Mercedes SL Class

Mercedes Benz SL Class Mercedez Benz SL Class [sic]
Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Parent company	Daimler-Benz DaimlerChrysler Daimler AG
Production	1957–present
Assembly	Bremen, Germany
Class	Luxury Grand Tourer
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout

The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a series of luxury automobiles. SL, meaning “Sport Light”, or in German, Sport Leicht, first appeared on the 1954 300SL ‘Gullwing’ so named because of its upward-opening passenger doors.

1954 to 1962

Main article: Mercedes-Benz 300SL

First generation
Production	1957-1963
Engine(s)	1.9L I4 3.0L I6
Transmission(s)	4-speed manual
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
Production	1963-1971
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W113
Engine(s)	2.3L I4 2.5L I6 2.8L I6
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic4-speed manual

Next came the SL-Class 230SL, a new design with a low waistline and big curved greenhouse windows, and a Coupe Roadster whose distinctive roofline earned the nickname “pagoda top.” 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 1988

Main article: Mercedes-Benz R107

Third generation
Production	1972-1988
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R107
Engine(s)	5.5L V83.5L I6 4.5L V8 2.8L I6 3.8L V8 5.0L V8 4.2L V8 5.6L V83.0L I6
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	96.7 in (2456 mm)
Length	180.3 in (4580 mm)
Width	70.5 in (1791 mm)
Height	51.1 in (1298 mm)

• 350SL – 1971 – 1980
• 450SL – 1973 – 1980
• 280SL – 1974 – 1980
• 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 the US, Japan and Australia received only this model.

1989

Fourth generation
Production	1989-2002
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R129
Engine(s)	5.0L 302 hp (225 kW) V86.0L 389 hp (290 kW) V12 3.2L 228 hp (170 kW) I65.0L 315 hp (235 kW) V8 3.0L 228 hp (170 kW) I65.0L 322 hp (240 kW) V8 7.3L V12
Transmission(s)	5-speed automatic 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	99.0 in (2515 mm)
Length	1997-2002: 177.1 in (4498 mm) 1989-1996: 176.0 in (4470 mm) 1992-96 V12: 178.0 in (4521 mm)
Width	71.3 in (1811 mm)
Height	1992-2002: 51.3 in (1303 mm) 1989-1991: 50.7 in (1288 mm)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz R129

The 1989 Mercedes SL base model was the 228 hp (170 kW) 3.0 L inline 6 300SL version. 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 mild 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 in 1993.

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 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 7.3 L 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).

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 and 384 bhp. 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 today.

Only about 300 cars in the SL-class were customized by AMG prior to 2003.

2001

Main article: Mercedes-Benz R230

Fifth generation
Production	2001-present
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R230
Engine(s)	5.5L 382 hp (285 kW) V85.4L 510 hp (380 kW) V8 5.5L 510 hp (380 kW) V126.0L 604 hp (450 kW) V12
Transmission(s)	5-speed automatic 7-speed automatic
Wheelbase	100.8 in (2560 mm)
Length	178.5 in (4534 mm)
Width	2005-present: 71.5 in (1816 mm)2003-04: 72.0 in (1829 mm)
Height	51.0 in (1295 mm)

As the new millennium approached, the SL was a decade old and customers were turning to more modern cars like the Jaguar XK8.

In 2001, an all-new SL (initially just a 5.0 L SL500 version) went on sale, boasting the “Vario-Roof”, an electric folding steel roof which had been seen on the smaller, cheaper SLK in 1997. A 5.0 L 302 hp (225 kW) V8 was optional, with a 5.5 L AMG V8 appearing in 2004’s SL55 AMG. V12 engines are available in the SL600 and the limited-production SL65 AMG.

2005

2007 Mercedes-Benz SL 550

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$90,620
  • 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 497 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) 4.7 s

2003-2006 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG

• 2005 SL65 AMG
  • 5-speed automatic transmission with AMG SpeedShift programming
  • AMG 8-piston composite calipers brakes
  • 19 inch dual spoke AMG wheels
  • US$179,720
  • AMG-built twin-turbocharged 6.0 L (5,980 cc) SOHC 36-valve V12 engine 612 hp (456 kW) at 5500 rpm while having 738 lb torque.

• 2005 SL400 CDI Concept Car (Prototype)

This model was introduced as a prototype in 2005 Geneva Motor Show

These are the specs of SL400 CDI : Engine : Diesel V8 (eight cylinder)

• • Displacement : 3996 liter
  • Valvetrain : 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC
  • Fuel feed : Commonrail Direct fuel injection
  • Aspiration : Twin-Turbo
  • Drivetrain : Rear wheel drive

Performance figure of SL 400 CDI :

• • Power : 315 bhp / 235 kW
  • Torque : 730 Nm / 538 ft·lbf
  • BHP/Liter : 79 bhp / liter
  • Top Speed : 250 km/h / 155 mph(electronically limited)
  • 0-100 km/h Acceleration : 5.7 s

Video Games

• The 2004 Playstation 2 game Gran Turismo 4 features the R129 SL500 and SL600, and the R230 SL500, SL55 AMG, SL600, and SL65 AMG.

• The Xbox 360/PC game Test Drive Unlimited features the SL65 AMG, only available with the roof retracted.

• The video game Need For Speed: Most Wanted features both the SL500 and the SL65 AMG.

• The 2006 video game Need for Speed: Carbon features the SL65 AMG.

• The video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas features a car called the Feltzer which is based on the R107 model.

References

The 2000 video game Driver 2 features cars based on the Mercedes-Benz R107 SL-Class in the Rio de Janeiro ‘level’.

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

• Official Mercedes-Benz page USA roadsters
• Official Mercedes-Benz page UK SL-Class
• official Mercedes-AMG page
• SL, SLC, SLR, SLK Forums
• SL Forums
• SL Images, Articles, Classifieds
• 300 SL image
• History, Pictures, Videos, Brochures etc.

Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.orghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_SL-Class“

Categories: Mercedes-Benz vehicles | Luxury vehicles | Hardtop convertibles | Roadsters | Rear wheel drive vehicles