LEAKED: Facelifted Mercedes SL 350

Facelifted Mercedes SL 350

First photos surface

By Frank de Leeuw van Weenen
January 22, 2008 10:12 AM
Filed Under: German, Leaks, Mercedes-Benz

Ahead of official release

After the initial leak of the backside of the newly redesigned SL series, a low resolution SL 65 AMG was circulating the internet, now come the leaked images of the regular SL. The Mercedes SL class had its last update only in 2006, four years after its initial launch.

Motorpasion was first to discover images of the facelifted Mercedes SL 350, but Dutch Autoblog took it upon themselves to scour the net for more. Resulting in the small, low res photo album attached to this article. The front end looks sportier and cleaner with its single chrome bar centered in the grille, new headlamps and hood lines. The rear light cluster hasn't changed much, but the lower part of the rear bumper has gone through some redesigning.

Stay tuned for the official release by Mercedes for in detail information.

Source: Motorpasion via Autoblog.nl

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Comments

bigpkone

January 22, 2008 11:22 AM

the front looks like opel corsa opc. not very exclusive...

bigpkone

January 22, 2008 11:23 AM

i'm speaking of the red one!

usersupercar

January 22, 2008 12:02 PM

It's no good

bassam

January 22, 2008 12:09 PM

very very very ugly....and you talking about bmw design,at least it is a new ideas...hah

Penner

January 22, 2008 12:13 PM

I like it! Indeed the previous design was better I think.

TheStig

January 22, 2008 12:19 PM

I think this not Mercedes-ich

wisp

January 22, 2008 12:35 PM

This design is mixed masala. Mercs cars are very much looking like they are being designed by Kia Motors.

wisp

January 22, 2008 12:41 PM

Mercs excellent design, ha ha ha not funny hey.This design is a combination of Hyundai (lights), Opel (front ridge/line of symetry). They no longer have original ideas and are just cheap shopping from rivals. What ever happened to their innovative good designs.

bmw_GA

January 22, 2008 1:00 PM

the hood looks like it came from the chrysler crossfire. maybe merc is borrowing some designs from their old partners....a very unfortunate move if you've been unlucky enough to see any of the new chryslers.

abughaleb

January 22, 2008 1:25 PM

The theme seems to be late 50s 300 SL; the single slit grill, side vents, and the two bulges in the engine cover. Beautiful cues, not beautifully executed

afterace2

January 22, 2008 1:55 PM

indeed, the hood, the side vents and the grille reminds me of the 50s SL, and i think this one is looking preety nice as well, at least the silver one with the dark headlights. Too bad the rear is almost the same as the old model's

Alfafox5

January 22, 2008 3:30 PM

The red model picks up the light the best IMO, I agree that Mercs are looking rather choppy these days. I remember loving the clean sleek lines of this brand. It seem Audi is the last brand to keep it simple and timeless. All the wild angles, cut lines, character lines, shut lines and breaks leave me wanting a lot more from such a respected brand. I also agree that to leave the tail the same is a mistake, I can imagine redoing the trunk would be a big deal with the roof, but they could have at least updated the tail lights. Perhaps they will surprise us and create a real lean car that is easy on the eyes the way the Mercs in the 50s and 60s were. Until then, I am heading over to the Audi dealer.

Peace!

foose1397

January 22, 2008 3:32 PM

Im sorry...it doesn't work...the front has been made to angler to leave the back completely untouched...still wouldn't buy one

SD-AMG

January 22, 2008 3:33 PM

I think it looks good. I like the details from the old 300 SL. But I have to see it IRL before I know whether its better looking than the "old" one.

