Spy photos: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL uncovered
Looks like the upcoming facelift for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL is almost complete. Our spy shooters caught this prototype with virtually no disguise although they do admit to removing a few pieces of black tape with some help from Photoshop. As expected, this SL will get a few minor styling changes up front like new lights, a one bar grille and a more aggressive air dam. The quarter panel vents now look like those used on the SLR supercar while the rear end gets a slightly revised lower valance...
Don’t expect big changes under the hood either, as Mercedes-Benz will most likely continue with the SL550, SL600 and SL65 models for 2009. The current SL55 AMG will finally get replaced by a new SL63 AMG, as the current roadster is one of the last remaining supercharged AMGs.
As much as I like the idea of a folding hardtop, they still look...um...trying to be nice, here...unusual?
It's that fat bottom, thin top that just looks unproportional.
This face-lift does nothing to help.
My problem is with the new headlights - the 'bent' shape eliminates the front to rear flow of the design. Porsche found that out on the 911, reverting to the oval after trying out the 'bent' Boxter look. Ugh...
I for one think this looks great! i can wait to see it in black.
It looks like a CLS from the front, and it reminds me a lot of the SL's from the 80's.
I like the "old" one better.
its ok looking... i dont really like the headlights. i agree with texases
YYAAAYY!!!!!! Celebrate the 3500th post!!!!! And I wish C-Class and that vehicle might get a wagon. Which could be redesigned sort-of.....
I, for one, think it looks quite good. While most hardtop look bulgy and slopped together, this one actually looks refined.
I think the front end looks fantastic. It doesn't have the baby fat the current model has. It makes it look like a sucessor to the 90's model, which is a good thing.
I don't dig the overdone side vents. It just looks excessive.
I also agree with the blob eyes. It didn't look good on Porsche, it didn't look good on Subaru, and it doesn't work here.
Oh... they ruined it. Though this generation had already been getting incrementally worse since the year it was introduced.
the car looks exactly the same, except for the front grille looks like the old school benz....but uuhhh, did the germans forget about the back? and they should really put on their creative-thinking caps cuz the old one looks better. also, they have to stop putting those stupid fins on the side. looks to me like they just slapped on a bunch of SLR goodies on the SL and said, "ja ist das genug gut". IT'S NOT A SLR
the old one is nicer from every angle.if it ain't broke, don't fix it. the current model is the sexiest car on the planet. i just need that bonus now more than ever before the 2008 is gone...
the one thats out now is way more nicer than this one
ummm. this is just wrong. the front reminds me of the 300 gullwing, but the current SL is hot enough.
I own a current generation SL and I prefer mine better, especially the head-lights. If they kept this new grille and kept the current head-lights, it might look pretty good!
Over-all, the car looks about the same, but much more modernized. Let's face it: The current one is getting outdated.
Anyways, this car has MUCH bigger problems than the appearance. The steering feel is AWFUL. The weight is exorbitant. The handling is OK at best and Mercedes makes some of the worst automatic transmission software imaginable.
If I had to buy a car again, it definitely would be a cheaper, faster, better-looking, better-performing, more usable 911 Carrera S cabriolet.
The 2008 SL's are definitelty better than this model. I have been highly anticipating the release of these, but now I am looking more into the 2009 BMW M6!
The headlamps from the CL coupe would look better here. These headlamps look like they're from a Chrysler Sebring. They have no place on this car or any other Mercedes for that matter.