| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|
| Production | 1954–present |
| Assembly | Bremen, Germany Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico |
| Class | Luxury grand tourer |
| Body style | 2-door grand tourer |
| Layout | FR layout |
The Mercedes-Benz SL is a grand tourer manufactured by Mercedes since 1954. The designation SL derives from the German Sport Leicht, or Sport Lightweight — and was first applied to the 300SL 'Gullwing' named also after its gullwing or upward-opening doors.
The term SL-Class refers to the marketing variations of the vehicle, including the numerous engine configurations spanning five design generations.
Contents |
| Production | 1954–1963 |
|---|---|
| Platform | Mercedes-Benz W121 BII (190SL) Mercedes-Benz W198 (300SL) |
| Engine | 1.9L M121 I4 3.0L M198 I6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in) |
| Length | 4,520 mm (178.0 in) |
| Width | 1,790 mm (70.5 in) |
| Height | 1,300 mm (51.2 in) |
The 300SL roadster succeeded the Gullwing in 1957. The 4-cylinder 190SL was more widely produced with 25,881 units, starting in 1955. Cars of the open SL-Class were available as a coupe with a removable hardtop or as a roadster with convertible soft top or with both tops. Production for the 190SL and 300SL ended in 1963.
| Production | 1963–1971 |
|---|---|
| Platform | Mercedes-Benz W113 |
| Engine | 2.3L M127.II I6 2.5L M129.II I6 2.8L M130 I6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual |
| Length | 4,285 mm (168.7 in) |
| Width | 1,760 mm (69.3 in) |
| Height | 1,305 mm (51.4 in) |
Next came the SL-Class 230SL, a new design with a 2.3L mechanically fuel injected six cylinder engine. It featured a low waistline and big curved greenhouse windows, and a Coupe Roadster with detachable hardtop, whose distinctive roofline earned the nickname "pagoda top." The design was by Paul Bracq. Around 1967, the engine received a displacement increase and the model became known as the 250SL. Within a year the engine displacement was increased for the final time and the model designation became 280SL. Beginning with later versions of the 250SL changes were made to dashboard padding, switches and knobs, door pockets (U.S. models only) and steering wheel. In addition, the on the 280SL formerly separate center hub caps and wheel trim rings became full wheelcovers.
| Production | 1972–1989 |
|---|---|
| Platform | Mercedes-Benz R107 |
| Engine | 2.8L I6 3.0L I6 3.5L V8 3.8L V8 4.2L V8 4.5L V8 5.0L V8 5.6L V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 96.7 in (2,456 mm) |
| Length | 180.3 in (4,580 mm) |
| Width | 70.5 in (1,791 mm) |
| Height | 51.1 in (1,298 mm) |
All updated 86-89 models have the advantages of the more modern 4 pot brakes, larger discs, and suspension derived from the W124 sedan. The body itself is built with a modern paint system designed to improve protection from rust. This however failed miserably as many of the models still rusted, mainly the front two wings.
The 300SL base model was available as standard in a 5-speed manual although very few were sold. The SOHC 6 cylinder M103 is typically considered to have handling advantages with its lighter weight engine.
The 560SL was only sold in the USA, Canada, Japan, and Australia to compensate the reduced output of the 5.0L due to the stricter emission laws in these markets.
| Production | 1989–2002 |
|---|---|
| Platform | Mercedes-Benz R129 |
| Engine | 2.8L 193 hp (144 kW) I6 2.8L 204 hp (152 kW) V6 3.0L 190 hp (142 kW) I6 3.0L 231 hp (172 kW) I6 3.2L 231 hp (172 kW) I6 3.2L 224 hp (167 kW) V6 5.0L 326 hp (243 kW) V8 5.0L 306 hp (228 kW) V8 5.5L 354 hp (264 kW) AMG V8 6.0L 381 hp (284 kW) AMG V8 6.0L 394 hp (294 kW) V12 7.0L 496 hp (370 kW) AMG V12 7.3L 525 hp (391 kW) AMG V12 |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 99.0 in (2,515 mm) |
| Length | 1997–2001: 177.1 in (4,498 mm) 1989–1996: 176.0 in (4,470 mm) 1992-96 V12: 178.0 in (4,521 mm) |
| Width | 71.3 in (1,811 mm) |
| Height | 1992–2001: 51.3 in (1,303 mm) 1989–1991: 50.7 in (1,288 mm) |
The 1989 Mercedes SL base model was the 228 hp (170 kW) 3.0 L inline 6 300SL version in the US. In Europe the base model was the 190 hp (140 kW) 3.0 L inline 6 300SL with 12 valves, and the 228 hp (170 kW) 3.0 L inline 6 with 24 valves is known as the 300SL 24 . But it was the 322 hp (240 kW) 500SL (with a 5.0 L V8 engine) which made the most headlines. The specification was high, with electric windows, mirrors, seats and roof.
