Benz Faqs

Mercedes engineers are hard at work on a new model. Spy photographers have been able to snapp photos showing a test car with a disguised front end. Whether we’re looking at a facelifted current-generation SL or a mule for an all-new model remains to be seen. The current SL just received a minor refresh, but this prototype caught testing near the Arctic Circle reveals more substantial changes.

Up front, the wider grille opening gets a crosshair design with a mesh background. Although the lights are covered, it’s clear they will employ a more rectangular shape than the current model’s dual-lens look. A deeper airdam is visible as well, although it appears unfinished so we don’t expect the final product to look exactly the same. Changes to the rear end appear limited to a new taillight design as the rest of the bodywork looks identical to the current SL65 AMG.

The spies at Hidden Image reckon the car pictured here is a major facelift for the 2008 or 2009 model year. They say the updated SL will get an all new front end including grille, air intakes and headlights as well as a new rear end and new taillights. But we’re not convinced. Development appears far too early along for this to be a 2008 model, which would have to be in showrooms by late summer.

So let’s assume that this is a 2009 SL-Class instead. An all-new SL is expected for either that model year, or the 2010 model year at the latest. Why would Mercedes completely redesign the front of its flagship roadster, only to replace the entire car one year later? With that in mind, we believe this is actually a test mule for the next-generation SL-Class.

Automakers often graft all-new front ends and engines onto previous-generation bodies in order to complete early testing. The current SL was introduced for the 2003 model year, meaning a replacement should arrive seven years later, for the 2010 model year. Of course, Mercedes could bring the new model a year early, as it’s planning to do with the 2009 E-Class.