AshleyAlissa

Hey guys,

Here's the first shot of the SL63 and SL65 AMG's front end and both models technical details (in Europe).

http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Jan08/3..._SL_Class.html

Ppower

Like it better than the new slk front end.

Pp

spnslc

The AMG hood looks different, or is it just the angle of these photos??

sprins

It appears to have a single bulge instead of the two "power domes" on the non-AMG.

WSH

Agree...SL63 hood looks different and the AirScarf seems less prominent (?different design headrests for AMG sport seats).....

As a former owner of '07 CL550 Sport and '07 CL600, IMO an AMG 030 version can look dramatically different vs even the AMG-look plebeian versions....so many AMG 030 perf jewelry details transform the overall look...and many cars are only fully appreciated live, rather than in pics.....

Am more hopeful re: SL63 030 than was based upon the non-AMG SL pics....

spnslc

I like the AMG hood so much better! What an improvement over the standard SL. I can't wait to see more AMG photos today.

sprins

Perspective. It's the same headrest.

WSH

On further review of pics, would agree....does look same...guess I was becoming too hopeful that that silly AirScarf would go away...

spnslc

Very funny! I wish it would go away, too. I have noticed in some of the photos that when they push the airscarf (headrest) all the way down (overlapping the top of the seat), it does look a lot less prominent. So, there is some hope there.

Ted Baldwin

.......interesting how the AMG treatment transforms the not so attractive new body style to something quite appealing.

Ted

SL2003driver

Still looks like a chrysler sebring, the front throws off the balance of the car design. Guys its a gov't mandated change that Mercedes designers would never do on their own. Face it they made the car uglier not better. Now you guys are just trying to talk yourselfs into dancing with the ugly girl. Like they say they all look better around closing time

sprins

Interesting indeed. Perhaps the more agressive tupperware helps?

spnslc

I agree.

I don't like the strakes on the standard SL hood at all. The AMG hood looks like the hood of a SL and I am really pleased with this change.

spnslc

Photos of the 2009 SL63 AMG and standard 2009 SL.

WSH

Interesting how AMG is still being quiet re: SL63...

Only two pics....no pics of brakes or interior....no tech details re: steering/brakes/gearbox advances....

Styling is always contextual....over the yrs, have owned many SL55/65 (most recently '07 65) and never was a fan of the peanut headlights....not a huge fan of these L-shaped lights, but IMO an improvement, but not as dramatic as the CL63's nose....

Just like perf/safety engineering, styling is obviously a series of trade-offs....

And nearly all cars have many detractors when pics first are released (many had doubts about looks of SL55 nose upon launch as well)....most cars look much better live w/full perf jewelry and in an intimidating color scheme, esp w/a charismatic exhaust note also "announcing" the car's presence....

Only car IMO that is as fugly live as in pics is Ferrari 599, but, ignoring safety, 599 is clearly one of world's greatest perf cars today, despite its fugliness....

JackStraw

I don't remember any criticism of the nose of the original SL55.

I also disagree with your view of the 599... it is no 430, but it is a nice looking car in my opinion.

The new SL front end design is a compromise. They changed as little of the metal as they could get away with... that is why the headlights are so goofy, they had to fit into the existing front quarter-panels. They wanted to spend as little on this facelift as possible given that half of all SLs produced are sold in the US and the dollar is so weak.

spnslc

I have been keeping an eye on their web site. They haven't updated it to reflect the new model info and photos, yet. They do have a new splash screen today that shows the SL63 AMG badge . . . we should see something soon, hopefully.

AshleyAlissa

The SL63 AMG just hit the Mercedes AMG website

http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Jan08/3...G_Website.html

http://www.mercedes-amg.com/index2.html

MikeRPA

NAAAA but be honest this amg is EFFIN hot lol , i can't say it's not , can't wait to see it in person

WSH

Interesting pics and data....

My impressions: front end is better-looking than '07 SL65 (never liked the peanut lights...didn't back in '02, nor today); rear is more interesting-looking w/the diffuser; interior is not much improved, perhaps worse...

IMO, biggest ergonomic/design weaknesses of '07 SL65 interior were the plasticky leather steering wheel (esp the airbag cover needed finer-grained/better finished leather)....and really lame sport seats (far less comfortable/grippy/adjustable vs CL63 sport seats)...and the ventil/massage functions of the CL63 seats are notably superior to those of the old-tech '07 SL seats....unfortunately, the SL63 seats look like the '07 SL seats, w/addition of that absurd AirScarf....and I have concerns re: safety implications of ?hard plastic parts (and fan blades) near one's head in any violent crash situation....

Exterior of SL63 w/its Parktronic "bulletholes" unfortunately reminds one that '09 SL still has the old-tech Distronic...not the DistPlus of S/CL which is linked to BrakeAssist/BlindSpotAssist (an important active safety feature) and eliminates need for those archaic, aesthetically-displeasing Parktronic bulletholes....

And '07 SL65's fatal dynamic flaw was awful brake pedal feel (too much pedal travel before response); though brakes had superb stopping dists/fade resistance, the pedal feel was a confidence-killer...

SL63 seems promising....will be most curious re: any advances in brakes/pedal feel....and nuances of the gearbox, esp downshift blips, etc....

For me, debate is whether to accept SL63 030 that I've ordered or wait to just get a new '09 CL63 030 instead....suspect it'll be a difficult choice btwn two of the world's greatest cars...

MikeRPA

wow i can't wait to see what the BS is going to look like with that wide body

spnslc

Still think they're ugly, but their description sounds interesting. . .

-------------------------

"The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL roadster is now available with AIRSCARF, an innovative feature that canextend the open-air driving season into the cooler months. Another technological first from Mercedes, AIRSCARF is an extra heating system built into the driver and passenger seats. At the touch of a button, warm air flows from vents in the head restraints, acting as an invisible scarf around the head and neck.

Testing revealed that warming just a relatively small area around the neck dramatically improves comfort in cooler weather. The AIRSCARF neck-level heating system blows warm air from the head restraints of the driver and passenger seats, allowing occupants to cruise comfortably with the retractable hardtop open in colder weather. AIRSCARF uses a heating element made primarily of barium titanate, which heats up in a matter of seconds when an electrical current is applied.

Its electrical resistance jumps once it’s heated, reducing power use – engineers call this balance “Positive Temperature Coefficient” or PTC for short. The PTC heater is only a few inches in size, allowing it to hide inside the 2009 Mercedes SL seatback. Aluminum fins on the heater help transfer the heat to the air, and a small fan pushes the heated air through the vents in the head restraint.

Optional on the 2009 Mercedes SL550 and standard on the 2009 Mercedes SL600 and 2009 Mercedes SL65 AMG models, the AIRSCARF neck-level heating system even compensates automatically for changes in air temperature and vehicle speed. AIRSCARF comes with a three-speed switch and an electronic control module that monitors data from the speedometer as well as from inside and outside temperature sensors. AIRSCARF automatically adjusts the fan speed based on this information, and at the same time, the switch can override the automatic settings."
----------------------------

Unfortunately, if you want the P1 package (ventilated seats, trunk closer, and keyless go) with the SL63, the airscarf comes with that package and can't be removed. SL63 owners will have to live with this "innovative," albeit ugly, option in their cars. Maybe they won't be so bad IRL.

ItalianStallion

Just like on the new CL...AMG saves this car

Jakpro1

AMG I can picture the meeting after they first saw the new SL. "Okay boys, let's roll up our sleeves and put some shine on this pig"

SL2003driver

LMAO Truer words were never spoken!!!