Mercedes SL Facelift (Spy pics & info).

[justanthony]

well whateva it is, it aint the old 7 speedshift tranny. We'll just have to wait for confirmation. surely cant be long now

 

[Merc1]

I bet that MCT stands for Manual Control or something like that. Anyway, still no official press release so far today!

M

 

[cawimmer430]

Those Autobild CGI's actually look pretty good. I mean if the SL will look like this it is actually not as bad as I originally thought it would be.

By the way, I was reading today Autobild inside a cafe this morning and they talked about the new Mercedes SL. The entry-level model will be the SL350as usual, but instead of 272-horsepower it will get 315-horsepower: 10-hp more than the new SLK350. Interesting.

 

[Bilal]

SL63 AMG testing: listen to the sound!

At least, the 6.3 AMG engine still has those pops and crackles when backing off the throttle in 2nd and 3rd gear, and the sound of the throttle blip is quite something as well!

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[Pagani]

The MCT must simply be the updated version of the 7-speed that allows intermittend blips in throttle, ala C63. I doubt it is any sort of double clutch. However, if this is going to to into the V12 as well, that is interesting news.

 

[DC_insider]

Preliminary details have been sent to dealers. Nothing new but confirms rumours that have been floating around.

Official unveiling at Geneva motor show.

SL350 now with 315hp.

SL63 replace SL55 with 525hp and new MCT gearbox (no details on what MCT is though).

New colours, interior trims and alloy wheels.

New telematics.

 

[PanterroR]

Great! Now, pics please!!!

 

[Merc1]

I hate it when Mercedes does this, give every "350" model the same 315hp version of the new 3.5L V6. The C350, ML350 and E350 in particular need this, even if its just a good-looking on paper advantage. The C350 could be a blazing sports sedan with that much power and the sportiest suspension setup for 2009 here in the U.S. Dammit!

M

 

[cawimmer430]

I hate it when Mercedes does this, give every "350" model the same 315hp version of the new 3.5L V6. The C350, ML350 and E350 in particular need this, even if its just a good-looking on paper advantage. The C350 could be a blazing sports sedan with that much power and the sportiest suspension setup for 2009 here in the U.S. Dammit!

M

Wait, is the SL350 coming to America?

 

[Merc1]

Nope it isn't.

M

 

[justanthony]

Nope it isn't.

M

Which is a shame considering the new V6 generates more power than the previous 302hp V8 which was sold in the states.
Sometimes makes me wonder about this American market halo for benz. It's so keen to keep up its premium image it seems shy torelease some lower end models as well as smaller powered engines in the models available. It makes me wonder becos a.)it's not even it's biggest market and b.)Isn't it missing out on considerable sales.
I just think if its good enough for germany....

 

[Merc1]

Well to many high-end buyers a V6, even one with 315 hp is still a V6 and that is a no-no. Just ask Acura, they can't give away the V6 RL in a field of V8 cars (among other problems). The SL550 is 97K now so unless they dropped the price for a SL350 to about 77-85K I doubt it would increase overall SL sales. Very few people bought the SL320 version of the R129. MBUSA wants the highest margins possible which is why there are no V6 versions of the S or SL anymore and all 4-cylinders have been stricken from the U.S. market. Plus its an image thing too. This is why I've argued that Audi needs to drop the 4 bangers, no matter how good they are. 4-cylinders says "VW" to potential Audi buyers.



M

 

[GTA45E]

^
Agree, no doubt.

 

[Alwing]

Some leaked official photo's.
It's a normal SL with AMG package.

 

[KillerKarl]

Not digging those headlights otherise looks like a crisp new package. Not sure if there real actually. Look PS to me

 

[Zafiro]

Ugahh, Im not sure about those headlights, I need better photos. thank god they didnt change too much on the rear.

 

[Merc1]

Hmmmmmmmm....those looks real to me.

M

 

[Monster]

Looks real to me as well. Although many have predicted the shape of the headlights correctly, it is still a massive disapointment to see those extremely ugly headlights on the car. The rest is good but dam those ugly headlights

 

[Centurion]

That must be the real deal. So far so good, the front looks very beautiful and dynamic. I wish that the diffuser was unpainted.

 

[coolraoul]

waiting for better pics, looks very good so far.

The headlights...as you can see they are curved at the top. I see only one explanation to this: Benz did not wanted to change the front side panel. So they had to keep the same curved shape used by the pre-FL as far as the side is concerned!

I think they wanted to put some CL/C headlights, but finally decided not to change the side panel, so they put a curved shape above this C-Class headlights and this is the result.

Looks quite good, I can't really judge with these little dark pics. But I think it was not a very clever move because the lights now are part edgy part curvy... However it looks extremely well so far, I have great hopes it will look fabulous. The grille and front is gorgeous, so is the rear (I was worried about the strange diffusor but it looks awesome).