Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Overview
Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Production	1954–present
Assembly	Bremen, Germany Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico
Body and chassis
Class	Luxury grand tourer
Body style	2-door coupe 2-door roadster
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, often referred to as the 'Gullwing' due to its gullwing or upward-opening doors.

The term SL-Class refers to the marketing variations of the vehicle, including the numerous engine configurations spanning six design generations.

W198 (1954-1963)

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

First generation
Overview
Production	1954–1963
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W121 BII (190SL) Mercedes-Benz W198 (300SL)
Powertrain
Engine	1.9L M121 I4 3.0L M198 I6
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
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 was introduced in 1954 in coupé form, featuring gullwing doors. The 300SL roadster succeeded the coupé 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.

• 300SL ("Gullwing"): 1954–1957, 3.0L I6, 215 hp (160 kW)
• 300SL (Roadster): 1957–1963 3.0L I6, 225 hp (168 kW)
• 190SL: 1955–1963, 1.9L I4, 105 hp (78 kW)

W113 (1963-1971)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz W113

Second generation
Overview
Production	1963–1971
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W113
Powertrain
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 (ZF)
Dimensions
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, on the 230SL formerly separate center hub caps and wheel trim rings became full wheelcovers.

• 230SL: 1963–1967, 2.3L I6, 150 hp (112 kW)
• 250SL: 1966–1968, 2.5L I6, 150 hp (112 kW)
• 280SL: 1967–1971, 2.8L I6, 170 hp (127 kW)

R107 (1972-1989)

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	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)

• 350SL: 1971–1980, 3.5L V8
• 450SL: 1973–1980, 4.5L V8
• 280SL: 1974–1985, 2.8L I6
• 380SL: 1980–1986, 3.8L V8
• 500SL: 1980–1986, 5.0L V8

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. However this was not effective as models still continued to rust especially around the wheel arches, sills, jacking points, floor and front wings; especially the drill holes on which the mudflaps are mounted and the sides facing the engine bay.

• 300SL: 1986–1989

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.

• 420SL: 1986–1989, 4.2L V8
• 500SL: 1986–1989, 5.0L V8
• 560SL: 1986–1989, 5.6L V8

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.

R129 (1989-2002)

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) 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
Dimensions
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)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz R129

The 1990 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.

The R129 model was the first convertible/roadster to offer the automatic rollbar deployment in event of rollover. The motorist can also manually raise and lower the rollbar should he choose to. This facilitates the clean look of R129 without compromising the occupant's safety.

1994 saw a minor facelift for the SL with changes to the taillamps and white turn signal indicators in the front, 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 (left).

Even rarer 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.

R230 (2001-2008)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz R230

Fifth generation
Overview
Production	2001–2008
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R230
Powertrain
Engine	3.7L 245 hp (183 kW) V6 5.0L 308 hp (230 kW) V8 5.4L 493 hp (368 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	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)

The fifth generation SL was in production between 2001 and 2008. The 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 and the SL350 3.7 L (3724 cc) 18-valve V6 245 hp in some markets.

Facelift (2008-2012)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz R230

Fifth Generation Facelift
Overview
Production	2008-2012
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R230
Powertrain
Engine	5.0L 308 hp (230 kW) V8 5.4L 493 hp (368 kW) V8 5.5L 382 hp (285 kW) V12 6.0L 604 hp (450 kW) V12 6.2L 518 hp (386 kW) V8
Transmission	5-speed automatic 7-speed automatic
Dimensions
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)

The R230 SL underwent a significant facelift in 2008 featuring new and revised engines and 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. The SL 63 AMG replaced the SL 55 AMG.

R231 (2012-present)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz R231

Sixth Generation
Overview
Production	2012–
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R231
Powertrain
Engine	3.5L 302 hp (225 kW) V6 4.7L 430 hp (321 kW) V8 turbocharged 5.5L 529 hp (394 kW) V8 turbocharged 6.0L 621 hp (463 kW) V12 turbocharged
Transmission	7-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,585 mm (101.8 in)
Length	4,612 mm (181.6 in)
Width	1,877 mm (73.9 in)
Height	1,315 mm (51.8 in)

In December 2011, Mercedes-Benz announced the all new SL-Class and was formally launched at the North American International Auto Show in January 2012. The new SL (R231) has been produced for the first time almost entirely from aluminium. The new aluminium bodyshell weighs around 110 kilograms less than it would using the steel technology from the predecessor. Although the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has more assistance systems on-board than its predecessor and therefore does actually sacrifice some of the weight saved through the aluminium bodyshell, the scales show some better figures: the SL 500 (1,785 kg) weighs around 125 kilograms less and the SL 350 (1,685 kg) is 140 kilograms lighter than its predecessor.

