Mercedes-Benz is preparing a major mid-life update for the SL roadster, shifting the iconic sports car towards traditional grand-touring luxury while creating a sharper distinction between the Mercedes-AMG GT and its open-top sibling. The 2027 facelift will introduce revised styling, improved ride comfort, new Euro 7-compliant engines and the latest MB.OS infotainment technology. Meanwhile, AMG is developing an extreme new GT Black Series with more than 720 hp and extensive motorsport-derived engineering.
The current-generation Mercedes-Benz SL has made a decisive move towards performance since the seventh generation was developed under the direction of Mercedes-AMG. However, customer feedback suggests that the transformation went a little too far in one direction. Buyers have been looking for more of the refinement, comfort and effortless long-distance cruising ability traditionally associated with the SL nameplate.
Mercedes-Benz intends to address those concerns with a comprehensive facelift scheduled for 2027. The objective is not to abandon the car’s sporting character, but to restore a more recognisable Mercedes-Benz identity and reinforce its position as a luxury grand tourer.
CEO Ola Källenius confirmed the strategic change to Autocar, describing the revised model as being “more of a Mercedes-Benz”.
A prototype of the updated 2+2 roadster was recently presented at an event in Berlin, providing an early indication of the direction Mercedes-Benz intends to take.
Mercedes-Benz SL and AMG GT to Get More Distinct Personalities
One of the most important changes will be a clearer separation between the SL roadster and the Mercedes-AMG GT coupé. Although both models share their underlying platform, drivetrains and several major components, Mercedes-Benz wants them to deliver distinctly different driving experiences.
The SL will move towards a more traditional grand-touring formula, prioritising comfort, refinement and everyday usability. The AMG GT, by contrast, will retain its more aggressive sporting character, with its fixed roof and independently developed suspension settings intended to deliver a sharper driving experience.
The distinction will also become immediately visible from the outside.
The standard SL is expected to abandon the familiar AMG Panamericana grille in favour of a more conventional Mercedes-Benz front grille. This will be accompanied by the return of the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star as the dominant badge, reinforcing the roadster’s connection with the luxury division rather than presenting it primarily as an AMG product.
AMG versions, however, will continue to provide the more performance-focused alternatives for customers seeking greater power and sharper dynamics.
Underneath the bodywork, engineers are preparing suspension revisions designed to improve ride comfort and reduce unwanted harshness. These changes should make the SL a more convincing companion for extended journeys without sacrificing the performance expected from a modern luxury roadster.
New Six-Cylinder and V8 Engines for Euro 7 Regulations
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz SL facelift will also bring substantial changes to the engine range, with revised powertrains designed to comply with the increasingly demanding Euro 7 emissions regulations.
The entry-level SL43 and AMG GT43, previously powered by Mercedes-Benz’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, have already been discontinued. Their replacement is expected to use an updated version of the manufacturer’s 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six.
The new SL500 4Matic+ is reportedly being prepared with 443 hp, offering a significant step towards the traditional six-cylinder grand-touring configuration.
Higher-performance models will continue to use AMG’s 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, although the existing M177 engine will make way for the revised M177 Evo. This updated powerplant is already used in the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the exclusive CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung.
One of the most significant technical changes involves the V8’s crankshaft configuration. The revised engine will adopt a flat-plane crankshaft instead of the conventional cross-plane arrangement used by the current unit.
This engineering change is intended to help the V8 meet stricter emissions requirements while maintaining a high level of performance. It also introduces a different engine character, with the flat-plane configuration typically allowing higher engine speeds and a distinctive exhaust note.
Both the six-cylinder and V8 engines will be paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system featuring an integrated starter-generator. Installed within the housing of the nine-speed automatic transmission, the electric unit produces an additional 23 hp and 151 lb-ft (205 Nm) of torque.
This system should provide smoother engine operation, improved responsiveness and additional efficiency during everyday driving.
Mercedes-AMG SL63 Expected to Deliver 604 HP
Although Mercedes-Benz has yet to publish official technical specifications, the revised SL63 AMG 4Matic+ is expected to develop approximately 604 hp from its updated V8 engine.
A similar power output is anticipated for the facelifted Mercedes-Maybach SL680, which will continue to occupy a more exclusive position within the range, combining V8 performance with additional luxury and bespoke detailing.
Mercedes-Benz has also reportedly considered introducing an SL580, potentially powered by a 530 hp version of the revised V8. However, the model has not yet received production approval.
One notable departure from the current line-up will be the SL63 S E Performance. Its 805 hp plug-in hybrid powertrain combines the twin-turbocharged V8 with a rear-mounted electric motor, delivering extraordinary acceleration and performance.
Despite its impressive output, the relatively rare high-performance hybrid is reportedly being discontinued as part of the revised model strategy.
The decision suggests that Mercedes-Benz is looking to simplify the range and establish a more clearly defined hierarchy between the conventional SL models and their AMG performance counterparts.
