Skip advert
Advertisement

New Mercedes SL 63 AMG facelift spotted out and about

New spy shots show Mercedes' AMG-tuned SL convertible preparing for mid-life refresh ahead of a 2016 launch

This is the new Mercedes SL 63 AMG. The storming two-door is set to get a raft of mid-life changes, including new styling and an updated interior, with the possibility of a new V8 engine.

Despite the body cladding on this prototype, it's clear that the 2016 SL gets a fresh face. Thinner headlight clusters sit either side of the fresher, more upright grille and incorporate new LED daytime running lights. Larger air intakes (where the daytime running lights used to be) on the refreshed front bumper take their inspiration from the AMG GT supercar.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Although retaining the square quad-exhausts, the rear bumper has been lightly refreshed and is joined by a new set of tail lights and a smoother bootlid aiming for a sleeker, more modern design. The rest of the SL range is expected to receive similar styling tweaks.

Previous spy shots of the standard SL indicate that Mercedes is planning on featuring a larger 'floating' touchscreen and likely a redesigned steering wheel. It is thought that the touch-sensitive control pad for the infotainment system, seen across the rest of the Mercedes range, will also be fitted.

It's not clear yet whether the 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine will be present. It could receive a power upgrade from 585bhp in order to reduce its 0-62 mph sprint time from 4.2 seconds.

But Mercedes has another trick up its sleeve in the form of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 found in the C63 AMG and AMG GT. That could be shoehorned into the SL in pursuit of lower CO2 emissions and improved fuel economy, although it will need some tweaking to even match the current 63's output.

Now read our full review of the Mercedes-AMG GT supercar.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance review: plug-in GT is most powerful SL ever
Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance - front tracking

New Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance review: plug-in GT is most powerful SL ever

Mercedes has done a remarkable job of fitting its plug-in hybrid powertrain into the SL, while retaining a pretty polished drive
Road tests
19 Aug 2024
Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series brings the glamour back to iconic roadster
Mercedes-Maybach SL - front

Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series brings the glamour back to iconic roadster

The high-end Mercedes-Maybach SL is one of the most opulent – and expensive – roadsters on sale
News
17 Aug 2024
Mercedes-Maybach SL spied as grand touring convertible goes even more upmarket
Mercedes-Maybach SL - front 3/4

Mercedes-Maybach SL spied as grand touring convertible goes even more upmarket

The SL will soon get the Maybach treatment with plenty of glitz
News
30 Jul 2024
New Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance to pack 804bhp V8 plug-in powertrain
Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance - front

New Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance to pack 804bhp V8 plug-in powertrain

The new flagship SL 63 S E Performance is the most powerful Mercedes-AMG roadster yet
News
11 Dec 2023

Most Popular

Ford Capri review
Ford Capri - front

Ford Capri review

This is no sports car, nor even a retro reboot – rather a capable, refined and well-built EV that happens to sport a controversial name
In-depth reviews
29 Oct 2024
New Audi RS 3 2024 review: is there a new hyper-hatch king?
Audi RS 3 - front

New Audi RS 3 2024 review: is there a new hyper-hatch king?

The Audi RS 3 renews hostilities with the Mercedes-AMG A 45, but this time it might just have the edge
Road tests
27 Oct 2024
Hot new Abarth 600e is the performance outfit’s most powerful car ever
Abarth 600e - front

Hot new Abarth 600e is the performance outfit’s most powerful car ever

The fiery electric SUV uses Abarth’s own newly developed e-motor that produces up to 278bhp
News
28 Oct 2024