New features include the unique FrontBass system (it uses the free spaces in the aluminium structures in front of the footwell as resonance spaces for the bass loudspeakers) and adaptive windscreen wipe/wash system MAGIC VISION CONTROL, which supplies water from the wiper blade as required and depending on the direction of wipe. The R231 is also available with two different suspension systems: semi-active adjustable damping as standard. The optional active suspension system ABC (Active Body Control) is available as an alternative. Both suspension variants are combined with a new electromechanical Direct-Steer system featuring speed-sensitive power steering and a ratio that can be varied across the steering wheel angle and it also reduces the amount of steering required when parking and manoeuvring.

Contrasted with its predecessor, the new generation of the SL is longer and wider. Shoulder room is increased by 37 mm (1.5 in)) and elbow room 28 mm (1.1 in).

Engines

Petrol engines

Model	Years	Type	Power, torque@rpm
SL 350 BlueEFFICIENCY	2012–	3,498 cc (213 cu in) 24V V6 (M 276 DE 35)	306 PS (225 kW; 302 hp)@6500, 370 N⋅m (273 lb⋅ft)@3500-5250
SL 550	2012–	4,663 cc (285 cu in) 32V V8 biturbo (M 278 DE 46 AL)	435 PS (320 kW; 429 hp)@5250, 700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft)@1800-3500
SL 63 AMG	2012–	5,461 cc (333 cu in) 32V V8 biturbo (M 157 DE 55 AL)	537 PS (395 kW; 530 hp)@5500, 800 N⋅m (590 lb⋅ft)@2000-4500 Performance Package: 564 PS (415 kW; 556 hp)@5500, 900 N⋅m (664 lb⋅ft)@2250-3750
SL 65 AMG	2012–	5,980 cc (365 cu in) 36V V12 biturbo (M 279 E 60 AL)	630 PS (463 kW; 621 hp)@4800-5400, 1,000 N⋅m (738 lb⋅ft)@2300-4300

Notable drivers

• Steve Jobs, American businessman, avoided needing license plates by swapping out a silver SL55 with his leasing agency every six months, the maximum length of time California drivers can go without affixing issued number plates.
• Peter Thiel, American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and hedge-fund manager that started PayPal and invested in SpaceX. He drives a SL500, as noted in an article in The New Yorker.
• Loreen, Swedish singer who won the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.
• Alex Ovechkin, Russian Hockey Player, Washington Capitals Captain.
• Jeremy Clarkson, famous motoring journalist and Top Gear presenter, owned several different models of the SL.

Sales

Calendar year	US sales
2001	4,217
2002	13,717
2003	13,318
2004	12,885
2005	10,080
2006	8,462
2007	6,126
2008	5,464
2009	4,025
2010	1,449
2011	4,899
2011
2012
2013	7,007

