Spied: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL

Our Teamspeed Spies bring us today the latest spy-photos of the upcoming 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL model. This prototype was spotted on a test outing this morning without the heavy plastic disguise it was wearing the last time out. With some of the camouflage dropping away, we get a better look at the next SL's overall shape.

Our Teamspeed spy photographers also report that the SL was in a group of vehicles which included an Aston Martin Vantage Roadster and a Jaguar XK, likely for benchmarking purposes. The next-generation Mercedes-Benz SL is due sometime this year. It will feature an array of Benz power plants including a new 3.5-litre V6 and a 4.6-litre twin-turbo V8. It will also likely be lighter than its predecessor, with extensive use of carbon-fibre components and reinforced plastics.

 

Those wheels are terrible! I'm curious to see how similar this will look to the SLS with all the camo off.

 

The R230 remains the best looking SL ever build.

 

Gawd that's a big barf-mobile! lol

 

R230 2006 SL65, best design pre-facelift.

 

for a second there thought was a SLS...wow...lol

 

Just a lot of cladding to throw us off. I'm sure the production version will be stunning. Been waiting to see this replacement for what seems like 10 years!