When Mercedes released the latest generation of the SL-Class->ke950, some people thought that the designers may have erred a little bit too much on the side of making it look like the rest of the Benz->ke187 lineup. Instead of fitting in with the legendary history of the SL nameplate, the latest version didn't seem to excite buyers in quite the same way. Buyers worried that the recently-redesigned SLK-Class->ke1683 looked a little bit too much like its bigger brother, and while the SLK certainly benefited greatly from its most recent redesign, perhaps buyers of the over-$100,000 SL weren't too excited about their car looking so much like a sub-$50,000 SLK.

Marcus Piecha was one of those people, and perceiving a reluctance to purchase the latest SL, he set about coming up with a solution. The Mercedes-Benz SL "Avalange GT-R" is exactly that, an aerodynamics and appearance package that he believes will make the Mercedes-Benz SL much more desirable.

Click past the jump to read more about the Mercedes-Benz SL "Avalange GT-R" By Piecha Design.

2014 Mercedes-Benz SL "Avalange GT-R" By Piecha Design

Specifications
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  • Model: 2014 Mercedes-Benz SL "Avalange GT-R" By Piecha Design
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Mercedes-Benz SL "Avalange GT-R" By Piecha Design in detail

The Avalange GT-R package starts with a new bumper that gives the front end a much more dynamic and aggressive look. It features redesigned air intakes on each side and a front lip spoiler painted in a variety of colors. Integrated LED daytime running lights finish out the reworked front bumper. Piecha also adjusted the location and angle of the grille to make it look flatter and broader without requiring any major work. Unlike many tuner packages, the new front end on the Piecha SL looks like it could be from the factory and is surprisingly attractive.

Side skirts are available as well and are designed to give a broader appearance to the SL. LEDs can be fitted as well, in the event that the owner wishes to illuminate the side at night. The side-fins are extended to reach back to the doors, creating a more unified look with the ones on the hood, and they are offered in black, gray, or matte finish.

Moving out back, perhaps the most prominent change is a newly designed rear diffuser. It's then paired with trapezoid-shaped quad-exhaust tips to fit with the look of the diffuser . Rear air outlets on the sides mimic the ones on the front, and a trunk-lid spoiler that's designed to increase downforce finishes out the back.

New 20-inch staggered wheels are offered, allowing the car to be lowered nearly a full inch (roughly 25 mm). Buyers can also choose from two new exhausts, with one sounding like the deep, rumbling SLS and the other is described as sounding like a "poisonous and lethally rattling racecar." To cap the Avalange GT-R package off, Piecha modified the hardtop convertible roof to open and close at speeds of up to 37 mph. The roof can also be remotely opened or closed remotely by using the key fob or the door handle.

Pricing for the Mercedes-Benz SL "Avalange GT-R" by Piecha Design starts at under €10,000 ($13,634 as of 6/25/2014) and increases depending on the wheels, tires, and paint ordered.

Mercedes SL Class

Introduced in 1954 as the Mercedes-Benz 300SL->ke1995, the SL-Class is Mercedes' grand tourer. Currently in its sixth generation, the SL was redesigned in 2012 and is now constructed almost entirely from aluminum, which allows for significant weight savings and increased rigidity. Sold in the U.S. as the SL550, it makes 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque from its 4.6-liter, twin-turbo V-8, all routed to the rear wheels through Mercedes-Benz's seven-speed automatic transmission.

AMG->ke8 got its hands on the SL as well, which resulted in two models: the SL63 AMG and the SL65 AMG. The SL63 AMG packs a 5.4-liter, twin-turbo V-8 that makes 530 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. The SL65 AMG, on the other hand, manages to stuff a 6.0-liter, twin-turbo V-12 that makes a face-melting 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. While both use seven-speed transmissions, the SL63 AMG uses Mercedes' AMG SpeedShift MCT, while the SL65 AMG uses Mercedes' AMG SpeedShift Plus to swap gears.

Pricing for the Mercedes-Benz SL550 starts at $106,700, while the SL63 AMG starts at $147,300, and the SL65 AMG starts at $214,500.