Mercedes has issued a single teaser image of its facelifted SL sports car, ahead of its global debut at the LA Motor Show next week.
While no specific details have been confirmed, it gives us a good look at the front end, which we’d only previously seen in heavily disguised spy shots.
Look closely and you’ll notice the familiar Mercedes face has been turned on its head – with the new diamond grille now wider at the bottom rather than the top. It echoes the Carrera Panamericana-winning Mercedes 300 SL from 1952, and sits between new S-Class-inspired headlamps.
The lower bumper has been redesigned, too, with the LED daytime running lights moved from the bumper to the headlights. This leaves a more space for more intricate lower vents and a smaller central air intake. The bonnet also appears to have been tweaked, removing the two central creases for a smoother design.
We have no information on the inside of the car, and while changes are likely to be small, there’s a chance we could see the complex infotainment system lifted from the S-Class and S-Class Coupe. Expect plenty of leather and metal, as well as other smaller detail changes.
Under the skin, engine options will be carried over from the current car, with a choice of a six-cylinder SL 400 and eight-cylinder SL 500, as well as performance-oriented AMG SL 63 and SL 65 variants. As with many mid-life facelifts, expect Mercedes to fine-tune the suspension and chassis to make it both more comfortable and better to drive.
We’ll not get UK specs until next year, with first drives scheduled for February 2016. A company insider has hinted that prices may fall slightly – despite an extensive range of interior and exterior tweaks.
Can a facelift bring the Mercedes SL to the top of the class? Let us know what you think below...