jrcsh6

January 22, 2008 3:47 PM

i don't know...maybe it's better in person? i don't hate it but it's not nearly as clean as previous varients

kattanh3

January 22, 2008 4:55 PM

butt ugly

xLumino

January 22, 2008 6:26 PM

I think, Mercedes did a good Job in showing a new frontdesign. The headlights are not the best idea for that, but the main problem is, that they made such a huge changing for a facelift. They change from smoothe and roundish shapes to strong edges and organic proportions. Maybe great for a complete new designed car, but not for the existing R230 The backskirt is nice, but looks like a tunerjob...Lorinser for example

afterace2

January 22, 2008 7:20 PM

i wonder if they will make a similar changes to the SLR, as soon in will be the only MB's model with the rounded headlights, of which they seem to be trying to get rid of

stillthewhizz

January 22, 2008 7:28 PM

Didn't expect that. Not good.

moyusuf

January 22, 2008 8:43 PM

Are you sure it's not an SLK??

bakrione

January 22, 2008 8:49 PM

i thought this was the crossfire facelift??!?!

catch22

January 23, 2008 2:22 PM

Yep bakrione, this definitely looks like a Crossfire, how sad!

The front design is not coherent with the rest of the package.

Merc-Benz

January 22, 2008 9:25 PM

Mercedesssssssssssss

designerr

January 22, 2008 9:45 PM

sorry for mercedes,sorry for mercedes design chief,sorry for germany,its the third ugly mercedes after F700,GLK.anybody knows what happend in mercedes benz design studio?????????????

January 22, 2008 9:50 PM

This is so ugly! The worst ever facelift by MB. The current model looks much better.

designerr

January 22, 2008 9:54 PM

congratulations mercedes,,,,,,,,,,the third ugly mercedessssssssss.....look back pleaseeeeee

unknown

January 22, 2008 11:05 PM

the smaller SLK looks alot better. the lights look hideous

saint_dracula

January 22, 2008 11:15 PM

My posterior, one (only hypothetically) uncleansed for years and with accumulation of all filth is, after only a moment of consideration, decidedly aesthetically more pleasing than this car. Even my intestines would look more attractive on a canvas.

nettsu

January 22, 2008 11:38 PM

it doesn't look finished and why wouldn't they make the SL look more like the CL?

its a shame as the current gen SL is probably one of the best looking cars Merc has ever produced... now with this the CL class the new C Class I think Mercedes is officially losing the plot...

german-cars-lover

January 23, 2008 12:16 AM

It's really great . I like it and it's much much much better that the previous one.

dbehmoaras

January 23, 2008 2:01 AM

looks very nice; here are the cues for those who are interested: front: grill and hood are slk, bumper is c300 sport with sport or amg versions, current e-class base version, headlights are revamped cls roof: exactly the same side: slightly update, particularly the side vent rear: lights/trunk are completely unchanged (major disappointment as that was what I was hoping to change the most) bumper: slightly updated, but still looks like a kit

dli6990

January 23, 2008 2:08 AM

first the ugly GLK, now this hyundai-like SL?What is up with Merc??? Angry!!

unknown

January 23, 2008 3:34 AM

ok i think i figured it out...make the car ugly so therefore no one can copy them...pure genius!

dolcegabbana

January 23, 2008 6:23 AM

why is every1 talking so much **** , i'm sure in person this car will look hot and mean , look at it in red it's fantastic all you audi and lexus lovers go S***CK A D***CK , audi looks same exact for 20 years it's so annoying, the front end looks hot and i'm sure in person it will look awesome why is every1 so negative , the rear bumper is kinda stupid with out a doubt

maybachmbenz

January 23, 2008 7:36 AM

The MB design house has gone berserk. Quick! Hide the SLR McLaren before they slap on a similar nose as this new SL.

designerr

January 23, 2008 8:19 AM

shame u mercedes,,,shame u peter,,,shame u dieter,,,,

benzboy

January 23, 2008 10:19 AM

hey I have to keep in mind that this is lower level SL for euopean customers and is not the SL 63 or 65 slated for the USA, which will have deeper more masculine body moldings ie; the AMG clading. Cant wait to see actual pics of the that car.

