23 Votes

Boost it!

What the front end should have been...

dbs600old submitted on 1/31/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 4:33:10 PM

26 user comments | Category: Spy Shots | Source: www.autospies.com

While MB's new headlamp design is not all that photogenic, it certianly look good in person, think: CLS.

However, from what I've seen so far, the SL facelift looks pretty good. It gives the car a more aggresive character: similar to the transition from the last to current gen CL. Although, I wish they would have done something more like the picture attached (no photoshop expert here, so someone please take on the honor of doing a propper rendering - thanks!). This I feel makes the car look even more mean, more German in its lines (think: current day Audi), and less SLK/childish. To top it off - no doubt, at an additional retooling expense (rear quarter panels, trunk lid, etc... redesign) - MB should have sharpened the lines of the tail lamps to match. Overall, it would have made for a nice blend between the last gen SL, current gen SL, and current CL. Also, as for the new CLC: IMHO, not bad at all. Only problem is that the rear lights are way too tall. If they would have been 2/3'rds the height, it would have been perfect.

What the front end should have been...

About the Author

dbs600old

— dbs600old (View Profile)


User Comments

lexusis350

It's okay. It's not great. It's definitely better than the last model, but it could be better.

— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/31/2008 5:29:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Homer008

No, its not okay..would you rather have the face of this thing on your car? Heck no.

— Homer008 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/31/2008 10:51:45 PM | | Votes: 1   

GTR35

Hell no, it looks like a Mustang's nose.

— GTR35 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/1/2008 2:00:21 PM | | Votes: 1   

Monk

these photoshopped headlights are too boring - just straight lines. Headlights of the actual car are a bit weird, but at least they had some style.
Style doesn't mean beauty

— Monk (View Profile)

Posted on 1/31/2008 5:40:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

golfer38

I think the photoshop looks better, although the actual new lights are better then the outgoing.

— golfer38 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/31/2008 6:04:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Kemic

Did you do this in MS Paint? And it doesn't work; the headlights look dwarfed by the grille.

— Kemic (View Profile)

Posted on 1/31/2008 6:04:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

EL34

I don't like it :-(

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/31/2008 6:08:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Rupert

I like it - a bit like the CL.
Could be a bit bigger though.
My biggest gripe is with the rear of the car - doesn't match the front.

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 1/31/2008 6:52:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Threepoint1415926

That's exactly what I think. The classic and curvaceous lines of the old car still remain and then the awkward lines that make up the new front look like they were just smashed in for updating. I say if it aint broke...

— Threepoint1415926 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/31/2008 7:29:21 PM | | Votes: 2   

Larry

I don't like this it too conservative, mercedes got it right

— Larry (View Profile)

Posted on 1/31/2008 9:03:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Talli

wow, the above comment, just wow. like merc cant make a mistake?

— Talli (View Profile)

Posted on 1/31/2008 10:09:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

nathan_putland

They should have simply pulled across the lights & grill from the CL.

— nathan_putland (View Profile)

Posted on 1/31/2008 10:34:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

TauronB2G

Not bad the grill is the real problem though. The lights are okay but the one bar groll throws me off.
T

— TauronB2G (View Profile)

Posted on 1/31/2008 11:01:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

LexusKindaGuy12

those are bmw 3 series headlghts...lol

and yes, its the grill and not the lights that makes the car ugly

— LexusKindaGuy12 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/1/2008 12:17:26 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

dbs600old

Thank you for the comments. Yes, I used MS Paint. A quick job – to get the idea out.

As said, I do not mind the new design. I know that it will work in person to the same extent the CLS lamps do. However, there is something a little less refined about the new SL ones as there is a definite squared off / straight lined portion (lower part) that meets a completely rounded / bowed portion (upper part that was chopped), making for a less fluidic / natural look. To me, it looks as if the actual photos of the facelift appear to be, themselves, a Photoshop rendering.

