sprins

The term 'classic' (as you ought to know when trying to make jokes about it) refers to style and class, not technology, and furthermore hasn't necessarily anything to do with age (although that can help).

IMO the R230 was an instant classic the day it was introduced. The R129 wasn't (and still isn't) and the Pagode and Gullwing SLR are. You can agree or not since this is up for debate, but there is nothing laughable about labeling something modern as "classic".

Classic

Adjective

1. exemplary of a particular style
2. exhibiting timeless quality

Noun

1. A perfect and/or early example of a particular style.
2. An artistic work of lasting worth (n/a, car != art)
3. A major, long-standing sporting event (n/a)

SL2003driver

+1 and the new 2009 won't be in that class based on that frontend.

WoodHill Motors

Yeah, I don't think this new front end is classic material.

It's like the surgeon messed up on the face-lift. We've seen it plenty times.

Anyways, another pic I found.

I must admit, the front end is finally becoming somewhat appealing to me.

Germancar1

Some live shots of a non-AMG SL at Geneva:













M

RRod

It will be interesting to see how the actual retail market decides to react to the design .... that will be the real jury.

CY

Front end is sick on the AMG's.

SL2003driver

I hate to say it but it is actually starting to grow on me, will need to see it in person.

andy_meng1024

+1

NOTA4RE

That Thing Is Badass. I Love It!!!!!

WoodHill Motors

I know.

WoodHill Motors

After seeing these pics of the AMG in white. It's growing on me.

The red isn't bad either. I haven't even seen it in person yet so, I can't fully judge it.

manunitedfc

absolutely stunning in white, makes the old model look very out dated.

transferred

I like it apart from the ugly gray side bits

White always looks good in the cali sun

WoodHill Motors

After looking at these pics for some days now, I DO like this new SL.

I'm not in love but everytime I see it, I like it more.

SL2003driver

When it comes out if you ask the average person which is the new one and which is the old when parked side by side they won't know and if you ask them which one looks best they will say the old one. The new model is not a dsign improvement it is a gov't mandate. Just wondering do you think your E63 is a good looking car design?

Centurion

Forgive my ignorance, but is this the new SL or a facelift?

amg07

Facelift.

Centurion

Thank you.

Scruffyone

Botched facelift.

lontong

Sory But This Is Ugly ..............

BrabusTrojanSL

I have to say I second that, but ONLY for the AMG. The non-AMG looks real messed up. It doesn't looked like the parts fit nicely, the current non-sport packaged SLs look much nicer and sleeker than that Red non-Sport posted. But I have to say, if I end up trading my car in, I would get that identical white on red, looks GREAT! But I really love the current SLs, and I still like the front end of the current SLs more than that one. In all honesty, I think its because the head likes look kind of like the six series
Even the steering wheel is like the SIX! I much rather prefer the "older" or current steering wheel than that one. Looks FUGLY not to mention cheap. I'd swap it out ASAP if I got it.

manunitedfc

No, I think the E63 is butt ugly tbh. Hence my interest in obtaining an SL63.

//AMG55lover

Very nice pictures, I didn’t like the first pictures from the facelift, but those I like!

Lizard

Anyone else think the side vents on the non-amg look better than the ones on the amgs? I'm looking at the vents on the red and those look a bit more apart of the car then those grey things sticking on the side of the white ones.

Also, forgive my ignorance but what is the difference between a new model vs a face-lifted model?

jl88

I've noticed that the last few models (CL216 and this new facelifted R230) look a lot better in lighter colors (silver and white). They are putting in a lot of contrasting elements (rear diffuser and the front lip) which definitely stand out more juxtaposed to lighter colors.

I just wish they did more to the interior, but with all the changes under the hood and with the transmission, this car is looking to be a killer.