it, but IMO it's not in the company's DNA to make a car that is a true competitor..
IMHO the only german premium brand that should be able to make a car that is a true competitor is BMW (Audi too, but like Porsche they're VAG and they will never allow that)

Suzy991

 

I wouldn't dismiss Mercedes so easily: they did give the world in the mid-fifties the 300 SLR Gullwing that dominated Le Mans in its day but then the company took a different direction than Porsche. Porsche made only sports cars and stayed true to that for decades before becoming a complete car company; Mercedes was a complete car company that made two sports cars, one of which was the dominant car of the time, albeit for only a couple of years.

You are most likely correct that all they'll give us is another variation on the theme of big engine in a small luxury car but since this is a wholly new car, there's nothing to prevent Mercedes from making a car that can be used on the road and on the track. I'm therefore withholding my opinion of this car-to-be until it is a fait accompli.

BTW, I have never owned a Mercedes so I don't have a bias toward or against them.

 

How flattering that first corvette and now MB are targeting our 991's. love it., almost as good as watching porsche clean up yesterday in 24hr lemans GT classes.

 

I have to admitt that you're right about the Gullwing. I like the Mercedes cars of the old days, but like you said, since the late 60's - early 70's they went a totally different direction. I also think that Mercedes has a different image/status in the U.S. compared to Europe (or at least Holland). Of course they make very good and well built cars that last forever, but somehow I just don't like them. Especially the last couple of years their designs are just really ugly IMHO.
Maybe it's because they're associated with either taxicabs or trailerparks where I grew up and having a dad who was very pro-BMW and anti-Mercedes will not help very much too I guess.
I wasn't trying to offend anyone. Just gave my own opinion.

I've driven some mercs but they all felt the same in some way. Dull and no exitement at all, except the noise of the AMG V8. Build quality in the interiors isn't that good either when you compare to BMW, not even mentioning Audi that really makes the best build interiors of all german premium brands and is at the same level as Porsche.

Suzy991

 

I think the manufacturers have no intention to beat the 911, but comparing
It to the 911 will get buyers to look at it more closely. When the 911 beats the manufacturers offering it can state that it is a close second and may sway new buyers.

 

Suzy991 you forgot to mention in addition to taxicabs, trailerparks, MB are regularly used as farm tractors in Germany to pull various farm wagons, some not smelling so sweet.

 

Porsche used to built tractors as well....

 

But those tractors didn't have four doors and 17" wheels

 

Lamborghini too... But mercedes doesn't build tractors. Their cars are being used as a tractor, alltough that's mostly in former East Germany I think.

Suzy991