Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Mercedes-Benz did not announce what the abbreviation "SL" meant when the car was introduced.

Leicht is either "easy" as an adverb or "light" as an adjective in German. Defining a car it has to mean "Light".

It is often assumed that the letters stand for Sport Leicht. One car magazine in 2012 declared that the abbreviation "SL" - "securitized and personally signed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut " meant Super Leicht.[1] This contradicts "Mercedes-Benz 300 SL" of Engelen / Riedner / Seufert, which was produced in close cooperation with Rudolf Uhlenhaut showing that the abbreviation meant Sport Leicht.[2]

Mercedes-Benz used both forms until 2017. It was even called Super Super.[3] On the company website it was called Sport Leicht until 2017 and then changed to Super Leicht.[4]

For a long time it was unclear what intention the company had at the time when assigning the letter combination. It was not until the beginning of 2017 that a chance finding in the corporate archive clarified that the abbreviation SL stood for Super-Leicht.[5]

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)

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.

• 300 SL ("Gullwing"): 1954–1957, 3.0 L I6, 215 PS (158 kW)
• 300 SL (Roadster): 1957–1963 3.0 L I6, 225 PS (165 kW)
• 190 SL: 1955–1963, 1.9 L I4, 105 PS (77 kW)

• 
  Mercedes Benz 300 SL (W198)
• 
  Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster (W198)
• 
  Mercedes Benz 190 SL (W121)

Second generation
Overview
Production	1963–1971
Designer	Paul Bracq Béla Barényi Friedrich Geiger
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)

1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL roadster (Australia)

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 hubcaps and wheel trim rings became full wheel covers.

• 230 SL: 1963–1967, 2.3 L I6, 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp)
• 250 SL: 1966–1968, 2.5 L I6, 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp)
• 280 SL: 1967–1971, 2.8 L I6, 170 PS (125 kW)

Third generation
Overview
Production	1971–1989
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R107 and C107
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)

Mercedes-Benz 560 SL roadster (Japan)

• 350 SL: 1971–1972, 3.5 L V8
• 450 SL: 1973–1980, 4.5 L V8
• 280 SL: 1974–1985, 2.8 L I6
• 380 SL: 1980–1986, 3.8 L V8
• 500 SL: 1980–1986, 5.0 L 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.

• 300 SL: 1986–1989

The 300 SL 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.

• 420 SL: 1986–1989, 4.2 L V8
• 500 SL: 1986–1989, 5.0 L V8
• 560 SL: 1986–1989, 5.5 L V8

The 560 SL was only sold in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia to compensate the reduced output of the 5.0-litres due to the stricter emission laws in these markets.

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 518 hp (386 kW) AMG V12
Transmission	5-speed automatic 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	99.0 in (2,515 mm)
Length	1997–2002: 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	1992–2002: 51.3 in (1,303 mm) 1989–1991: 50.7 in (1,288 mm)

Mercedes-Benz SL 320 (France)

The 1989 Mercedes SL base model was the 228 hp (170 kW) 3.0-litre inline 6 300 SL version in the US. In Europe the base model was the 190 hp (140 kW) 3.0-litre inline 6 300 SL with 12 valves, and the 228 hp (170 kW) 3.0-litre inline 6 with 24 valves is known as the 300 SL 24 . But it was the 326 hp (240 kW) 500 SL (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 or she choose to. This facilitates the clean look of the 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 300 SL was replaced in Europe by the SL 280 and SL 320 (with 2.8- and 3.2-litre I6 engines). The SL 500 continued with the same powerful engine. A 389 hp (290 kW) 6.0-litre V12 SL 600 topped the range. Introduced in 1993 as the 600 SL, it was re-badged the SL 600 in 1994. It had the same engine as the original Pagani Zonda.

The SL 320 replaced the 300 SL in the United States in 1995, but the SL 280 was not offered. The six-cylinder SLs were dropped from the US line-up in 1998, leaving just the V8 and V12. The SL 500 got a new 302 hp (225 kW) 5.0-litre V8 for 1999.

AMG

1999 Mercedes-Benz SL 73 AMG

The extremely rare SL 73 AMG was sold through AMG in 1995, and at 386 kW (525 PS; 518 bhp) at 5,500 rpm and 750 N⋅m (553 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4,000 rpm[6] it offered the most powerful V12 engine ever put into a Mercedes-Benz vehicle up to that time. After a brief gap, the SL 73 was offered again from 1998 to 2001, although the engine was slightly updated to be more reliable. The same 7.3 L (7,291 cc) V12 was later used by Pagani in the Zonda S 7.3. A total of 85 SL 73 AMG roadsters were built. The SL 73 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 SL 73 is the car that appears in the picture (left).

Even rarer is the SL 70 AMG which was powered by a 7.0-litre V12 engine.

The SL 60 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 0–100 km/h (62 mph) time of 5.6 seconds. Its top speed was limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), but with the limiter removed, it was capable of approximately 295 km/h (183 mph). AMG later unofficially admitted that 0–100 km/h was very close to 5.0 seconds and the engine produced between 405–410 bhp.

The SL 55 AMG was sold through AMG in the R129 body style from 1998 to 2002 in limited quantity. It was the predecessor of the production R230 SL 55 AMG sold from 2001 to 2008.