References

Bibliography

General

• Barrett, Frank (1998). Illustrated Buyer's Guide Mercedes-Benz. Motorbooks International Illustrated Buyer's Guide series (2nd ed.). Osceola, WI, USA: MBI Publishing. ISBN 0-7603-0451-3.
• Bass, Chris (2007). Mercedes-Benz 'Pagoda' 230, 250 & 280 SL: W113 series Roadsters & Coupés, 1963-1971. The Essential Buyer's Guide series. Dorchester, Dorset, UK: Veloce Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84584-113-3.
• Bass, Chris (2017). Mercedes-Benz 280-560SL & SLC: W107 series Roadsters & Coupés, 1971 to 1989. The Essential Buyer's Guide series. Dorchester, Dorset, UK: Veloce Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78711-182-0.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (1987). On Mercedes 1952-1962. Road & Track Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 1-869826-40-X.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (1990). Mercedes SLs & SLCs Gold Portfolio 1971-1989. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 1-85520-010-4.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (1996). Mercedes SLs Performance Portfolio 1989-1994. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 1-85520-268-9.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (2004). Mercedes-Benz SLs & SLCs Ultimate Portfolio 1971-1989. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 1-85520-677-3.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (2004). Mercedes-Benz SL SLK CLK Portfolio 1990-2003. Road & Track Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 1-85520-653-6.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (2007). Mercedes AMG Gold Portfolio 1983-1999. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 978-1-85520-745-5.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (2007). Mercedes AMG Ultimate Portfolio 2000-2006. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 978-1-85520-748-6.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (2010). Mercedes 230SL - 250SL - 280SL Ultimate Portfolio 1963-1971. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 978-1-85520-886-5.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (2011). Mercedes-Benz 190SL 300SL 300SLR A Brooklands Portfolio. Road Test Portfolio Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 978-1-85520-932-9.
• Engelen, Günter (2002). Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen [Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars] (in German). Vol. Band 3: Seit 1986 [Volume 3: Since 1986]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613021692.
• Hofner, Heribert; Schrader, Halwart (2005). Mercedes-Benz Automobile [Mercedes-Benz Automobiles] (in German). Vol. Band 2: von 1964 bis heute [Volume 2: from 1964 to today]. Königswinter, Germany: Heel Verlag. ISBN 3898804194.
• Holmes, Mark (2007). Ultimate Convertibles: Roofless Beauty. London: Kandour. pp. 96–99. ISBN 978-1-905741-62-5.
• Rohde, Michael; Koch, Detlef (2000). Mercedes-Benz. Typenkompass series (in German). Vol. Band 1. Personenwagen 1945 - 1975 [Volume 1. Passenger Cars 1945 - 1975]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 361302019X.
• Kittler, Eberhard (2002). Mercedes-Benz. Typenkompass series (in German). Vol. Band 2. Personenwagen seit 1976 [Volume 2. Passenger Cars since 1976]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-613-02209-5.
• Koehling, Bernd S. (2013). Mercedes-Benz, The modern SL cars: From the R107 to the R231. CreateSpace. ISBN 978-1-4841-0824-6.
• Koehling, Bernd S. (2014). Mercedes-Benz, The early SL cars: From the 300SL and 190SL to the 230SL-280SL (2nd ed.). CreateSpace. ISBN 978-1-4841-8056-3.
• Larimer, Fred (2004). Mercedes-Benz Buyer's Guide: Roadsters, Coupes, and Convertibles. St. Paul, MN, USA: MBI Publishing. ISBN 0760318115.
• Long, Brian (2010). Mercedes-Benz SL & SLC 107 Series 1971 to 1989. Dorchester, Dorset, UK: Veloce Publishing. ISBN 9781845842994.
• Long, Brian (2011). Mercedes-Benz SL W113 Series 1963 to 1971. Dorchester, Dorset, UK: Veloce Publishing. ISBN 9781845843045.
• Long, Brian (2013). Mercedes-Benz SL R129 Series. Dorchester, Dorset, UK: Veloce Publishing. ISBN 9781845844486.
• Niemann, Harry (2006). Personenwagen von Mercedes-Benz: Automobillegenden und Geschichten seit 1886 [Passenger Cars from Mercedes-Benz: Automobile Legends and Stories since 1886] (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613025965.
• Noakes, Andrew (2004). Mercedes SL Series: The Complete Story. Crowood AutoClassics Series. Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press. ISBN 9781861266736.
• Oswald, Werner [in German] (2001). Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen [Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars] (in German). Vol. Band 2: 1945–1985 [Volume 2: 1945–1985]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613021684.
• Schlegelmilch, Rainer W. [in German]; Lehbrink, Hartmut; von Osterroth, Jochen (2013). Mercedes (revised ed.). Königswinter, Germany: Ullmann Publishing. ISBN 978-3-8480-0267-2.
• Taylor, James (1985). Mercedes-Benz since 1945: A Collector's Guide. Vol. 1: The 1940s and 1950s. Croydon, UK: Motor Racing Publications. pp. 8–24, 63–76, 103–136, 139–144. ISBN 0-900549-95-5.
• Taylor, James (1985). Mercedes-Benz since 1945: A Collector's Guide. Vol. 2: The 1960s. Croydon, UK: Motor Racing Publications. pp. 9–26, 73–84, 126–132, 135, 140–141, 143. ISBN 0-900549-96-3.
• Taylor, James (1986). Mercedes-Benz since 1945: A Collector's Guide. Vol. 3: The 1970s. Croydon, UK: Motor Racing Publications. pp. 9–60, 61–88, 127–129, 132–134, 139–140, 142. ISBN 0-900549-97-1.
• Taylor, James (1994). Mercedes-Benz since 1945: A Collector's Guide. Vol. 4: The 1980s. Croydon, UK: Motor Racing Publications. pp. 8–16. ISBN 0-947981-77-2.
• Taylor, James (2009). Mercedes-Benz: Cars of the 1990s. Crowood AutoClassic Series. Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press. pp. 8–20, 36–51. ISBN 978-1-84797-096-1.
• Taylor, James (2013). Factory-Original Mercedes SL: The originality guide to Mercedes-Benz SL models, 1963-2003. Beaworthy, Devon, UK: Herridge & Sons. ISBN 978-1-906133-43-6.

Workshop manuals

• Mellon, Thomas A, ed. (2001). Mercedes: Coupes/Sedans/Wagons, 1974-84 Repair Manual. Chilton Total Car Care Series. Radnor, PA, USA: Chilton; Sparkford, UK: Haynes Publishing. ISBN 0-8019-9076-9.
• Schauwecker, Steve; Haynes, John H. (1987). Mercedes-Benz 350 and 450: 1971 thru 1980 3.5 and 4.5 liter V8: 350 SL, 450 SE, 450 SEL, 450 SL, 450 SLC: series 107 and 116 models with fuel-injected V8 engines and automatic transmissions. Haynes Service and Repair Manual Series. Sparkford, UK: Haynes. ISBN 0856966983.
• Mercedes-Benz Technical Companion. Cambridge, MA, USA: Bentley Publishers. 2005. ISBN 978-0-8376-1033-7.

External links

• Official website
• Mercedes-AMG SL63