Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL 500
Overview
Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Production	1954–present
Assembly	Bremen, Germany
Body and chassis
Class	Luxury Grand Tourer
Body style	2-door roadster
Layout	FR layout

The Mercedes-Benz SL is a roadster manufactured by Mercedes since 1954. The designation SL derives from the German Sport Leicht, or Sport Light — 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.

1954 to 1963

Main articles: Mercedes-Benz 300SL and Mercedes-Benz 190SL

First generation
Overview
Production	1954–1963
Powertrain
Engine	1.9L I4 3.0L I6
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2400 mm (94.5 in)
Length	4520 mm (178 in)
Width	1790 mm (70.5 in)
Height	1300 mm (51.1 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.

1963 to 1971

Main article: Mercedes-Benz W113

Second generation
Overview
Production	1963–1971
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W113
Powertrain
Engine	2.3L I6 2.5L I6 2.8L I6
Transmission	4-speed automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual

Next came the SL-Class 230SL, a new design with a 2.3 six cylinder engine, low waistline and big curved greenhouse windows, and a Coupe Roadster whose distinctive roofline earned the nickname "pagoda top." The design was by Paul Bracq. Around 1968 the engine received a displacement increase and the model became known as the 250SL. The last two years of production as the 280SL saw minor changes to switch knobs, and wheel trim rings became full hubcaps.

1972 to 1989

Main article: Mercedes-Benz R107

Third generation
Overview
Production	1972–1989
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R107
Powertrain
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
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Template:Auto in
Length	Template:Auto in
Width	Template:Auto in
Height	Template:Auto in

• 350SL - 1971–1980
• 450SL - 1973–1980
• 280SL - 1974–1985
• 380SL - 1980–1986
• 500SL - 1980–1986

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.

• 300SL - 1986–1989 Base model was available as standard in a 5-speed manual although very few were sold. The SOHC 6 cylinder M103 considered by many to have handling advantages with its lighter engine.

• 420SL - 1986–1989
• 500SL - 1986–1989
• 560SL - 1986–1989 From 86 onwards, only the USA, Japan, and Australia received this model.

1989 to 2002

Fourth generation
Overview
Production	1989–2002
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R129
Powertrain
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) V8 6.0L 381 hp (284 kW) V8 6.0L 394 hp (294 kW) V12 7.0L 496 hp (370 kW) V12 7.3L 525 hp (391 kW) V12
Transmission	5-speed automatic 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Template:Auto in
Length	1997–2001: Template:Auto in 1989–1996: Template:Auto in 1992-96 V12: Template:Auto in
Width	Template:Auto in
Height	1992–2001: Template:Auto in 1989–1991: Template:Auto in

Main article: Mercedes-Benz R129

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.

AMG

1999 Mercedes-Benz SL73 AMG

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 (below 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.

2003 to 2008

Main article: Mercedes-Benz R230

Fifth generation
Overview
Production	2003–2008
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R230
Powertrain
Engine	5.0L 308 hp (230 kW) V8 5.4L 476 hp (355 kW) V8 5.5L 493 hp (368 kW) V12 6.0L 604 hp (450 kW) V12
Transmission	5-speed automatic 7-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Template:Auto in
Length	Template:Auto in
Width	2005–08: Template:Auto in 2001-04: Template:Auto in
Height	Template:Auto in

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.

2005

2007–2008 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 (US)

The following Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Roadsters are offered Worldwide for the year 2005. Prices are listed in US, 2005 dollars.

• 2005 SL350 (Europe only)
  • 3.7 L (3724 cc) 18-valve V6 245 hp (182 kW) at 5,000 rpm 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) 7.2 s

• 2005 SL500 Roadster
  • Driver-adaptive 7-speed automatic transmission with TouchShift control
  • Aluminum hardtop (automatic retraction: 16 seconds)
  • US$92,620
  • 5.0 L 24-valve V8 engine 306 hp (228 kW) at 5,600 rpm, 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) 6.1 s

• 2005 SL55 AMG
  • Manual shift buttons
  • Sensotronic brakes with 8-piston front calipers
  • AMG Active Body Control suspension.
  • US$122,220
  • AMG supercharged 5.5 L (5439 cc) 24-valve V8 engine 493 hp (367 kW) at 6,100 rpm, 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) 4.7 s

• 2005 SL600 Roadster
  • Active Body Control suspension
  • Sensotronic Brake Control with enlarged front and rear disks
  • Heated and ventilated multicontour seats
  • US$128,220
  • Twin turbocharged 5.5 L (5513 cc) 36-valve V12 engine 493 hp (367 kW) at 5,000 rpm, 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) 4.6 s

• 2005 SL65 AMG
  • Twin turbocharged 6.0 L (5980 cc) 36-valve V12 engine
  • Power : 604 bhp / 451 kW
  • Torque : 738 lb·ft / 1000 Nm
  • BHP/Liter : 102 bhp / liter
  • Top Speed : 250 km/h / 155 mph (electronically limited)
  • Top Speed : approx 338 km/h without electronic limitation
  • 0–100 km/h Acceleration : 4.2 s
  • US$190,539

2008 to present (facelift)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz R230

Fifth Generation Facelift of the toyota prius ewww....
Overview
Production	2008–present
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R230
Powertrain
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
Dimensions
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.

In popular culture

• Grace Kelly drove a silver 190SL in "High Society (1956 film)".
• In the 1970s TV series Wonder Woman, Diana Prince (Wonder Woman) drove a blue 450SL
• In the 1970s TV series The Six Million Dollar Man, Steve Austin drove a silver 500SL.
• In 1978, the long running American drama Dallas opens with one of the primary characters, Bobby Ewing, driving a red 560SL, a vehicle the character would drive until 1987.
• In the 1984 film Beverly Hills Cop, the character of the Detroit detective played by Eddie Murphy is seen driving around in a red 500SL.
• In the 1990 film The Rookie, Clint Eastwood drives a silver R129 500SL with Charlie Sheen as a passenger through the window of an exploding warehouse as their lives are saved just in the nick of time.
• In the 1991 film Death Becomes Her, Meryl Streep drove a white 500SL.
• In the 1999 film, "The Corruptor" a MY 2000 SL600 is used in the UGK music video "Take It Off" made especially for the film. UGK refers to it as "The V12 Benz parked outside" although it appears de-badged in the video.

Awards

• The 2001 Mercedes Benz SL Class won European Best Interior Design award.
• The Mercedes SL-Class won the coveted ‘Most Technologically Advanced Car of the Year’ award from AutoCar Magazine and CNBC TV.
• The Mercedes SL-Class won the equally coveted ‘Best Designed Car of the Year’ awards from AutoCar Magazine and CNBC TV.

External links

• Mercedes SL Class Overview
• Official Mercedes-Benz page UK SL-Class
• official Mercedes-AMG page
• AMG Mercedes-Benz enthusiast site
• Mercedes Benz SL Model Breakdowns