https://www.autoevolution.com/news/2...ow-169538.html


I just saw these pics were posted in another thread but this is from another source (AutoEvolution) and here's the associated article which I included in the other thread as well

 

My comments on the other thread where this was posted apply:

"Ho Hum. Boring. This is not an "SL" IMHO. Should have stuck with the GT Roadster nomenclature."

 

Yawn.

 

Looks much better than the R231 so far. Getting Baby GT Roadster vibes mixed with W223 S-Class cues.

 

Agree. I understand the hardtop/2+2 complains but besides that it is a much better looking car than the R231 ever was.

 

That's not saying a whole lot.

 

I’m hoping it looks better in the flesh as I’d really like to see it succeed. I ordered an almost bought a GTC when they first debuted but when it arrived ( one of the first in FL) the ingress/egress proved to be an issue as the position of the seats are quite low down in the body probably to help with a lower center of gravity and I was recovering from a back injury and went with something more comfortable. I’m hoping the new sl will be a lux version of the GTC and with a monster of an engine which it should have. Just hope the 9G is AMG’s version.

 

Certainly unspectacular, I see several cars all in one. Nothing really unique. MB kills two birds assuming they not offer a GT convertible.

 

100% subjective. Face lift 231 may turn out to be the winner, IMO will age well.

 

Agree. Some consider the 231 a dinosaur, but dinosaurs lived for 160 Million years. Long live the retractible hardtop, the non-distracting dash layout and the 2-seat roadster as it was meant to be.




 

I am definitely not dissing the R231 SL's; we had a few of them for a good reason. They are fantastic convertibles. Practical with it hard top, rock solid unlike the R230 and a very enjoyable car to drive. I wrote up a comparo when we had our SL and GTC roadster side by side and in many ways the SL came out of top.
Mercedes did also do a great job updating the front end of the SL during the facelift and softening the overall design to make the car look more cohesive but a facelift is always limited.
But I wasn't sold on the cars looks even when we got our first one in 2013. That car was simply not that great looking.

 

We will have to see this one with the camo completely off to form a fair assessment.

 

I remember your write up, it was informative as always.

Agree on the front end of the pre-face lift, not the best looking.