2017 Mercedes-Benz SL Given New Face, More Powerful V6 Engine

Mercedes-Benz has updated the SL with aesthetic tweaks and more power for the 2017 model year

Conveniently unveiled at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show in sunny California, the refreshed SL gets a new face, with an all-new bonnet, bumper and diamond radiator grille, as well as new LED headlights that are slimmer than before. At the rear, the taillights retain their shape but gain a fresh LED interior design. The 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL also introduces two new body colors (Brilliant Blue and Designo Selenite Grey Magno), as well as new 19-inch light-alloy wheels.

The cabin gains ambient lighting with three selectable colors (solar red, polar blue, polar white), a three-spoke sports steering wheel with magnesium structure and silver-colored shift paddles, nappa leather with topstitching, an optional analogue clock on the center console and more.

Mechanical upgrades include more power and torque for the base V6 engine in the SL 400 (SL 450 in the U.S.), which is now rated at 367 PS (362 hp) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque, up 35 PS and 20 Nm compared to the previous version. The SL 500 (SL 550 in the U.S.) carries over unchanged with its 455 PS (449 hp) V8 engine, while the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 and SL 65 continue to be available with a 585 PS (577 hp) 5.5-liter biturbo V8 and a 630 PS (621 hp) 6.0-liter biturbo V12, respectively.

The SL 400 and SL 500 offer a standard 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission, while AMG models come with the 7-speed AMG Speedshift MCT (SL 63) and 7-speed AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic (SL 65).

Other updates include the Sport+ plus mode of the Dynamic Select system and the Curve function of the optional Active Body Control (ABC) suspension, which is said to reduce the effects of lateral acceleration on the vehicle occupants.

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL will go on sale in Europe in April 2016 and in the U.S. in spring 2016.