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2016 Mercedes-Benz SL R231 Facelift Is Getting Back to Basics Ahead of LA

Just like we told you last year, way before anyone else, the Mercedes-Benz SL R231 is heading towards its first facelift, with the refreshed model's unveiling set to happen next week, at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Mercedes-Benz SL R231 Facelift 3 photos
Photo: Daimler AG/edited by autoevolution
Mercedes-Benz SL R231 FaceliftMercedes-Benz SL R231 Facelift
As expected from the countless spyshots taken in the last year, the facelifted SL will sport an all-new front end, whose complexion will be more in line with the current design language of the three-pointed star.

“Sensual purity” is what Gorden Wagener, head of design at Mercedes-Benz, calls the uniformization regarding exterior design of the various models that compose the carmaker's current lineup.

The SL R231 has been criticized for its somewhat awkward front-end design since it was unveiled back in 2012. The facelift teased by the image attached to this article aims to fix that, as most of the new design motifs have been inspired by the gorgeous Mercedes-AMG GT.

We retouched the original teaser image to make the main mods stand out more, so excuse its poor quality. The biggest difference compared to the current SL is obviously represented by the upside-down diamond engine grille, whose shape is an homage to the original Mercedes-Benz SL (W194), the highly successful racecar from 1952.

The headlights are pretty much a nod to the ones from the GT, as is the shape of the hood and the lower part of the bumper. The side and rear of the car will remain largely identical to those of the current model, which shouldn't be much of a problem since they weren't bad-looking to begin with.

The interior should get a slightly larger infotainment screen and the latest version of Comand, while engine-wise things shouldn't be changed much. An SL 450 AMG Sport version could be squeezed between the SL 400 and the SL500, all of which will send power through the new 9G-Tronic instead of the old 7-speed. In fact, just the two AMG versions will keep the 7-speed transmission, with the SL63 getting the multi-clutch MCT version, while the SL65 will make ends meet with a reinforced version of the 7G-Tronic with torque converter.

The facelifted SL will be unveiled next week, at the 2015 LA Auto Show, with deliveries to begin sometime in March 2016. Despite featuring slightly improved technology and performance, prices should remain largely similar to those of the current model.
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About the author: Alex Oagana
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Alex handled his first real steering wheel at the age of five (on a field) and started practicing "Scandinavian Flicks" at 14 (on non-public gravel roads). Following his time at the University of Journalism, he landed his first real job at the local franchise of Top Gear magazine a few years before Mircea (Panait). Not long after, Alex entered the New Media realm with the autoevolution.com project.
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