Mercedes SL Facelift: Official Pictures

Well shut my mouth. First the CL and the SEC and now this. Interesting.

Never payed any attention to such an old Benz in detail before Professor Rob...lol.

M

Re: Mercedes SL Facelift (Spy pics & info).

As we can see in the pic the rounded part of the headlamp is curved back onto to the fender.When looking from head on it looks weird because we dont see the third dimension but IRL it will look good especially when lit.

The rear bumper looks so-so towards the bottom,a diffuser would have looked better there.

^Well Pfeiffer has been raiding the archives for lots of classic styling "quotes" from the classic models.

These are applied [like metaphors] over the top of his own styling themes which are clearly influenced by the likes of Chrysler and GM.

Ok the Chrysler thing I can see why you'd think that since they were joined, but Cadillac. Come on Rob that really isn't so at all.

M

^ I actually meant GM in general ...but Cadillac too of course.

The GLK has clearly taken on some of the angularity of the recent Cadillacs.

Disagree with that Rob, totally. Mercedes has a history of angular design long before Cadillac's new "Art and Science" theme, that they've now dropped as far as the name goes.

M

^ really, what angular design are you refering too?


I would agree that in the past Cadillac have taken on several Sacco/Mercedes syling elements .....but Cadillac (and GM) have been at the forefront of this recent trend for sharp angles and rectilinear geometry.

Intresting to read that so many MB fans are against this facelift.

Mercedes older boxy look is what I'm referring to. I just don't see how anything Mercedes has done recentley besides maybe the ODC looks anything like a Cadillac. These new Cadillacs (save the CTS) are a mess IMO. The jet fighter look isn't what luxury car buyers want, i.e. the slow sales of the XLR and to a lesser degree the STS.

M

I think it's angle/colour dependent. Not the best but could have been much much worse. OK

Thanx for clearing that out

You're welcome.

Rob, your posts have been deleted as you requested.

:t-cheers:

Well I love it. Does look less convincing from some angles, bit IRL it'll be better. I love the grille, the lights are a bit strange but have grown on me. Now it won't look like a CLK from the front, the small grille and roud lights were the elements I liked the least in the pre-FL (which was my favourite Mercedes).

The rear diffusor of the AMG is not my favourite element.

The airscarf vents does look weird.

Can't wait to see this beast IRL!!!

My initial reaction to the FL was one of horror but I'm starting to warm up to the front. A very Bangle-ish reaction on my part.

Still, while the front is growing on me, it doesn't feel like it has been properly integrated into the design of the whole car.

I like it from some angles and not so much from others BUT in the end, all you have to do is look at the C-Class headlights to see what MB is doing here.

This will look great in real life. It will be HOT.

The design is a bit radical for MB similar to the drastic change of the 7er but after we get used to it, the current SL will look very dated quickly which is why they didn't mess with the rear too much.

By summer, after getting used to the drastic change, most skeptics will be converted fully. Mark-my-words.

:bowdown:

I don't like the front end.:t-hands: Still prefer the 2001 SL55 AMG in silver. That is one of the most beautiful cars of this decade .

First of all, I have to say, that I'm not a great fan of the new airscarf system. The old headrests looked much better and more elegant.

And then I noticed the following thing at the front bumper. Is this sth. like a headlamp wash system for the fog lights???

Maybe all these shots are only Photoshop. Someone playing with us? :t-hands: