LEAKED! The Cover Is Blown For Mercedes-Benz's All-New SL Roadster

I hate to agree with you but I think the SLS-themed grille should have been kept to the SLS and not leveraged so much with the CLS, SLK, and now, SL.

I agree the E-Coupe/Convertible is stunning but MB botched the job with that fixed rear window. Although the window wouldn't likely fit when you put the windows down fully, it really hampers the look of the car. Case in point: the E Convertible looks STUNNING...

Mazda? That's a stretch. And Mercedes isn't likely to become only a semi-luxury brand like Acura, either, as long as the S-class, CL and SLS are around. It has that ground covered with the B-class and C-class, but I don't think Mercedes is too keen to lose its prestigious image by sending all of its models downmarket.

Say what you want, MB will sell a record number of these, just not to car enthusiasts, but honestly, would a modern car enthusiast by a SL or 911 or M6? So MB was not targeting the sports car enthusiast in the first place - your displeasure is not a surprise. Remember the Lexus SC convertible? Total chick car right? Still sold well.

In the old days, tough guy actors would be seen driving the SL, from Sinatra to Yul Brynner, but no more and no problem - MB has redefined its image to appeal to the "Real Housewives" crowd. If this sells them more cars, then it's the right move. Just like it was the right move for Porsche to produce the Cayenne, Boxster and Panamera.

For those being overly critical, MB plainly could care less what most of you may think about the design, because many of you are not the targeted consumer for the SL. The new generation SL roadster is geared towards a specific customer segment such as: wealthy women, lesbians, homo & effeminate men(sissies).

@Monopoly

Chill out with the negativity, that's not needed here.

@Agent00R

Hmm...? Seems as if I've possibly struck a chord. It's quite hypocritical that you would attempt to admonish me, when you haven't intervened on any other controversial threads or topics based on many unsavory stereotypes or intolerant rants mentioned here regularly at Autospies.

If you have a problem with my statement, then so be it, as it reflects the truth based on the subject matter being discussed, regardless of your dislike or personal thoughts of the sentiment expressed.

I honestly don't see how any current Mercedes looks like any current Toyota. Also, Mercedes' smallest, cheapest car, the A-class, is like the Audi A1 in that they're both smaller than most cars but cost the same as larger, non-luxury cars because smaller is cheaper, offsetting the extra dough put into the interior. A non-luxury car of similar size would be cheaper. An Aston Martin Cygnet, however cringe-worthy it may be, takes this principle to the extreme.

Also, I would drive neither this nor a 6-series. They're too heavy, to put it simply. Not involving enough.

Looks pretty sweet to me! Classy and aristocratic, just like an SL should be.

I'd take a GT-R.

Well, at least we know someone likes it!

Totally expected design. It is a jumbo SLK or SLK minus K(compact). Would have liked more individual design but still looks good and a flowing design.

BMW similarly has forced a singular look on all its models from the 3 to 5 to 7. Now only the Z and X looks different.

I know what I do not like: Headlights, too vertical and too big, thanks to the new Euro laws.

I love the current generation SL. I think it's sleek and beautiful, it's the kind of car you aspire to own. And this one completely screws it up. I don't like the rounded off bathtub shape, and the headlights are ridiculous. Seriously, they take up like half the frontal area of the car. Why, Benz, why???

I'm sure it'll be a great car, but I'm not exactly in love with that snub nose look.

JapanE you seriously don't think the new 6er convertible (only- coupe is fine) looks a little bit like a chick car? Get real.

This new SL is no game changer for sure, but if you want agressive then get the SL 63/65. This has always been the case.

-Bond

Get Real: I do not like the front of this new SL and most likely they will see that but the Euro Specs are killing the designs. The SL is the best LUXURY Roadster of all times. SL and 6 are completely apart. Current Euro cars , Most of them are ugly. The rear and Inside of this new SL and even the profile looks very nice but as in the M5 the and 5 series, the front is horrible. Sadly I think most of the new designs coming from Europe, won't be aerodynamic as in this last years. Only a few will keep the sleek front. I hate to say this: Panamera is ugly but now I like it a lot compared to the new 4 door coupes. also the almost anything is comming with a big front so if you like sleek cars with low profiles , Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Ferrari or evn some Korean cars looks better, (wow that was hard to admit), As an example the Kia Optima looks better to me than the new 3 series (and please we are not talking of quality or performance, just the appeal to the eyes). And face this, most of things that human buy will enter for the eyes so yes IF this trend of ugly cars continue, I see a rising market for the Korean and Japanese designs, and then European will have to address this normative. The Euro rules are ok to save lives but also that means higher fuel consumption.. Those lights are horrible...and is sad cause inside , rear side and profile looks excellent.

The interior is very nice, but the front is ugly!

JapanE say what you want but at the end of 2013 the SL will beat the 6 series (all variants for both margues AMG/M included but not Gran Coupe)
in sales- If you live in L.A. as I do I cannot begin to tell you how many entertainment MALE ballers drive the SL.

Man I love en MB the front of that car is the face that ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE....Here ypu can see the Official pictures:
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/12/official-photos-of-2013-mercedes-benz.html

Wow! What an ugly design. I won't even begin to consider getting another Benz for about a decade, until the current crop of cars are replaced. Who the hell and why the hell is buying their cars?

I think MB shouldn't have used the same design cues from the SLS to the lesser SL and SLK. I'm not particularly a fan of this design but it will certaily find buyers ( mostly women).I respect Mercedes-Benz, but there is only one car in the entire line-up that I feel atracted to : the C63 AMG Black Series.

I caught this link and based on the pictures shown here, I think it looks good. I think it looks more "manly" than the previous SLs. Make that "mature male that doesn't have to prove anything" type of manly, not the "38 year old new money man that wants to show what he has just learned at the free driving school when he picked up his new BMW/MB/Lexus" type of manly. Hope the link works. And yes, I like the new headlight.

http://www.motorauthority.com/pictures/1070584_2013-mercedes-benz-sl-photos-leak-2012-detroit-auto-show_gallery-1#100373349

Looks good enough, look forward to the SL65.

The entire 2013 SL brochure is available on Forbes.com

This article is all B.S. No leak, just bloat. See the whole brochure at Forbes.

Side has same strike details as obsolete Chrysler Crossover convertible.

First Chrylser copies MB and now Mercedes is copying Chrysler. Not a good sign.

Side has same strike details as obsolete Chrysler Crossfire convertible.

First Chrylser copies MB and now Mercedes is copying Chrysler. Not a good sign.