Zaskar

January 23, 2008 3:19 PM

@Benzboy AMG wont be that much different. AMG styling package of course ( bumpers and so on ), little spoiler lip on the trunk, different wheels of course and inside a littel more aluminum and amg speedometer.

benzboy

January 24, 2008 10:01 AM

I agree with what your saying but the amg pak will make enough difference to me lower body panels, different rims and a flat bottom steering wheel just makes my nipples hard.So I will be getting the SL 63 as soon as I can order one.

Zaskar

January 23, 2008 3:23 PM

oh, and i forgot: wait for a flat-bottom steering wheel ...

ck314

January 23, 2008 4:08 PM

As usual 80% of negative comments come from immature 3rd world clueless jerks! In my opinion this restyling is the best thing they could do with a +6 y.o. design, at least with the AMG styling package featured on the grey car. This combination of sharp edges and sleek volumes is ideal, and eventhough these backlights deserved a bit more attention, the beautifully integrated edgy lower part coordinates the new front end. And, as usual, it's gonna look way better in person.

xLumino

January 23, 2008 5:00 PM

oh guys, please can you add just little words like "opinion" or "taste" to your commentions? You're speeking for yourselves and not for all. Most comments are simply nonsense, sorry!

designerr

January 23, 2008 8:13 PM

DEAR ck314, I AM NOT FROM 3RD WORLD.BUT IN FACT ITS NOT IMPORTANT WHERE R U FROM. IF U HAVE THE BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF CAR DESIGN ,U NEVER SAID ITS A GOOD RESTYLE. MANY YEARS AGO FORD DO SOMETHING ( NEW EDGE ), MAYBE MERCEDES DESIGN TEAM INTEREST TO CONTINUE FORD WAY. BUT I AM SURE IT CANT ANSWER GOOD. DESIGN DIFFER FROM PERSON TO PERSON AND AGE TO AGE......

I HOPE U UNDERSTAND THAT THE MAIN MARKET FOR SL-CLASS IS ARABIAN COUNTRIES.U CAN FIND INFO ABOUT THIS IN : CARMARKETING.COM

ck314

January 23, 2008 8:26 PM

haha You are completely design-illiterate dude, and the funniest part is that you pretend to have us believe the opposite! According to your absurd theory car makers should stick forever to fruity rounded up bio design (90's Celica style) forever. Weren't many cars in the '60s and most of them in the '70s edgy? What's Ford's new edge have to do with anything? Just go feed your camels and stfu!

designerr

January 23, 2008 10:57 PM

dear ck314, thanks so much,here is a public site.thanks again gentleman

ck314

January 23, 2008 11:03 PM

Public space doesn't necessarily means putting up with a bunch of random bashing and illogic comments. This only contributes to degeneration and, ultimately, destruction of the site. "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." [Abraham Lincoln]

unknown

January 24, 2008 1:25 AM

it seems like you are the one getting butt hurt ck314. if you are tripping over opinions on this website, i suggest you stop reading and posting on here because that's all you read here.

ck314

January 24, 2008 1:40 AM

How am I getting butt hurt? You simply didn't read the whole thread or don't comprehend plain English. I totally respect different opinions for as long as they are constructive and based on logic, but you can't force ppl to cope up with stupidity or junk comments for the sake of it. And I'm sure most serious car enthusiasts agree with this. So at the end you're the one tripping over my humble opinion.-

unknown

January 24, 2008 7:04 AM

ck314, yeah you're right. i reread what you wrote and i just notice that you're the biggest baby on here. haha

designerr

January 24, 2008 8:21 AM

dear ck314,u need someone to respect you and your opinion???ok man,,,i respect u and ur opinion.dont forget different people have different taste so why u want to say u are right and the others go wrong??? its true,my english is not good but in art center college of design we learned how to design and how to analysis different cars.i am sure u are the biggest on here but its better to let other people. u are not unique.

ck314

January 24, 2008 3:48 PM

Again, did you even read what I just wrote? I've always respected different opinions as long as they are based on logic and car basics. Weren't you the one implying I had no basic knowkedge of car design for praising the latest SL's restyling? A car you have not even seen in real life, and then making nonsensical allusions to Ford's past design. For all you know I could be Luc Donckerwolcke or Walter Da Silva. Besides, on other threads you've claimed that the C-Class was so greatly executed (which it is). Ok, so isn't a C-Class Avantgarde or AMG still edgier than the facelifted SL? Either you contradict yourself totally, either all you have seen in your little town are Peugeot 504 estate, 4th hand Mercedes W123 and some post colonial Austin Morris.

