The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a car that has only gotten heavier and less interesting as time has gone by. This is partly due to the fact that the current model's design has been around since 2015, and it's this lack of interest in revitalizing the car that had many speculating as to whether it would be killed off completely. These theories have been around for a couple of years already, but then we got confirmation that it would be overhauled. This was followed up by spy shots that confirmed a sleeker look and confirmation that the AMG department would be handling its development. Now thanks to Nikita Chuiko, one of the best rendering artists in the business, we have a good idea of what it will look like.

The renders here preview the AMG model and as usual, Chuiko has used existing spy shots for reference and applied the brand's current design language to these. If his renders here are as accurate as they normally are, we can expect slim headlights on either end of the signature Panamericana grille. Much like the recently revealed new S-Class, we can expect retractable door handles for clean lines on the profile while the usual fender vents will flow into the shoulder. A massaged hood and an upturned trunk profile will make the SL more sporty than ever while maintaining the flavor of the original SL of the 50s and 60s.

At the rear, the taillights are expected to be sharp and slim while vents on the rear bumper combined with the typical quad-exit exhaust arrangement. As the spy shots have already confirmed, the roadster will feature a folding soft-top rather than a heavy and cumbersome folding metal roof. This should help keep weight down although some may view this a security risk. Nevertheless, there's on thing for certain: the new SL will be the prettiest it's been in decades. Hopefully we'll see the true finished product before the year is out, but with plenty of eagle-eyed photographers about, we may even have a leak before then.