SL-Class [Spyshots] 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R231) Facelift

[MBFanToDeath]

Arriving next year as 2017MY

Our spies have sent us the first batch of images depicting the Mercedes-Benz SL facelift.

Revealed towards the end of 2011, the SL (R231) will get a facelift sometime next year which judging by the camouflage fitted onto this prototype will come with substantial changes at the front. The grille, bumper and headlights are covered up in camouflage and there's also some disguise at the base of the hood.

It seems the top will also go through cosmetic surgery while the rear end appears untouched but upon closer inspection you will notice the design is covered in body-colored camouflage, hence the duct tape on the bumper’s sides and the cutout for the parking sensors.

At the moment it's not known whether the facelifted SL will come with changes in the engine department. As a reminder, Mercedes-Benz introduced an entry-level SL400 variant last year with a V6 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine outputting 329 bhp (245 kW) and 479 Nm (354 lb-ft) channeled to the wheels through a 7-speed automatic gearbox.

Expect the Mercedes-Benz SL facelift to be unveiled next year as a 2017MY.

Source: WorldCarFans

 

[Merc1]

Uh oh, here we go. Fingers crossed.

M

 

[SDNR]

I'm glad they're changing the front ........I never liked it.

I hope the face lifted front looks more like the AMG GT's.

 

[Merc1]

Maybe we will see this at Frankfurt this fall.

M

 

[PHYBENZ]

Even more curious to see what they do with the interior... They are going to have to figure out how to put a much larger nag screen in there.

 

[kiki voinea]

Is it just me,or Mercedes is starting to over-use this headlight design?

 

[SCOTT27]

Looks far more promising visually. But did you see that upturned grille?

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Agree.. looks like an inverted grille. Almost Infiniti like.

 

[Monster]

Looks far more promising visually. But did you see that upturned grille?

Yes, it kinds reminds us of the 300 SLR

From the surprisingly light disguise I don't think the new front end will look good either.

 

[Merc1]

I don't think there is much hope for this car. The proportions are wrong. The overhangs are too big, especially the front. That is not easily changed. I'm sure they will fix the lights, but massive visual bulk this car has won't be going anywhere IMO. It is too big to the svelte roadster the SL has always been.

That said, it would be nice to see the SL400 switch over to a 365hp engine and the 550 get the full 449hp of the S550.

M

 

[GTA45E]

Agree.. looks like an inverted grille. Almost Infiniti like.

Agreed...
The inverted grill might follow the shape of the headlights better than the current one.

The SL needs a total redesign. The whole thing turned out wrong to begin with imo.
Adding tid bits to improve things simply will not help.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Kind of surprising that they'd debut such a landmark design change (inverted grille) on a facelift. Maybe this will become a design characteristic for their roadster range (SL, SLK)?

That hood shutline is not going to look good!

 

[ThroughandThrough]

I hope Mercedes doesn't follow the trend (fad?) of inverse-styled grills. From the Spindle grill to Infiniti's newer designs, an inverse grill is a mistake IMO.

 

[Twinbeemers]

Look at the Autobild renders for R232, you can see how the inverted grille looks like and it looks good.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Looks like the SL is going to get some major front end surgery a la the W212E.

The volumes of this model simply don't justify a full redesign which is why they even kept the roof from the previous model. I think it will be another 5 years before we get a complete new model.

 

[Monster]

I hope Mercedes doesn't follow the trend (fad?) of inverse-styled grills. From the Spindle grill to Infiniti's newer designs, an inverse grill is a mistake IMO.

I don't think Mercedes is following the trend, it has gone back to its own history books and take inspiration from the 300 SLR as I have posted above.

 

[SDNR]

I don't think Mercedes is following the trend, it has gone back to its own history books and take inspiration from the 300 SLR as I have posted above.

Yes I agree. I can't say I love this approach. One of the reasons Bruno Sacco is so highly regarded is that his approach was so progressive.

Iconic design is rarely so derivative of the past. Sacco saw design as an evolutionary process ......today's approach is more "Metamodern": it is heavily focussed on symbolism and moves back and forth with styling from the past meshed with new forms that are only possible with the latest algorithmic technology.

Having said that, I do love the AMG GT .....an iconic design if ever I saw one.

 

[Wolfgang]

... might also be inspired by the Gran Turismo? Remember the unveiling in Sunnyvale.

http://www.germancarforum.com/threads/mercedes-benz-amg-vision-gran-turismo.49890/page-3

 

[NTT]

could it be sporting a ' fabric ' roof ???????

 

[Wolfgang]

^ Maybe?