Updated Design, MB.OS and a More Traditional Interior
The exterior and interior updates will extend beyond the revised front grille.
The facelifted SL will receive new headlights incorporating daytime running lights and indicators in the shape of the brand’s three-pointed star. The latest generation of Mercedes-Benz Digital Light technology is also expected to feature, bringing improved illumination and more advanced lighting functions.
Inside, the most important technological upgrade will be the introduction of Mercedes-Benz’s MB.OS operating system.
The new software architecture is expected to bring improved connectivity, more advanced infotainment functions and updated driver-assistance systems. Mercedes-Benz is also preparing revised interior controls, including a redesigned steering wheel with a greater emphasis on physical buttons and switches.
This last change is particularly interesting given the industry’s recent shift towards increasingly touchscreen-focused interiors. Restoring more conventional physical controls could improve ergonomics and make frequently used functions easier to operate while driving.
The updated SL and AMG GT are both expected to receive these technological improvements, although their individual interior treatments will continue to reflect their different positions within the Mercedes-Benz performance portfolio.
Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series: More Than 720 HP and Extensive Motorsport Technology
While Mercedes-Benz is working to make the SL more comfortable and refined, Mercedes-AMG is preparing something considerably more extreme at the opposite end of its sports-car portfolio.
The manufacturer is developing a new GT Black Series, internally designated X192, rather than using the C192 designation associated with the regular AMG GT coupé.
That different designation is believed to reflect much more extensive engineering changes than a conventional high-performance derivative.
Reports suggest the new Black Series could receive a carbon-fibre monocoque and body structure, together with a return to a transaxle drivetrain configuration. This arrangement places the gearbox at the rear of the vehicle, helping improve weight distribution.
The concept is reminiscent of the engineering philosophy used in the original Mercedes-Benz SLS and earlier AMG GT Black Series models.
Power will reportedly come from a dry-sump version of AMG’s revised 4.0-litre flat-plane-crankshaft V8. Output is expected to exceed the 720 hp produced by its predecessor, potentially making the new model one of the most powerful road-legal AMG GT variants ever produced.
However, the engine will be only one part of the transformation.
Aerodynamics and Chassis Technology Inspired by Motorsport
The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is being developed with a clear focus on circuit performance, and its aerodynamic package is expected to be considerably more sophisticated than that of the standard GT.
One of the most noticeable changes will be the adoption of side-exit exhausts positioned ahead of the rear wheels. Moving the exhaust outlets will create additional space at the rear, allowing engineers to install a larger and more effective diffuser.
Other expected features include adjustable ride height for track use, active front wheel-arch vents and a substantial rear wing incorporating drag-reduction functionality.
These components are designed to increase aerodynamic efficiency, improve cooling and generate additional downforce at high speeds.
Importantly, Mercedes-AMG reportedly intends to ensure that the extensive aerodynamic modifications meet the relevant road-homologation requirements. This would allow the new Black Series to retain road registration despite its extremely track-focused configuration.
The car is also expected to ride on particularly aggressive Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres.
The reported dimensions are 325/35 ZR20 at the front and 355/30 ZR21 at the rear, highlighting the enormous grip requirements of a car targeting serious circuit performance.
New GT Black Series Developed Alongside AMG’s GT3 Racer
The development programme for the new GT Black Series is closely connected to Mercedes-AMG’s motorsport activities.
The road car is being engineered alongside the next-generation Mercedes-AMG GT3 racing car, with both projects previewed by the Concept AMG GT Track Sport, revealed in 2025.
This relationship is particularly significant because previous Black Series models have demonstrated how technologies developed for competition can be adapted for road-going performance cars.
The new model is expected to continue that tradition, combining extensive aerodynamic development, lightweight construction, advanced chassis engineering and a high-revving V8 engine.
If the reported specifications prove accurate, the next GT Black Series could represent a substantial step forward compared with its predecessor.
Mercedes-Benz Is Giving Its Sports Car Range a New Direction
The upcoming 2027 updates reveal an interesting change in Mercedes-Benz’s approach to its performance-car portfolio.
Rather than making the SL and AMG GT increasingly similar in their driving characteristics, the company appears determined to give each model a more clearly defined purpose.
The SL will return towards its traditional identity as a luxurious, comfortable and powerful grand-touring roadster, while the AMG GT will continue to prioritise sporting performance. At the same time, the GT Black Series will push the platform towards an altogether more extreme, motorsport-inspired direction.
It is a strategy that recognises an important distinction: not every customer looking for a powerful Mercedes-Benz sports car necessarily wants the same driving experience.
For the SL, the 2027 facelift could therefore represent more than a routine mid-life refresh. It could mark the return of the qualities that made the model one of the most recognisable grand-touring roadsters in Mercedes-Benz history.
And for AMG enthusiasts, the arrival of a new GT Black Series with a flat-plane V8, carbon-fibre construction and more than 720 hp could provide an equally compelling reason to pay attention to what comes next.
Source: Autocar