The first official photos of the new 2017 Mercedes SL facelift hit the web over the weekend, surprising us with a rather special look and nice new details. We were a bit disappointed when we first saw the preview photo Mercedes-Benz released last week, but we’re glad to report the finished product is actually a very decent effort.

The 2017 Mercedes SL facelift looks like the renderings we used to see of what with the first edition of the R231 series SL would look like before it was launched. Turns out Mercedes realized they have made a boo-boo with the design of this car and so they went back to the drawing boards and addressed the issues.

So the new SL-Class does not have gopping headlights and an ungainly grille. They are both given a makeover and now look rather slim and nice. The bumper are revised as well and have become sportier. And although changes to the headlights are minute, they too look better on teh new model.

It remains to be seen what they have done to improve and engine lineup for the 2017 Mercedes SL, but chances are it gets the existing powertrain including the V6 in the SL400, the V8 in the SL500, the more potent V8 in the SL63, and the massive V12 in the SL600 and SL65 AMG.