Zaskar

January 24, 2008 5:42 PM

@Benzboy Yeah. the AMG versions will look alot "meaner", thats right. Well, if the styling and the steering wheel makes your nipples hard already, wait for the ride :-) SL 65 amg made my nipples hard, thats for sure *LOL*

ck314

January 25, 2008 2:28 AM

This grey 350 is already featuring the AMG body kit. SL63/65 will just get 4 exhaust pipes and slightly different wheel design, plus specific seats, steering wheel and dials inside.

benzboy

January 25, 2008 10:30 AM

wou8ld not want an SL65 For me its just overpriced, overkill. Plus I would never want the same car that brittany Spears and Lindsey Lohan drive LOL. Yeah the SL63 will do it for me Hard Nipples and all!

ck314

January 26, 2008 2:40 AM

SL65 = clueless new rich straight line posers SL63 = discerning good drivers

designerr

January 26, 2008 1:36 PM

ck314,thanks for your fast reply.would u please send me your email address,then i show u some cars like sl65 AMG,S65,NEW LAMBO,ferrari,masserati,etc. what do u think little man?????? i respect your proffesional comment but i cant understand why you say this???????? if you are not agree with me,its ok. but why u said like this??? my graduated project in pasadana was a new idea for miniute mercedes in 2002. so i know mercedes and design proportion,please be polite/open your eyes if u think u live in paradise and the other in hell.world is changing rapidlly

ck314

January 26, 2008 8:04 PM

Little man? lmao Listen dude, don't focus on the irrelevant to change the subject, it's not about subjective opinions anymore, but facts. Period. How can you be taken seriously when you're bashing stylish and well proportioned cars such as MB's new SL and new GLK for being edgy, all the while acclaiming the C-class, which is the same sharp-design league or the new bulky Skoda Superb, totally unbalanced with its 1-metre long front overhang and 1Âº axis to dash ratio?? Then you pretend being a Mercedes design expert lol Wasn't the R 107, one of the sexiest Benzes ever, and the first one displaying modern cues in the early '70s (foamy dashboard, safety steering wheel, chiseled back lights, aerodynamic side mirrors, etc.) full of sharp lines? Same goes for the W116, one of my favorite sedans ever. And when did mention I was living in paradise? Just get a clue and think twice before rattling nonsense please.

designerr

January 26, 2008 9:15 PM

dear ck314, u think wrong about my opinion.i love previuos models are really nice,well proportioned,etc, but look again at new sl.its better than previous???new c-class is edgy with balanced proportion,but new glk????az i told u before design is like taste,u love sl and many people here hate it like me,u are not agree with new superb but i think its a nice car.R 107 is really sexy i am sure,but new glk???anywaY, i live in stuttgart, i am asian but live here for more than 25 years.u want to say you are unige???ok ,everybody here can read and vote.be polite

ck314

January 27, 2008 2:53 AM

Of course, to me the latest version (with AMG body kit + 19" wheels) looks way better than the outgoing one, with those overrated oval headlights and flat ageing nose, plus the new steering wheel has got a cleaner sportier design. To the point I am seriously considering ordering one instead of waiting for the restyled S-Class. But this is personal. I would have respected your views had you stated you liked the older version better, but you went further stating that it was a total mess, which it obviously isn't. I'm actually pretty sure most of the ppl criticizing this car today will change their minds in a few months time, once the car becomes familiar on the streets.

designerr

January 27, 2008 2:50 PM

ck314,thank you for your comment.iam sure that mercedes benz design team can do more better ..what do u think???

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