by Expected Design Changes
Just a few weeks after lightly camouflaged prototypes of the updated Mercedes-Benz SL were spotted, a clearer picture of the facelifted roadster is emerging. The updates appear restrained, focusing on subtle stylistic changes rather than a complete redesign. However, the main news likely hides under the hood, as fresh reports indicate the much-criticized base four-cylinder engine is doomed for replacement.
Externally, Mercedes seems to be following a familiar script. Similar to other recent facelifts, the SL is expected to receive an updated front end with revised headlights featuring star-pattern LED graphics. Recent renderings show how this light signature might look on the updated roadster.
The Mercedes SL is getting a facelift, and the headlights are the least interesting part.
Besides the updated LED elements, the headlights themselves may adopt a smoother, more rounded shape, moving away from the sharper, triangular design of the current model. These renders also show a matte black trim connecting the headlights to the updated radiator grille, which has vertical slats within a chrome frame.
Technology and Interior Updates
Recently spotted prototypes had the same rear lights as the current model, although it’s widely believed these are temporary elements. When the car hits the market, it should feature new lights with different LED graphics, similar to other new Mercedes models, as seen with the fully updated S-Class.
If the new SL comes to market with the changes depicted in these renders, we believe buyers should react well to them. The overall proportions and silhouette of the SL are expected to remain unchanged, preserving the familiar shape of the two-door roadster.
The facelift will also mark the introduction of the new Mercedes-Benz operating system, or MB.OS, which integrates the infotainment system, driver assistance systems, and core vehicle functions into a single platform with over-the-air update capability.
Key Powertrain Changes
Key changes are also planned for the SL’s powertrains. All V8 engine variants are expected to receive the new 4.0-liter bi-turbo engine, first introduced in the S-Class, now with a flat-plane crankshaft. While such a configuration may rob the engine of some of the low-end rumble characteristic of previous Mercedes V8s with cross-plane crankshafts, the new engine helps increase power while meeting Euro 7 emission standards.
In this guise, the SL 55 AMG is expected to produce 537 hp plus an additional 23 hp from the integrated starter-generator, while the SL 63 AMG could reach 650 hp.
New Base Model
The biggest change, however, occurs at the base level, as the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder M139 engine in the SL 43 does not meet the new Euro 7 emission standards. According to a new report from the German publication Auto Motor und Sport, the four-cylinder engine producing 416 hp and 500 Nm of torque will be replaced by a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine (M256evo) with 449 hp, supported by an integrated starter-generator that adds another 23 hp.
This configuration not only improves output but also adds electrified assistance for smoother acceleration and energy recuperation. The change also leads to a switch from rear-wheel drive to all-wheel drive, and the new base model is expected to be designated SL 53 AMG 4Matic+.
We do not have confirmed timelines for the updated SL roadster, but sources suggest it may debut by the end of this year, with sales starting in 2027.
The Mercedes SL updates demonstrate the brand’s clear trend towards enhancing both sustainability and performance simultaneously. Abandoning the four-cylinder engine in favor of a hybrid six-cylinder is not just a step for regulatory compliance, but a strategic decision to increase the appeal of the base model. The switch to a flat-plane crankshaft for the V8, despite the potential change in sound, is a technological breakthrough that allows combining high power with stringent environmental requirements. These changes, along with the introduction of the new operating system, position the SL not just as a luxury roadster, but as a technologically advanced car ready for the challenges of the next decade.
