View source for Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

{{Infobox Automobile
| name           = Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
| layout         = [[FR layout]]
| manufacturer   = [[Mercedes-Benz]]
| parent_company = [[Daimler-Benz]]<br>[[DaimlerChrysler]]<br>[[Daimler AG]]
| production     = 1957–present
| class          = [[Luxury car|Luxury]] [[Grand Tourer]]
| body_style     = 2-door [[coupe]]<Br>2-door [[convertible]]
| assembly       = [[Bremen (city)|Bremen]], [[Germany]]
}}

The '''[[Mercedes-Benz]] SL-Class''' is a series of luxury [[automobile]]s. SL, meaning "Sport Light", or in German, ''Sport Leicht,'' first appeared on the 1954 '''[[Mercedes-Benz 300SL|300SL]]''' 'Gullwing' so named because of its [[Gull-wing doors|upward-opening passenger doors]].

== 300SL (1954-1962) ==
{{main|Mercedes-Benz 300SL}}
{{Infobox Automobile generation
| name           = First generation
| image          = [[Image:1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe 34.jpg|250px|1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe]]
| production     = 1957-1963
| wheelbase      = 2400 mm (94.5 in)
| length         = 4520 mm (178 in)
| width          = 1790 mm (70.5 in)
| height         = 1300 mm (51.1 in)
| engine         = 1.9L [[Straight-4|I4]]<br>3.0L [[I6]]
| transmission   = 4-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]
}}
The 300SL [[roadster]] succeeded the Gullwing in 1957.  The [[Straight-4|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.

== W113 (1963-1971) ==
{{main|Mercedes-Benz W113}}
{{Infobox Automobile generation
| name           = Second generation
| image          = [[Image:71-Mercedes-Benz-280SL-1.jpg|250px|1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL]]
| production     = 1963-1971
| platform       = [[Mercedes-Benz W113]]
| engine         = 2.3L [[Straight-4|I4]]<Br>2.5L [[I6]]<br>2.8L [[I6]]
| transmission   = 4-speed [[automatic transmission|automatic]]<Br>4-speed [[manual transmission|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.

== R107 (1972-1988) ==
{{main|Mercedes-Benz R107}}
{{Infobox Automobile generation
| name           = Third generation
| image          = [[Image:merc.280sl.arp.jpg|250px|1984-85 Mercedes-Benz 380SL with European headlights and bumpers]]
| production     = 1972-1988
| wheelbase      = {{auto in|96.7|0}}
| length         = {{auto in|180.3|0}}
| platform       = [[Mercedes-Benz R107]]
| width          = {{auto in|70.5|0}}
| height         = {{auto in|51.1|0}}
| engine         = 5.5L [[V8]]<Br>
3.5L [[I6]]<Br>
4.5L [[V8]]
2.8L [[I6]]
3.8L [[V8]]
5.0L [[V8]]
4.2L [[V8]]
5.6L [[V8]]
3.0L [[I6]]
| transmission   = 4-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]<Br>5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]
}}
*'''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 transmission|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.

==R129 (1989-2001)==
{{Infobox Automobile generation
| name           = Fourth generation
| image          = [[Image:1999 Mercedes-Benz SL500.jpg|250px|1999 Mercedes-Benz [[Mercedes-Benz R129|R129]] SL500]]
| production     = 1989-2002
| wheelbase      = {{auto in|99.0|0}}
| length         = 1997-2002: {{auto in|177.1|0}}<Br>1989-1996: {{auto in|176.0|0}}<BR>1992-96 V12: {{auto in|178.0|0}}
| platform       = [[Mercedes-Benz R129]]
| width          = {{auto in|71.3|0}}
| height         = 1992-2002: {{auto in|51.3|0}}<Br>1989-1991: {{auto in|50.7|0}}
| engine         = 5.0L {{Auto hp|302|0}} [[V8]]<Br>
6.0L {{Auto hp|389|0}} [[V12]]<br>
3.2L {{Auto hp|228|0}} [[I6]]<Br>
5.0L {{Auto hp|315|0}} [[V8]]<Br>
3.0L {{Auto hp|228|0}} [[I6]]<Br>
5.0L {{Auto hp|322|0}} [[V8]]<br>7.3L [[V12]]
| transmission   = 5-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]<br>4-speed automatic<br>5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]
}}
{{main|Mercedes-Benz R129}}
The 1989 Mercedes SL base model was the 228&nbsp;hp (170&nbsp;kW) 3.0&nbsp;L [[Straight-6|inline 6]] '''300SL''' version.  But it was the 322&nbsp;hp (240&nbsp;kW) '''500SL''' (with a 5.0&nbsp;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&nbsp;L and 3.2&nbsp;L I6 engines).  The SL500 continued with the same powerful engine.  A 389&nbsp;hp (290&nbsp;kW) 6.0&nbsp;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&nbsp;hp (225&nbsp;kW) 5.0&nbsp;L V8 for 1999.

