The sixth generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL has had a pretty tough launch. Its exterior design has received a good deal of criticism, mainly for not living up to its predecessors' standards. That will soon change though, as Mercedes-Benz->ke187 is currently testing the facelifted version in different places around the world.

A pre-production prototype of the facelifted SL was recently spotted exiting a Mercedes-Benz testing facility in Germany, and on this occasion spy photographers caught a glimpse of its camouflaged dashboard for the first time. A slightly larger display is expected to find its way onto the center console, while a new steering wheel similar to the one from the S-Class Coupe should replace the current one.

Set to be unveiled either at the end of 2015 or in early 2016, the refreshed SL Roadster will feature a resculpted snout, which will resurrect the classic inverted grille sported by the original 300 SL race car->ke148, and more recently by the Mercedes-AMG GT3 – and a pair of headlights inspired by the ones on the Mercedes-AMG GT. The rear end will remain largely the same, but its design should blend more nicely with the new front end, especially compared to the current model. Redesigned bumpers front and rear and new alloy wheels should complete the exterior package. There is no word on engines, but a version of the twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V-8 found in the C63 and Mercedes-AMG GT may replace the 5.5-liter from the current SL63 AMG.

Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes SL Facelift.

Why it matters

The current Mercedes-Benz SL is arguably the ugly duckling in the modern Mercedes-Benz lineup, most of its detractors criticizing that sad-looking front end. In my view, the front and rear look like they have been designed by two different people and without consulting each other, with the end result being glued together by someone with no sense of style and with no knowledge of the history of the SL. Although still heavily camouflaged, it looks like the refreshed model will finally lose that stigma, at least when it comes to exterior design. Hopefully, the mid-cycle refresh for the SLK -- when it will be renamed SLC – will bring a similar revamp, although the current SLK is far from being as criticized as the SL.

2016 Mercedes SL - spy shots