Once again, pictures of a new car have leaked onto the web before the manufacturer's official debut date. Sometimes this sort of thing is an actual leak involving skullduggery, corporate betrayal, miniature cameras and journalistic derring-do. These days, it's usually a manufacturer's thinly-veiled attempt to whip-up interest in a relatively mundane product. Anyway, as you can see on Autozeitung's website, the changes to the new Mercedes SL-class roadster are hardly revolutionary. The new bits primarily involve the front clip, where a RetroBig grill now resides (RetroBig is my name, not theirs). The SL's headlights have also morphed, from ugly double blobs to somewhat different ugly blobs. Looking at the front of this thing, you can't help but wonder if the outgoing model's a more reasonable evolution of the old 1990s Mercedes SL500. The next gen's front end looks more like a mutation. Other changes include a hideous bodykit all the way around, fishier gills on the side and an even more schizophrenic interior. Seeing one for yourself in person is the only real way to be the judge. In the meantime, the takeaway word for the new SL: busy.
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UGH! I think I wanna get one of the current models used in about two years. That thing is hideous.
Damnit, Justin, I haven’t finished my coffee yet.
I wonder if things will get to the point where manufacturers will offer their intended designs in the US and the uglified pedestrian-safe versions in the EU.
P Diddy designs clothes, Flavor Flav designs cars…especially the grills (Mercedes) and dashes (MINI).
Have the designers that inflicted side cladding on Pontiac for years moved to Germany? Ugh. There are lowered Civics around Toronto with more tasteful bodywork.
With Benz’s miserable quality, proliferation of models, and frequently awful styling, I hope they tank.
The current SL is overpriced and has a dubious repair record, but it’s gorgeous. Slapping the nose clip from the hideous new C-class on it is not an improvement.
At various points, the big BMW and Benz coupes and roadsters have been desirable, even (perhaps especially) to people who can’t actually afford them. This joins the 6-series on the list of reasons I see no point in buying a car more expensive than a 3-series, even if I had the money to spend.
Did they at least manage to take 500 pounds out of that beast?
Not sure I like the exterior changes much either, but the real news with Mercedes updates is always under the skin. They have finally eliminated the horrible electronic brakes, which were deleted from the E CLass in 2007. The AMG cars are recipients of the delectable 6.2 liter V8. I have also learned that AMG has invented a new automatic transmission without a torque converter. They promise faster shifts and more control.
Yeah it’s quite ugly. The last version looked a lot better, especially in a standard trim exterior without the AMG madness.
What I find particularly interesting is that with this second facelift they changed the rear lights back to the original 2001 SL before the 1st facelift. First they changed it from red and black to red and white and now they’re back again like they were before (red and black)…It makes the rear look like an older model that has some ugly sporty bumpers added to look contemporary.
Maybe they had some spare light units left?
Who the hell is running MB today?
I can hardly believe what MB has reduced itself to and is still sinking lower and lower.
MB used to be the embodiment of class and safistication. A Mercedes was never meant to be the most stylish or fastest car in the world a Mercedes was meant to simply be the BEST car you could buy, period. A car that was sure to last the owner 20 years.
Today Lexus is doing a great job of being Mercedes while MB is running around trying to be what Cadillac should be. Today a Mercedes is the car that people buy that WANT to be noticed.
“Hey look at my car! I have money! Right?
Nice Crossfire, M-B. Did your mom do that design for you on the way to school?
Those pesky European pedestrian safety standards have once again ruined a great design.
Sweet! The release of this car should help push the resale value of the current model down even quicker.
How much should a 4 yr old SL cost?
bring back the Gullwing.
argentla :
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
The current SL is overpriced and has a dubious repair record, but it’s gorgeous. Slapping the nose clip from the hideous new C-class on it is not an improvement.
At various points, the big BMW and Benz coupes and roadsters have been desirable, even (perhaps especially) to people who can’t actually afford them.
*raises hand in attendance*
I can’t afford one!! But as a previous poster mentioned, this thing makes the old one look gorgeous.