SL/R230: 2009 SL Spy Photos
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: El Segundo, CA
2006 SL 500
2009 SL Spy Photos
http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enth...78.A12374.html
The above shows some spy photos and includes this rendering of what the 2009 might look like under those diguises.
The above shows some spy photos and includes this rendering of what the 2009 might look like under those diguises.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: El Segundo, CA
2006 SL 500
Someone beat me to it
Sorry, I see this pic was already posted by shahedC. The website that I got the photo from stated that it was an artists guess at what the car might look like under the disguises. Personally, I don't care for it - the current look will be awfully hard to beat.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 1
I as well like the current model but have to say the newer model isnt that bad looking but its not one of those where I have to upgrade to the newer one not much of a difference. It might be me but I dont think the lights suit this body style!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 3
From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
I'd bet money it wont look like that. That just looks so bad compared to the current model, I doubt its going to look like that. Maybe its the current headlights just blended into one glass piece or something .. who knows .. but its not whats in that picture.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: East Coast Baby!
SL55
Not As Nice
If it looks anywhere near that it's a shame. The lines of the car are ruined with that.
Agreed. Our cars I feel are destined to be classics as the gull wings were. Mercedes designed our cars to emulate it.
Best,
RoydRage
Agreed. Our cars I feel are destined to be classics as the gull wings were. Mercedes designed our cars to emulate it.
Best,
RoydRage
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Several MB's Superperformance MK III Cobra
I have an SL55 and truly enjoy the car but I doubt that the R230's will ever become anywhere near the classic that the Gullwing is. For one reason there were too many of our cars built to become a classic. The gullwings only had less than 1500 ever built.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 904
Likes: 3
2001 S500 Sport "Klaus"
that artist's conception photochop is hilarious looking! the grille is awful, and the inclusion of CLS headlights is totally lame. if this is where they're going with the SL design, they oughtta skip the formalities and brand it a Chrysler already.
seriously, there's exceedingly small chance the next-gen sl is going to look anything like the one in that concept graphic. and thank heaven for that!
seriously, there's exceedingly small chance the next-gen sl is going to look anything like the one in that concept graphic. and thank heaven for that!
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 911
Likes: 1
From: Wichita
2005 SL600, 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite
I think the European pedestrian safety rules are driving the changes to the front ends of these vehicles.
If what Autocar wrote in a recent issue was true (that the R230 will be around until 2014), MB may have seen fit to, or may have been obliged to change the design of the front end to be in compliance with the law.
I would hope that the designers could come up with something better than this, though.
But given some of the recent efforts (R, C and CL), I suspect they find it challenging.
If what Autocar wrote in a recent issue was true (that the R230 will be around until 2014), MB may have seen fit to, or may have been obliged to change the design of the front end to be in compliance with the law.
I would hope that the designers could come up with something better than this, though.
But given some of the recent efforts (R, C and CL), I suspect they find it challenging.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 125
2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
It really doesn't matter what it looks like. The greater the difference is compared to the existing look the greater the sales will be when it comes out.
The desire to have something new and different looking always wins out statically in the consumers mind.
Everyone wants to have the new and different looking car on the block.
Now of course, there is some point where it is so ugly this isn't true but I suspect Mercedes won't go there and the existing guess for the new SL surely doesn't as well.
The desire to have something new and different looking always wins out statically in the consumers mind.
Everyone wants to have the new and different looking car on the block.
Now of course, there is some point where it is so ugly this isn't true but I suspect Mercedes won't go there and the existing guess for the new SL surely doesn't as well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 14
From: UK
SL55 AMG
I think the European pedestrian safety rules are driving the changes to the front ends of these vehicles.
If what Autocar wrote in a recent issue was true (that the R230 will be around until 2014), MB may have seen fit to, or may have been obliged to change the design of the front end to be in compliance with the law.
I would hope that the designers could come up with something better than this, though.
But given some of the recent efforts (R, C and CL), I suspect they find it challenging.
If what Autocar wrote in a recent issue was true (that the R230 will be around until 2014), MB may have seen fit to, or may have been obliged to change the design of the front end to be in compliance with the law.
I would hope that the designers could come up with something better than this, though.
But given some of the recent efforts (R, C and CL), I suspect they find it challenging.
I was interested to see the Autocar date of 2014 as well which suggests at least one more mid-life makeover between now and then.
Going to be a challenge for front engined GTs, though not bad for cars like the Aston Martin V8 Vantage or the Ferrari F599 Fiorano which have the engine set well back; if packaging efficiency is important, the new C Class points the way...
