Mercedes-Benz R230

Fifth generation

Production	2001-2008
Platform	Mercedes-Benz R230
Engine(s)	5.5L 382 hp (285 kW) V8 5.4L 510 hp (380 kW) V8 5.5L 510 hp (380 kW) V12 6.0L 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)

The Mercedes-Benz R230 automobile was introduced in 2001. It was sold as the SL-Class convertible, replacing the R129.

Models

SL500

The SL500 was the top-selling version of the SL-Class early in the R230 series. It used a 5.0 L 24-valve V8 engine, which produced 306 hp (228 kW) and 339 ft·lbf (460 N·m).

A 5.5 L 32-valve DOHC V8 engine replaced the 5.0 L found in the SL500 for 2007. The 5.5 litre naturally aspirated V8 can also be found in the new E550 and S550. This model will retain the SL500 name in most markets, but will be sold as the SL550 in North America. It now produces 382 hp (285 kW) and 391 ft·lbf (530 N·m). It now accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds and has a limited top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h).

In 2007, Mercedes will create 75 limited-edition 50th Anniversary SL550s. [1] According to another article, Mercedes created 550 of these cars, all pewter in colour with burgundy leather, black ash wood trim, 18-inch double five-spoked wheels, and matching 50th Anniversary Edition luggage.

SL600

The SL600 is the highest-output version of the non-AMG SL-Class models. It uses a V12 engine which produced 493 hp (368 kW) and 590 ft·lbf (800 N·m) from 2003 through 2006 and was uprated to 510 hp (380 kW) and 612 ft·lbf (830 N·m) for 2007. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds, according to Mercedes-Benz. However Car and Driver achieved extremely impressive acceleration test figures with 60 mph (97 km/h) achieved in just 3.6 seconds, 100 mph (160 km/h) in 8.6 seconds and a Quarter Mile run in 11.9 seconds at 120 mph (190 km/h).

SL55 AMG

The SL55 AMG version was released in 2002 with a supercharged 5.4 Litre, 5439 cc Mercedes-AMG V8 engine. This produces 469 hp (350 kW).

The SL55 AMG was updated for 2006 with a 510 hp (380 kW), 531 ft·lbf (720 N·m) version of the same engine. With increased power and torque, the car can now, according to the official website, accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.4 seconds, 0.3 seconds quicker than before. The new model has only slight visual differentiators, the most noticeable is the three-slat grille rather than the four-slat version used previously. The top speed is limited to 155 mph (249 km/h), but can be extended to 186 mph (299 km/h) for an additional cost.[2] The 6.3 litre V8 is expected to replace the current engine for the 2009 model year. Upon release in 2002 this was for it's time the fastest automatic car in the world. Of course this was before the SLR Mclaren hit the market in 2003-present. The news that the SL55 AMG will not be in production has upset thousands of car fans, including Top Gear presenters. Jeremy Clarkson owned one of the very first SL55 AMG's

SL65 AMG

SL65 AMG

The SL65 AMG version offers 604 hp (450 kW) from its twin-turbocharged 6.0 liter, 5,980 cc V12 engine at 5500 rpm. It retailed for $179,720 as of 2005. Mercedes-Benz listed a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds on their official website, though several road tests show that it actually takes under 4 seconds to reach 60 mph (97 km/h). Car and Driver achieved 60 mph (97 km/h) from a standstill in 3.8 seconds, 100 mph (160 km/h) in 8.2 seconds and recorded a Quarter Mile-time of 11.9 seconds at 123 mph (198 km/h).

Black Series version was unveiled in Monterey in 2008.^[1] The engine is rated 670 hp (500 kW).

Facelift

Facelift

Facelift

The SL receives a face lift in 2008 featuring 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. A more significant option will be the addition of a new entry-level model, the SL280 with a 228 hp (170 kW) V6. Another breakthrough for the facelift SL is a new 3.5 litre high-revving V6 with an 316 hp (236 kW) and 360 N·m (270 lb·ft) torque in the SL350, an improvement of 44 hp (33 kW) and 10 N·m (7.4 lb·ft) over the outgoing model. Also the outgoing SL55 AMG will be replaced by the newer M156 6.2 litre SL63 AMG. This has the new AMG developed 7-speed MCT "Multi Clutch Technology" semi-automatic transmission. This uses a twin clutch design, a first for Mercedes and AMG. It features a compact, wet start-up clutch and double declutching. it's fitted with four drive modes: “C” (Comfort), “S” (Sport), “S+” (Sport plus) and “M” (Manual) and boasts 100 millisecond shifts in "M" mode. The face lifted SL will be debuted at the Geneva Auto Show.^[2]

References

1. ^ Monterey 2008: SL65 AMG Black Series in the flesh!
2. ^ Autocar - Revealed: New Mercedes SL

• "More Muscle: The big changes come under the hood for the new SL55 AMG". AutoWeek. http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060224/FREE/60222003/1024/LATESTNEWS. Retrieved on February 27 2006. 
• "A Visceral Difference: SL upgrade focuses on performance". AutoWeek. http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060224/FREE/60222002/1024/LATESTNEWS. Retrieved on February 27 2006. 
• "Revealed: New Mercedes SL". Autocar. http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/230424/. Retrieved on January 23 2008. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mercedes-Benz R230

• SL-Class on Mercedes-Benz USA website