Despite featuring an entirely new platform - that lost a drastic amount of weight thanks to the extensive use of aluminium – and an uncountable array of new technological safety and comfort features such as the Magic Vision Control windshield wiper system or the Magic Sky Control roof that becomes either dark or see-through at the push of a button, the current generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster is not exactly the most wanted SL in history.
Sure, sales of the SL Roadster (R231) aren't exactly low - mainly thanks to a new generation of buyers that get excited at the idea of a technological tour de force wrapped in a coupe/cabrio body that goes like stink, especially in AMG guise - but we feel that its fan base has somewhat decreased compared with some of its predecessors.
Not to say that it's a bad looking car, but the front end of the current generation has very few stylistic details in common with the rear end, which kind of harks back to the R230.
Well, it seems that we're not the only ones with this opinion, as it is apparently expected that the first facelift of the SL will be rather massive, with the front of the car to really get under the knife.
Still, the reasoning behind the extensive refresh is obviously not related with our opinion about its hammerhead shark-like headlights, but more with the fact that the SL has to be aligned to the new Mercedes-Benz style of design, which is called “Sensual Clarity”.
Take a look at the style of all recently-launched three-pointed star models and you will see a design pattern that mainly concerns the grille-hugging headlights and/or the side “dropping line”. The SL will have to be a part of that as well, with its facelift expected to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015. Would you a gree with a massive restyle?
Not to say that it's a bad looking car, but the front end of the current generation has very few stylistic details in common with the rear end, which kind of harks back to the R230.
Well, it seems that we're not the only ones with this opinion, as it is apparently expected that the first facelift of the SL will be rather massive, with the front of the car to really get under the knife.
Still, the reasoning behind the extensive refresh is obviously not related with our opinion about its hammerhead shark-like headlights, but more with the fact that the SL has to be aligned to the new Mercedes-Benz style of design, which is called “Sensual Clarity”.
Take a look at the style of all recently-launched three-pointed star models and you will see a design pattern that mainly concerns the grille-hugging headlights and/or the side “dropping line”. The SL will have to be a part of that as well, with its facelift expected to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015. Would you a gree with a massive restyle?