Facelift SL to carry on for five more years

The iconic Mercedes-Benz SL sports car is headed for a substantial facelift. So say the Mercedes-chasers with the itchy shutter fingers at Carparazzi.

This new car, caught in Benz's home town of Stuttgart, looks like a heavily disguised version of the current R230 model, which has been on sale in Australia since the end of 2001.

It's possibly a mule with the running gear of the 2013 replacement for the R230 model, but a mule wouldn't have the finer details -- such as tail lights -- so closely concealed.

According to the Carparazzi fellows, the vehicle in the pictures is more likely the facelifted model disguised (more here). The headlights may very likely constitute the major change to the look of the car, echoing the styling theme set by the CLS.

Most of the current drivetrain options will remain, although the SL 55 AMG is likely to cease with the pre-facelift model, replaced by the SL 63 AMG.

Keeping cars fresh and 'vital' is a particular challenge for Mercedes-Benz when it comes to the SL models.

The previous R129 generation was sold in Australia between 1990 and 2001; over ten years. With upgrades along the way, the earlier R107 model was on sale for nearly twenty years between 1971 and the introduction of the R129.

As mentioned, the current R230 model was introduced locally at the end of 2001 and will have to continue without major change to 2013. Twelve years is a long time for one model, especially with the way automotive design is progressing. That's a pretty sound excuse for a major mid-cycle facelift.

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