Spyshots: 2012 Mercedes SL

Judging by the amount of plastic camouflage on the test vehicle, we can suppose the new SL will have many highly-sculpted shapes. The upcoming SL will have a new upright front grille which will allow it to abide by the new EU pedestrian protection rules, while offering the car an SLS-like look.

The German coupe-cabrio’s headlights will also show a different shape, stretching less far than those of the current generation of the car.

The next SL will share much more with the SLS AMG than just the front fascia design, as the vehicle is expected to use a modified version of the aluminum space frame found on the supercar. This will allow the SL to actually be “Sport-Light” as its name promises and to offer a high level of rigidity.

The engine range of the next generation SL will include updated V6 and V8 powerplants, with AMG V8 version ditching the naturally aspirated 6.2 liter unit for the new forced induction 5.5 liter engine, a move that will allow the supercar to make a few steps down the eco road.

The vehicle’s production process will also suffer changes, as it will migrate from the Bremen factory to the Stuttgart plant, allowing Mercedes to save jobs endangered by the company’s plans to move C-Klasse’s production to the US.