SL500

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler-Benz (1954-1998) DaimlerChrysler (1999-2007) Daimler AG (2007-present)
Production	1954–present
Assembly	Bremen, Germany Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-door coupe 2-door roadster
Layout	FR layout
Related	Mercedes-Benz E-Class Mercedes-Benz S-Class Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz SSK Mercedes-Benz 540K

First generation
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W198)
Overview
Production	1954–1963
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W121 BII (190 SL) Mercedes-Benz W198 (300 SL)
Powertrain
Engine	1.9 L M121 I4 3.0 L 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)

Second generation
Overview
Production	1963–1971
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W113
Powertrain
Engine	2.3 L M127.II I6 2.5 L M129.II I6 2.8 L 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)

Third generation
Overview
Production	1972–1989
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R107
Powertrain
Engine	2.8 L I6 3.0 L I6 3.5 L V8 3.8 L V8 4.2 L V8 4.5 L V8 5.0 L V8 5.6 L 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)

Fourth generation
Overview
Production	1989–2002
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R129
Powertrain
Engine	2.8 L 193 hp (144 kW) I6 2.8 L 204 hp (152 kW) V6 3.0 L 190 hp (142 kW) I6 3.0 L 231 hp (172 kW) I6 3.2 L 231 hp (172 kW) I6 3.2 L 224 hp (167 kW) V6 5.0 L 326 hp (243 kW) V8 5.0 L 306 hp (228 kW) V8 5.5 L 354 hp (264 kW) AMG V8 6.0 L 381 hp (284 kW) AMG V8 6.0 L 394 hp (294 kW) V12 7.0 L 496 hp (370 kW) AMG V12 7.3 L 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)

Fifth generation
Overview
Production	2001–2008
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R230
Powertrain
Engine	3.7 L 245 hp (183 kW) V6 5.0 L 308 hp (230 kW) V8 5.4 L 493 hp (368 kW) V8 6.0 L 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)

Fifth Generation Facelift
Overview
Production	2009–2012
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R230
Powertrain
Engine	5.0 L 308 hp (230 kW) V8 5.4 L 493 hp (368 kW) V8 5.5 L 382 hp (285 kW) V8 6.0 L 604 hp (450 kW) V12 6.2 L 518 hp (386 kW) V8
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)

Sixth generation
Overview
Production	2012–present
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R231
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 L 333 PS (245 kW) - 362 PS (266 kW) V6 Biturbo 3.5 L 302 hp (225 kW) V6 4.7 L 430 hp (321 kW) V8 turbocharged 5.5 L 429 hp (320 kW) V8 turbocharged 6.0 L 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)

The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a grand touring car manufactured by Mercedes since 1954. The designation SL derives from the German Sportlich-Leicht, (English: Sport Lightweight). The original idea was suggested by American importer Max Hoffman, who perceived a market for a toned-down Gran Prix car tailored to affluent performance enthusiasts in the booming post-war American market, which remains the primary market for the vehicles.

The SL designation was first applied to the 300 SL, often referred to as the "Gullwing" due to its gullwing or upward-opening doors.

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

The 300 SL was introduced in 1954 in coupé form, featuring gullwing doors. The 300 SL roadster succeeded the coupé in 1957. The four-cylinder 190 SL 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 190 SL and 300 SL ended in 1963.

Mercedes Benz 300 SL (W198)

Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster (W198)

Mercedes Benz 190 SL (W121)

Next came the SL-Class 230 SL, a new design with a 2.3-litre 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 250 SL. Within a year the engine displacement was increased for the final time and the model designation became 280 SL. Beginning with later versions of the 250 SL changes were made to dashboard padding, switches and knobs, door pockets (US models only) and steering wheel. In addition, on the 230 SL formerly separate centre hub caps and wheel trim rings became full wheel covers.