In all, I am one for innovation. Yes, this is on the conservative end, but playing it conservative doesn’t necessarily mean that there is no style, or that there is no innovation: take a look at the Audi S5 headlamps, absolutely stunning (great in pics, the most amazing thing ever in person). Also, I do not believe that a squared off headlamp design makes for something more conservative than the current SL front end – just different. All the current SL has is a pretty face, this - or - the actual facelift has some attitude. In my opinion, the squared off headlamps design make the car look more German (a la Audi A8, and more Brunno Sacco like), and gives it a wider stance.

From what I’ve seen the trend is smaller lamps with oversized grills. It’s a very modern look. The possibility of such, I feel, is in part due to lighting technology by means of Xenon and LEDs that can emit greater intensity via smaller units. Cars exemplifying this trend include the Ferrari 612, Rolls-Royce Phantom, BMW Mille Miglia Concept, and others. While I concede that the lamps are very conservative, I do not believe they look any more boring than that of the actual photos. What’s boring about them is not the squared off housing, but the fact that MB did not effect use of sort of stunning LED design.

— dbs600old (View Profile)

Posted on 2/1/2008 2:36:27 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

dbs600old

I wonder how much money making this conversion in real life would be!? Hmm... Also, after all of the speculation, strange that MB didnt offer up the SLR front end!? Guess the SLK is where that nose design will end...

— dbs600old (View Profile)

Posted on 2/1/2008 2:47:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

JUGNU

I always knew once Mercedes will move from twin oval lights they'll have problems.
(Twin Oval lights on Mercedes cars: C Class, CL, SL, CLK, E,...etc nearly all their cars have/has twin oval lights)

I mean this shows that MB designs are not that strong say BMW or Lexus. Once they moved from one theme/language they are facing problems (C Class's headlights, SL headlights, GLK headlights, even S Class headlights are too common...Accord, Camry, Civic, Lancer...etc had those)

I am very dissapointed MB couldn't hide there weakness for long. My advice back to drawing board and stcik with old, safe theme.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 2/1/2008 8:26:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

JUGNU

nearly all their cars have/had twin oval lights. Even SLR got twin oval headlights.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 2/1/2008 8:28:22 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

jahrha

the 4 round lights were the trademark for the benz! they should have given those an update instead of going back to the old square looking headlamps from the mb's of the 90's.

— jahrha (View Profile)

Posted on 2/1/2008 11:24:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

SHOWTIME

exactly what i was gonna say...they should've stuck with the 4 round lights...makes it look so much sportier that way.

— SHOWTIME (View Profile)

Posted on 2/1/2008 12:24:38 PM | | Votes: 3   

dbs600old

good point. and, if i recall correctly, the 89 - 02 r129 never received such an extensive facelift. all they did for that model during is 13 year run is switch up the door panel insides, the seats, the lower exterior panels, and the front and rear lights (but not to the extent of changing their shape - as they have done here). overall, its become more and more difficut to immediately recognize any given mercedes model as a mercedes - each model has too different of a look.

— dbs600old (View Profile)

Posted on 2/1/2008 12:42:43 PM | | Votes: 2   

Rupert

On the old SL, all they did was literally a facelift in 1996 - new colours, slightly different lights and grill, new interior door panels, new seats, new gearbox and a light interior refresh, then in 2001 they changed the dials a bit and made the steering wheel different.
Why can't they just do that now?! Ok, make the SL edgier - more traangular lights in the rear or a bigger star emblem, and a light interior re-do...but this mish mash doesn't work!

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 2/1/2008 7:07:42 PM | | Votes: 1   

jt716

I am just wondering what is happening with Mercedes. I loved how they were just classic and luxurious, but now it just seems that they are trying too hard to be like BMW. The C is very controversial, the S they got right, the CL was okay, and they just screwed up here. We have to wait for the E and see how it looks. The GLK is one of the most awkward looking vehicles by the way. I just miss the classic Benz look. This new grill from the CLS isnt doing much. Deboost me all you want, but its my opinion.

— jt716 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/1/2008 9:05:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

rnsaza

"What the front end should have been..." agreed

— rnsaza (View Profile)

Posted on 2/11/2008 1:03:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

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