Only about 300 cars in the SL-class were customised by AMG prior to 2002.

Fifth generation
Overview
Production	2001–2011
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R230
Powertrain
Engine	3.7 L 245 hp (183 kW) V6 5.0 L 302 hp (225 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	2005–07: 71.5 in (1,816 mm) 2002–04: 72.0 in (1,829 mm)
Height	51.0 in (1,295 mm)

Mercedes-Benz SL 500 roadster (Europe)

The fifth generation SL was in production between 2001 and 2008. The all-new SL (initially just a 5.0-litre SL 500 version) featured a retractable hardtop (marketed as the Vario Roof) available on the SLK since 1997. This featured a 5.0-litre 302 hp (225 kW) V8, with a 5.4-litre AMG Supercharged V8 appearing in 2002's SL 55 AMG. An improved 5.5-litre V8 was introduced in 2007 with 382 hp.[7] V12 engines were available in the SL 600 and the limited-production SL 65 AMG. The SL 350 3.7-litre (3724 cc) 18-valve V6 245 hp was only available in some markets. The R230 also features the ABC (active body control) which offers the balance of comfort and handling; this complex system uses accumulators and hydraulic fluids to regulate the firmness and heights of the suspension. Newer model years (2004+) feature the 7 speed transmission, which is superior to the previous 5 speed transmission.

Facelift (2008–2011)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R230)

Fifth Generation Facelift
Overview
Production	2008–2011
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) 2002–04: 72.0 in (1,829 mm)
Height	51.0 in (1,295 mm)

Facelift Mercedes-Benz SL 350 convertible (UK)

The R230 SL underwent a significant facelift in 2008 featuring new and revised engines and a new front end that evokes the classic 300 SL with a large grille featuring a prominent 3-pointed star and twin "power domes" on the bonnet, 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.

Sixth generation
Overview
Production	2012–2020
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R231
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 3.0 L 333 PS (245 kW) - 367 PS (270 kW) V6 Biturbo 3.0 L M256 I6 turbocharged (2020-; SL 450 EQ Boost) 3.5 L 306 PS (225 kW) V6 4.7 L 435 PS (320 kW) - 455 PS (335 kW)V8 Biturbo 4.0 L M176 V8 twin-turbo (2020-; SL 500) 4.0 L M177 V8 twin-turbo (2020-; SL 63 AMG) 5.5 L 537 PS (395 kW) - 585 PS (430 kW)V8 Biturbo (2012-2019) 6.0 L 630 PS (460 kW) V12 Biturbo (2012-2018) Hybrid 3.0 L M256 AMG-enhanced with EQ Boost turbocharged I6 (2020-; SL 53 AMG)
Transmission	7-speed automatic (9-speed from MY2017)
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)

Mercedes-Benz SL 350 AMG Line (Germany)

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 body shell 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 body shell, the scales show some better figures: the SL 500 (1,785 kg) weighs around 125 kg (276 lb) less and the SL 350 (1,685 kg) is 140 kg (309 lb) 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).

Facelift (2016–2020)

A mid-cycle facelift was introduced in 2016 for the 2017 model year. Launched early 2016 in California, the revised SL400 (renamed SL450 in the US) featured a 3-litre 362 hp (367 PS) biturbo V6 mated, for the first time in the SL, to Mercedes' own 9G-Tronic PLUS 9-speed automatic transmission.

An SL500 (US SL550), with a 4.7-litre biturbo V8 producing 449 hp (455 PS), was likewise paired with the 9G-tronic PLUS transmission. The Mercedes-AMG SL63 (577 hp/585PS) and SL65 (621 hp/630PS) variants continued with virtually unchanged powertrains, paired with AMG's SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission with claimed improved shift times.

Cosmetically, every SL received a revised front end, front grille treatment and larger non-functional side 'vents' behind the front wheels. All variants also received adaptive LED front headlights with integrated daytime running lights and turn signals, leaving the below-bumper intake area free from lighting. The LED tail lights received single-colour red or red-and-amber lenses instead of the red and white of the pre-facelift models.

Front and rear bumper assemblies were redesigned to align more closely with recent models introduced by Mercedes, while selected convenience and driver assistance technologies, introduced earlier on various other Mercedes models, were made optionally available, including revised Active Body Control (ABC), now with the "Curve Tilting" function from the S-Class Coupe. Externally, the SL63 and SL65 were distinguishable from the non-AMG variants by embellishments to their bumper assemblies and side sills in gloss black or polished aluminium, respectively. The SL63 and SL65 also featured trademark AMG 'twin lamella' front grilles and dual twin tailpipe exhaust trims as well as a carbon fibre composite trunk lid.

A slight revision to the folding 'Vario-roof' hardtop operation meant it would continue to deploy at speeds up to 25 mph (40 km/h) once initiated and the luggage compartment partition, required to prevent the hardtop components, when folded, and any luggage compartment contents coming into contact with each other, no longer had to be deployed in a separate manual operation.

Interiors continued virtually unchanged for MY2017 with the exception of slightly revised minor switchgear and a redesigned steering wheel.

Lexus LC
BMW 8 Series

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.

• Official website
• Mercedes-AMG SL 63