Another Benz Refit

Another Benz Refit > The SL

Looking new and doubtless improved.

Pictures of yet another Benz refit have splashed over the homepages of blogs and car sites across this great world-wide-web of ours. This time, it's the SL roadster and part of me wishes that the Tri Star just left well enough alone.

And another part of me says that those SLK-esque hood flairs are supafly.

As is the emboldened grille now with just one cross member and a more prominent Star to take center stage on the consummate boulevardier's prow.

There's a big mouthed, quad headlamped, R107 retro-chic swagger there that I really dig.

That which doesn't mix well with the new company of flutes, vents, and wider apertures are those signal indicators that are tacked on top of the headlamps.

BURSTING BUBBLES

What we're seeing friends, is the last gasp of the bubble-headlamped design theory that has at last reached the end point of its stylistic cul-de-sac. Fear not R230 lovers, the bubble headlamps will stand out as curious footnotes in Benz history. Right alongside the old W110 Fintails of the
sixties.

The 2009 SL does break molds. And those blocky headrests with built in heaters break a few style codes, too.

We should however not hesitate to see this as the most dramatic refit of a model in Mercedes-Benz history. On the merits of this remake, the current generation SL (already six years) could soldier on for another four at least.

Understanding that, there's no wonder why this Benz that's come of age has found widespread appreciation across a blogland populated chiefly by those who haven't yet.

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