1994 saw a huge facelift for the SL, and the 300SL was replaced in Europe by the SL280 and SL320 (with 2.8 L and 3.2 L I6 engines). The SL500 continued with the same powerful engine. A 389 hp (290 kW) 6.0 L V12 SL600 topped the range. Introduced in 1993 as the 600SL, it was re-badged the SL600 in 1994.
The SL320 replaced the 300SL in the United States in 1995, but the SL280 was not offered. The 6-cylinder SLs were dropped from the US lineup in 1998, leaving just the V8 and V12. The SL500 got a new 302 hp (225 kW) 5.0 L V8 for 1999.
The extremely rare SL73 AMG was sold through AMG in 1995, and at 525 bhp (391 kW) it offered the most powerful V12 engine ever put into an SL up to that time. After a brief gap, the SL73 was offered again from 1998 to 2001, although the engine was slightly updated to be more reliable. The same 7.3L V12 was later used by Pagani in the Zonda. A total of 85 SL73 AMG roadsters were built. The SL73 was briefly reintroduced in September 1999 following the SL's end-of-life facelift and a limited number were produced up until December 2001. The facelifted SL73 is the car that appears in the picture (left).
Even more rare is the SL70 AMG which was powered by a 7.0 L V12 engine.
The SL60 AMG was also extremely rare. Sold through MB from 1996 to 1998, it used a 6.0 litre V8 engine producing between 381 bhp (284 kW) and 384 bhp (286 kW). AMG claimed a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) speed of 5.8 seconds. Its top speed was limited to 155 mph (249 km/h), but with the limiter removed, it was capable of approximately 185 mph (298 km/h). AMG later unofficially admitted that 0-60 mph was closer to 5.0 seconds and the engine produced between 405-410 bhp.
The SL55 AMG was sold through AMG in the R129 bodystyle from 1998 to 2001 in limited quantity. It was the predecessor of the production R230 SL55 AMG sold from 2002 to 2008.
Only about 300 cars in the SL-class were customized by AMG prior to 2002.
| Production | 2003–2008 |
|---|---|
| Platform | Mercedes-Benz R230 |
| Engine | 5.0L 308 hp (230 kW) V8 5.4L 382 hp (285 kW) V8 5.5L 493 hp (368 kW) V12 6.0L 604 hp (450 kW) V12 |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic 7-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 100.8 in (2,560 mm) |
| Length | 178.5 in (4,534 mm) |
| Width | 2005–08: 71.5 in (1,816 mm) 2001-04: 72.0 in (1,829 mm) |
| Height | 51.0 in (1,295 mm) |
In 2003, an all-new SL (initially just a 5.0 L SL500 version) featured a retractable hardtop (marketed as the Vario Roof) available on the SLK since 1997. This featured a 5.0 L 302 hp (225 kW) V8, with a 5.4 L AMG Supercharged V8 appearing in 2002's SL55 AMG. V12 engines are available in the SL600 and the limited-production SL65 AMG.
The following Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Roadsters are offered Worldwide for the year 2005. Prices are listed in US, 2005 dollars.
| Production | 2008–present |
|---|---|
| Platform | Mercedes-Benz R230 |
| Engine | 3.5L 231 hp (172 kW) V6 3.5L 315 hp (235 kW) V6 5.5L 382 hp (285 kW) V8 5.5L 510 hp (380 kW) V12 6.0L 612 hp (456 kW) V12 6.2L 525 hp (391 kW) V8 6.0L 670 hp (500 kW) V12 |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic 7-speed automatic 7-speed semi-automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2,560 mm (100.8 in) |
| Length | 4,562 mm (179.6 in) |
| Width | 7.5 mm (0.3 in): 1,820 mm (71.7 in) |
| Height | 1,317 mm (51.9 in) |
The SL received a face lift in 2008 featuring a new front end that evokes the classic 300SL with a large grille featuring a prominent 3-pointed star and twin "power domes" on the hood, the car also features new headlights with an optional "Intelligent Light System" and a new speed sensitive steering system.
SL 63 AMG replaced SL 55 AMG.
| Production | 2011– |
|---|---|
| Platform | Mercedes-Benz R231 |
| Engine | V8 4.6L 429 hp (320 kW) |
In December of 2011 Mercedes-Benz unveiled the all new SL-Class. This is the first all aluminum Mercedes-Benz vehicle. The initial release is expected to include the downsized, twin-turbo charged, 4.6L V8 power-plant which produces 435 PS (320 kW; 429 bhp) and 700 N·m (516 lb·ft) of torque.
| Calendar year | US sales |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 4,217[2] |
| 2002 | 13,717 |
| 2003 | 13,318[3] |
| 2004 | 12,885 |
| 2005 | 10,080[4] |
| 2006 | 8,462 |
| 2007 | 6,126[5] |
| 2008 | 5,464 |
| 2009 | 4,025[6] |
| 2010 | 2,385 |