===AMG===
[[Image:SL73.JPG|thumb|left|150px|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&nbsp;L V12 was later used by [[Pagani]] in the [[Pagani Zonda|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 {{convert|155|mi:h|km:h|0|abbr=on}}, but with the limiter removed, it was capable of approximately {{convert|185|mi:h|km:h|0|abbr=on}}. 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.

==R230 (2002-Present)==
{{main|Mercedes-Benz R230}}
{{Infobox Automobile generation
| name           = Fifth generation
| image          = [[Image:IMG 4142.JPG|250px|2003 Mercedes-Benz SL 500]]
| production     = 2002-present
| wheelbase      = {{auto in|100.8|0}}
| length         = {{auto in|178.5|0}}
| platform       = [[Mercedes-Benz R230]]
| width          = 2005-present: {{auto in|71.5|0}}<BR>2003-04: {{auto in|72.0|0}}
| height         = {{auto in|51.0|0}}
| engine         = 5.5L {{Auto hp|382|0}} [[V8]]<br>
5.4L {{Auto hp|510|0}} [[V8]]<br>
5.5L {{Auto hp|510|0}} [[V12]]<Br>
6.0L {{Auto hp|604|0}} [[V12]]
| transmission   = 5-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]<Br>7-speed automatic
}}
As the new millennium approached, the SL was a decade old and customers were turning to more modern cars like the [[Jaguar XK8]]. 
===2002===
In 2001, an all-new SL (initially just a 5.0&nbsp;L '''SL500''' version) went on sale, boasting the "Vario-Roof", an [[coupe convertible|electric folding steel roof]] which had been seen on the smaller, cheaper [[Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class|SLK]] in 1997.  A 5.0&nbsp;L 302&nbsp;hp (225&nbsp;kW) V8 was standard, with a 5.5&nbsp;L [[Mercedes-AMG|AMG]] V8 appearing in 2002's '''SL55 AMG'''.
===2004===
For 2004, the '''SL600''' was revived, with an '''SL65 AMG''' version making its debut. Both vehicles were powered by V12 engines. The SL600, with its 5.5L V12 engine, produced 493 hp and 590 ft·lbf of torque. It is the most powerful non-AMG SL-Class model ever produced. The SL65 AMG uses a twin-turbocharged 6.0L V12 engine, which produces 604 hp and 738 ft·lbf of torque.
===2005===
[[Image:Mercedes SL500 AMG.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A 2005 SL500]]
In [[2005]], a new model, known as the '''''SL350''''', was produced for the European market. It was powered by a 3.7L V6 engine, which produced 245 hp (182 kW) at 5000 rpm. 

2005 also saw a diesel-powered SL-Class, which was known as the '''''SL400 CDI Concept Car'''''. It was powered by a 4.0L common-rail diesel engine, which produced 315 hp (235 kW) and 730 Nm (538 ft·lbf) of torque. This was powerful enough to propel the car to 60 mph from a standstill in 5.7 seconds. It was only a show car and Mercedes-Benz has no plans to produce it, although recent rumors suggest that the vehicle might make its way into production and be sold at European dealers in the near-future.

===2007===
The entire SL-Class lineup, except for the SL65 AMG, was revised for [[2007]]. A 3.5L V6 engine, developing 272 hp, replaced the 3.7L V6 found in the SL350. The SL500's 5.0L V8 was replaced with a 5.5L V8, producing 382 hp and 391 ft·lbf. This model retains the SL500 name in most markets, but is now sold as the '''SL550''' in North America. The engine in the SL55 AMG was updated to produce 510 hp and 531 ft·lbf of torque. Like the SL55 AMG, the SL600's engine was also updated to produce 510 hp, but 612 ft·lbf of torque.

==Video Games==
* The 2004 [[Playstation 2]] game [[Gran Turismo 4]] features the [[Mercedes-Benz R129|R129]] SL500 and SL600, and the [[Mercedes-Benz R230|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 [[Mercedes-Benz R107|R107]] model.

==References==
<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==
*[http://www.mbusa.com/models/body-style-overview.do?body=roadster Official Mercedes-Benz page USA roadsters]
*[http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedkingdom/mpc/mpc_unitedkingdom_website/en/home_mpc/passenger_cars/home/products/new_cars/SL-Class_Roadster_2006.html Official Mercedes-Benz page UK SL-Class]
*[http://www.mercedes-amg.com official Mercedes-AMG page]

{{Mercedes-Benz vehicles}}

[[Category:Mercedes-Benz vehicles|SL-Class]]
[[Category:Luxury vehicles]]
[[Category:Hardtop convertibles]]
[[Category:Roadsters]]
[[Category:Rear wheel drive vehicles]]

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