SL/R231: Mercedes-Benz Leaks Sneak Peek of 2017 SL-Class
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MBW Editor
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Mercedes-Benz Leaks Sneak Peek of 2017 SL-Class
The L.A. Auto Show is about to kick off, and to wet the luxury palate, Mercedes has offered a sneak peek of their 2017 SL-Class before its world release.
Read the rest on the MBWorld homepage. >>
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Not good at all. Looks like we'll have to sit this one out until the current design team can do an all new SL.
M
Last edited by Germancar1; Nov 12, 2015 at 11:13 PM.
Junior Member
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From: Belgium
SL500 R231 - S400D W222 - C63S
Mixed feelings with this facelift. I did not expect such a strong change in design with totally new bumpers (front + rear), even side sills. This looks more like a new model instead of a facelift (like eg BMW does).
My car is 4 months old and become 'old' now.
My car is 4 months old and become 'old' now.
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
This design follows (as I expected) exactly what MB did to W212 E for 2014 MY and C218 CLS for 2015 MY. While it took me a while to warm up to E facelift (maybe because I got 2014), I'm still on the fence for CLS one (keeping my pre-facelift one for now). R231's similar facelift, IMHO does not "fit" the car at all. Actually am happy they've gone that route is IMO pre-facelift one thankfully looks much sharper/muscular. While the "new" MB look fits larger cars, it does not smaller ones as well IMHO.
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
The current SL has grown on me quite a bit since we had them for the last three years and I started to really like the lines of the car. The front end was my issue and I think it has been fixed as much as a facelift can do.
Now when I look at the R230 it just looks old to me. I guess I am not nostalgic.
That said I will get this one until the AMG GTS convertible comes out
Junior Member
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From: SF Bay Area
20 SL450, 23 EQS 580, 13 Ferrari F12, 12 Cayenne S, 22 Turbo S
Looking at these pictures, I'm very disappointed. It looks like just a minor facelift. The front looks pretty good, but the back looks very similar to the present SL. Interior is also very similar. I was expecting an all new car with the updated new S class interior and dash. I'm sure this is a fine car, but to me, it looks like a facelift. And this is a disappointment. I won't be getting one.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 49
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From: Belgium
SL500 R231 - S400D W222 - C63S
Looking at these pictures, I'm very disappointed. It looks like just a minor facelift. The front looks pretty good, but the back looks very similar to the present SL. Interior is also very similar. I was expecting an all new car with the updated new S class interior and dash. I'm sure this is a fine car, but to me, it looks like a facelift. And this is a disappointment. I won't be getting one.
Clearly people have different views on it, which makes sense of course
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Looking at these pictures, I'm very disappointed. It looks like just a minor facelift. The front looks pretty good, but the back looks very similar to the present SL. Interior is also very similar. I was expecting an all new car with the updated new S class interior and dash. I'm sure this is a fine car, but to me, it looks like a facelift. And this is a disappointment. I won't be getting one.
Just look at a 2011 SL550 and compare it to your 2005. Same thing...
This facelift is not really mid-cycle either as it was pulled up in time due to the controversial front end.
The new SL will be the R232 for MY2021, so you may have to wait a bit longer
Last edited by Wolfman; Nov 14, 2015 at 10:34 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Belgium
SL500 R231 - S400D W222 - C63S
all the pics (sorry in dutch)
http://autotijd.be/archief/813/verni...oeg-op-het-net
I like the side and rear, not so much the front. SL63 has indeed more agressivve bumper in comparison with the normal SL (I do not see however an example of a car without AMG package ?)
This new blue color is however stunning !
http://autotijd.be/archief/813/verni...oeg-op-het-net
I like the side and rear, not so much the front. SL63 has indeed more agressivve bumper in comparison with the normal SL (I do not see however an example of a car without AMG package ?)
This new blue color is however stunning !
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 300
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From: GA, USA
Current: '19 E450 Cabriolet - Past: '19 C300 Coupe, '12 SLK350, '16 E350, '14 C250 (x2), '09 CLK350
I think this thing is absolutely beautiful and the best looking SL since the pre-facelift R230. White is not its strong color but that blue is stunning.
Inside a nice integrated nav screen, but not sure how I feel about the gaping jet engine sized vents surrounding it. Overall, I think a solid improvement.
Inside a nice integrated nav screen, but not sure how I feel about the gaping jet engine sized vents surrounding it. Overall, I think a solid improvement.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 381
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From: FL
Sold 06 CLS500. SL550 09. SL550 2013. Own C6 Corvette heavily customized garage queen 2005.
Not sure what you would expect from a facelift...
The current SL has grown on me quite a bit since we had them for the last three years and I started to really like the lines of the car. The front end was my issue and I think it has been fixed as much as a facelift can do.
Now when I look at the R230 it just looks old to me. I guess I am not nostalgic.
That said I will get this one until the AMG GTS convertible comes out
The current SL has grown on me quite a bit since we had them for the last three years and I started to really like the lines of the car. The front end was my issue and I think it has been fixed as much as a facelift can do.
Now when I look at the R230 it just looks old to me. I guess I am not nostalgic.
That said I will get this one until the AMG GTS convertible comes out
Hi Wolfman......Exactly my thoughts.....I thought I would miss my SL500 shape and did for a few weeks but over these last 3 years have loved the shape and style of the car and still think the lines are great. Looking at the new shape(didn't think they would change it so much) I think the front looks super aggressive, not so sure about the back as the exhausts "appear" to stick out somewhat, but have a feeling that MB are going to make many people happy until 2020 or so and I will probably be getting one......normally only have the SL's in white but this blue does look stunning(hope USA and not just Europe gets this color?) and reading some of the electrical upgrades and if I could get ABS back again, what with the Carplay, larger monitor ,etc.......quite excited as only another few months to wait and seriously thinking of ordering one now.....anyone know pricing yet?
Am I also right in seeing that they have dropped the 550.....now back to SL500?
Best. Bran.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,846
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Hi Wolfman......Exactly my thoughts.....I thought I would miss my SL500 shape and did for a few weeks but over these last 3 years have loved the shape and style of the car and still think the lines are great. Looking at the new shape(didn't think they would change it so much) I think the front looks super aggressive, not so sure about the back as the exhausts "appear" to stick out somewhat, but have a feeling that MB are going to make many people happy until 2020 or so and I will probably be getting one......normally only have the SL's in white but this blue does look stunning(hope USA and not just Europe gets this color?) and reading some of the electrical upgrades and if I could get ABS back again, what with the Carplay, larger monitor ,etc.......quite excited as only another few months to wait and seriously thinking of ordering one now.....anyone know pricing yet?
Am I also right in seeing that they have dropped the 550.....now back to SL500?
Best. Bran.
Am I also right in seeing that they have dropped the 550.....now back to SL500?
Best. Bran.
No SL500 is for Europe, SL550 is for the U.S. Same exact everything, different badge.
M
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
SL600 190SL
R230 with round headlights still the best. This design language suits the current SLK better than the SL. There is no clear masculinity to this design. I spoke to a Mercedes exec when this generation came out and he confided in me that even at Mercedes there were many people unhappy with the new SL.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
They look to have borrowed the 164 GL hood and the new E63 front bumper cover. The 231 doesn't do it for me but this does look better then the current 231. The last good looking SL is the 2009 - 2012 230 SL.
