Two weeks ago, our spies caught the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL undergoing some hot-weather testing. And now they've gotten braver, luckier, and sidled alongside the new SL convertible to get clear shots of the new interior.
There are some Mercedes standards present, the right side of the radio is a telephone-style number pad (which works for tuning the radio, as well), the COMAND dial is centrally located and the dual-zone HVAC is controlled via redesigned knobs.
New features are the metallic buttons under the radio control and vent registers that do away with the Venetian-blind style of air management. The steering wheel also has been redesigned with a square, instead of round, button arrangement.
More photos after the jump.
And here's a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG for comparison.
roadburner says:
11:47 AM, 07/29/10
Separated at birth?
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1965-1966-ford-mustang-16.jpg
omgitsviddy says:
05:49 PM, 07/29/10
keyless go not standard? come on mercedes.... looks good otherwise.
bimmerjay says:
07:22 PM, 07/29/10
"keyless go not standard? come on mercedes...."
That's a pre-production development vehicle, it could be inactive.
bearsdkillz says:
08:25 PM, 07/29/10
Air ducts besides the Navi screen? I'm not sure I like that.
herrstreet says:
10:54 PM, 07/29/10
I preferred the older design although they have to make updates from time to time I guess.
I think the air vents look like the robot from Short Circuit.
jpeyton89 says:
04:24 AM, 07/30/10
Looks, to me, pretty similar to the interior in the SLS...which means pretty good. IMHO.
ed124c says:
09:16 AM, 07/30/10
Perhaps the German's are not aware of the old agage: "Leave well enough alone."
Those air vents are really ugly and old looking. In fact, that whole unit that surrounds the Nav looks like it could have been stuck on with Elmer's just to fool us.
coolb944 says:
09:58 AM, 07/30/10
Looks like the SLS's "airplane" inspired dash, which makes sense, as the SLS and SL are related by heritage to the same car of birth (300SL). I quite like the design. I'd reserve materials and fit judgment until you see the production car. Mercedes hasn't seemed to mess that up on the production cars lately, and finally is making interiors that warrant the price.