description
after having successfully tested the folding hardtop on the first slk, mercedes-benz has logically fitted the last generation of sl with such a device / as the flagship of the range, the sl just couldn't let the smaller slk keep it / mercedes and cts engineers seized the opportunity to introduce some improvements : when the roof folds, the backlight sets apart from the pillars and rotates in order to be stored concentrically with the upper roof panel, which frees some space in the trunk (such kinematics have been applied to the second generation of slk) / moreover, at the push of a button, the retracted panels move up to ease the loading of the boot / this improvement has since been fitted to several other coupé/convertibles, such as the volvo c70 or the opel astra twintop / last but not least, a fully glazed roof is available as an option

the list of the sl's technical sophistications does not end there for sure : the roadster includes all the know-how of mercedes concerning engines, transmission, suspension and equipment, to such an extent that the high-end versions easily exceed 2 tons, which is rather absurd for a vehicle accomodating only 2 passengers / let's not forget that sl initially meant "sport leicht" (sport light) / however, the elegant body and powerful engines helped the sl achieve a great commercial success, despite its hefty price tag

in 2006 the sl benefited from one of those micro-facelifts that are mercedes's specialty : only a three-bar grille, redesigned lamps and slightly revised bumpers set the new phase apart from the previous one / the engine range has been almost totally revamped and horsepower ratings are even higher than before / however, no diesel engine has appeared, despite what the vision sl 400 cdi biturbo concept car seemed to foretell / it might be the case for the next-generation sl, which will have a hard time trying to surpass the current one

photos
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data

identification	mercedes-benz sl
country	germany
appearances	2001 bagatelle / 2001 francfort iaa
body	2-door 2-seat coupé/convertible / electro-hydraulic retractable hardtop developped and supplied by cts
designer	unknown
engine	- sl 350 (2002-2005) : front-mounted v6 / 3724 cc / 245 hp @ 5700 rpm / 350 nm @ 3000 rpm / 2 overhead camshafts / 18 valves / electronic injection - sl 350 (2006-200x) : front-mounted v6 / 3498 cc / 272 hp @ 6000 rpm / 350 nm @ 2400 rpm / 4 overhead camshafts / 24 valves / electronic injection - sl 500 (2001-2005) : front-mounted v8 / 4966 cc / 306 hp @ 5600 rpm / 460 nm @ 2700 rpm / 2 overhead camshafts / 24 valves / electronic injection - sl 500 (2006-200x) : front-mounted v8 / 5461 cc / 388 hp @ 6000 rpm / 530 nm @ 2800 rpm / 4 overhead camshafts / 32 valves / electronic injection - sl 55 amg (2001-2003) : front-mounted v8 / 5439 cc / 476 hp @ 6100 rpm / 700 nm @ 2650 rpm / 2 overhead camshafts / 24 valves / electronic injection / supercharger - sl 55 amg (2003-2005) : front-mounted v8 / 5439 cc / 500 hp @ 6100 rpm / 700 nm @ 2650 rpm / 2 overhead camshafts / 24 valves / electronic injection / supercharger - sl 55 amg (2006-200x) : front-mounted v8 / 5439 cc / 517 hp @ 6100 rpm / 720 nm @ 2600 rpm / 2 overhead camshafts / 24 valves / electronic injection / supercharger - sl 600 (2003-2005) : front-mounted v12 / 5513 cc / 500 hp @ 5000 rpm / 800 nm @ 1800 rpm / 2 overhead camshafts / 36 valves / electronic injection / 2 turbochargers - sl 600 (2006-200x) : front-mounted v12 / 5513 cc / 517 hp @ 5000 rpm / 830 nm @ 1900 rpm / 2 overhead camshafts / 36 valves / electronic injection / 2 turbochargers - sl 65 amg (2004-200x) : front-mounted v12 / 5980 cc / 612 hp @ 4800 rpm / 1000 nm @ 2000 rpm / 2 overhead camshafts / 36 valves / electronic injection / 2 turbochargers
transmission	rear wheel drive / 6-speed manual or 5 or 7-speed automatic gearbox / traction control
suspension	front : independent wheels + 4 links + coil springs / rear : independent wheels + 5 links + coil springs / active suspension
brakes	electro-hydraulic power ventilated discs / abs / brake amplifier
steering	speed-controlled power rack and pinion
wheels	- sl 350 : 255/45r17 - sl 500 : 255/45r17 - sl 55 amg : front 255/40r18 / rear 285/35r18 - sl 600 : front 255/40r18 / rear 285/35r18 - sl 65 amg : front 255/35r19 / rear 285/30r19
dimensions	- sl 350 (2002-2005) : wheelbase 256 cm / length 453.5 cm / width 181.5 cm / height 129.8 cm / weight 1755 kg - sl 350 (2006-200x) : wheelbase 256 cm / length 453.2 cm / width 182.7 cm / height 131.7 cm / weight 1825 kg - sl 500 (2001-2005) : wheelbase 256 cm / length 453.5 cm / width 181.5 cm / height 129.8 cm / weight 1845 kg - sl 500 (2006-200x) : wheelbase 256 cm / length 453.2 cm / width 182.7 cm / height 129.8 cm / weight 1910 kg - sl 55 amg (2001-2005) : wheelbase 256 cm / length 453.5 cm / width 181.5 cm / height 129.5 cm / weight 1955 kg - sl 55 amg (2006-200x) : wheelbase 256 cm / length 453.5 cm / width 182.7 cm / height 129.5 cm / weight 1960 kg - sl 600 (2003-2005) : wheelbase 256 cm / length 453.5 cm / width 182.7 cm / height 129.8 cm / weight 1950 kg - sl 600 (2006-200x) : wheelbase 256 cm / length 453.2 cm / width 182.7 cm / height 129.8 cm / weight 2045 kg - sl 65 amg (2004-200x) : wheelbase 256 cm / length 453.5 cm / width 182.7 cm / height 129.5 cm / weight 2070 kg
performances	- sl 350 (2002-2005) : top speed 250 kph / 0 to 100 kph 7.2 sec - sl 350 (2006-200x) : top speed 250 kph / 0 to 100 kph 6.6 sec - sl 500 (2001-2005) : top speed 250 kph / 0 to 100 kph 6.3 sec - sl 500 (2006-200x) : top speed 250 kph / 0 to 100 kph 5.4 sec - sl 55 amg (2001-2005) : top speed 250 kph / 0 to 100 kph 4.7 sec - sl 55 amg (2006-200x) : top speed 250 kph / 0 to 100 kph 4.5 sec - sl 600 : top speed 250 kph / 0 to 100 kph 4.7 sec - sl 65 amg : top speed 250 kph / 0 to 100 kph 4.2 sec
production	in progress

photos 01-33 : mercedes-benz

last update 15/08/2006