The upcoming facelift for the Mercedes-Benz SL roadster will feature minor exterior styling adjustments, including revised headlights and grille. The most significant changes are anticipated under the hood, with the entry-level model receiving a more powerful inline-six engine and V8 variants adopting a flat-plane crank engine previously seen in the S-Class. These updates aim to address criticisms and enhance the SL's performance and appeal.
The AMG SL’s facelift introduces subtle styling updates across the range. Entry-level model replaces the four-cylinder with a more capable inline-six. V8 models adopt a flat-plane crank engine first introduced in the S-Class.
Just weeks after lightly disguised prototypes of the updated Mercedes-Benz SL were spotted testing, a clearer picture of the facelifted roadster is beginning to emerge. The updates appear restrained, focusing on subtle styling changes rather than a full redesign. The bigger story, however, likely sits under the hood, with fresh reports indicating the long-criticized base four-cylinder engine is on its way out. On the outside, Mercedes appears to be following a familiar playbook. Much like its other recent facelifts, the SL is expected to adopt a redesigned fascia with reshaped headlights featuring star-pattern LED signatures. These latest renderings preview how that lighting signature could translate onto the refreshed roadster. Read: The Mercedes SL Is Getting A Facelift, And The Headlights Are The Least Interesting Part Beyond the revised LED internals, the headlights themselves could take on a smoother, more rounded form, moving away from the current model’s sharper, triangular design. These renders by Nikita Chuyko for Kolesa also show matte black trim linking the headlights to a revised front grille, which features vertical slats framed by a chrome outer edge. Recent prototypes have been seen wearing the same taillights as the current model, though these are widely believed to be temporary units. When the car does hit the market, it should do so with new lights, complete with different LED signatures similar to those of other new Mercedes models, just like the thoroughly refreshed S-Class. Also: BMW’s i3 Sedan Divided The Internet, So We Drew The i4 Coupe Instead If the new SL does hit the market with the changes depicted in these renderings, we think shoppers should respond quite well to them. The SL’s overall proportions and silhouette are expected to remain unchanged, retaining its familiar two-door roadster form. The facelift will also usher in the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System, or MB.OS, which brings infotainment, driver assistance, and core vehicle functions together under a single platform, complete with over-the-air update capability. Changes In Power, Too Key revisions are also planned for the SL’s powertrains. All V8-powered variants are expected to adopt the new 4.0-liter twin-turbo engine first introduced in the S-Class, now featuring a flat-plane crank. While this setup may eliminate some of the guttural roar of outgoing Mercedes V8’s with their cross-plane cranks, the new engine helps to boost power, all while complying with Euro 7 emissions standards. In this form, the SL 55 AMG is expected to deliver 537 hp plus an additional 23 hp from an integrated starter generator, while the SL 63 AMG could reach 650 hp. The biggest shift, however, comes at the entry level, as the SL 43's M139 2.0-liter turbocharged four doesn't meet the new Euro 7 emissions standards. According to a new report from Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, the outgoing four-pot which produces 416 hp and 369 lb-ft of peak torque, will be replaced by a 3.0-liter inline-six producing 449 hp, supported by an integrated starter generator that adds another 23 hp. This setup not only improves output but also adds electrified assistance for smoother acceleration and energy recuperation. The change also brings a switch from rear-wheel drive to all-wheel drive, with the new base model expected to be badged as the SL 53 AMG 4Matic+. We don’t have a confirmed timeline for the refreshed SL roadster, but sources suggest it could make its first appearance by the end of this year, with sales to follow in 2027. SH Proshots
Mercedes-Benz SL Facelift Inline-Six Engine Flat-Plane Crank Automotive News
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