Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Coupe Cabrio
Production years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
The 2001 SL was a mix between advanced technologies, performance, and comfort; all packed together into a sexy, open-top roadster fit for long cruises.
Mercedes-Benz introduced the SL (W230) in July 2001, and its look was miles away from its predecessor. The car featured adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency call, the COMMAND infotainment system, and a tire-pressure monitor. In the beginning, the carmaker offered only the SL500, followed by the SL55 AMG in the same year and by the SL350 in 2002, and the twin-turbo SL600.
The car's exterior continued the idea of twin headlights introduced by the E-Class in 1995 with individual headlamps and continued by the C-Class in 2000. On the SL, the carmaker made it better with clear lenses. Depending on the options, it featured Xenon headlamps. Its grille sported four chromed slats while on the front fenders, the twin-slats vents that resembled the SL300 from the '50s. Unlike its predecessor, the 2001 model featured a retractable hardtop, which completely disappeared under a tonneau cover behind the cabin.
Inside, Mercedes-Benz installed a leather-clad interior with sport bucket seats. A tall center console divided the cabin in two. In front of the driver, the carmaker installed a four-dial instrument cluster with a unique design. In the center, the carmaker added the speedometer and the tachometer, flanked on the outer sides by the fuel-gauge coolant-temperature gauges. The driver needed only 16 seconds to retract the roof at the touch of a button. Mercedes introduced an option for a glass roof in 2002.
Under the hood, the carmaker installed four engines ranging between a 3.7-liter V-6 and a 5.5-liter V-12. The former was the only one available with a manual transmission. All other versions were paired as standard with a five-speed automatic transmission.
ENGINE SPECS - 350 V6 5AT RWD (245 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3724 cm3 |
Power: | 180 KW @ 5750 RPM 245 HP @ 5750 RPM 241 BHP @ 5750 RPM |
Torque: | 258 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 350 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 21.1 gallons (79.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 155 mph (249 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 7.2 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 255/45R17W |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 178.5 in (4534 mm) |
Width: | 71.9 in (1826 mm) |
Height: | 51.9 in (1318 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.4/60.9 in (1,560/1,547 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.8 in (2560 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.3 cuFT (235 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.29 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3704 lbs (1680 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4519 lbs (2050 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 13.4 mpg US (17.6 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 28.3 mpg US (8.3 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 20.1 mpg US (11.7 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 276 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 350 V6 6MT RWD (245 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3724 cm3 |
Power: | 180 KW @ 5750 RPM 245 HP @ 5750 RPM 241 BHP @ 5750 RPM |
Torque: | 258 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 350 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 21.1 gallons (79.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 155.3 mph (250 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 7.2 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 255/45R17W |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 178.5 in (4534 mm) |
Width: | 71.9 in (1826 mm) |
Height: | 51.9 in (1318 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.4/60.9 in (1,560/1,547 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.8 in (2560 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.3 cuFT (235 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.29 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3869 lbs (1755 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4519 lbs (2050 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 13.7 mpg US (17.2 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 28.3 mpg US (8.3 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 20.5 mpg US (11.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 276 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 500 V8 5AT RWD (306 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 4966 cm3 |
Power: | 225 KW @ 5600 RPM 306 HP @ 5600 RPM 302 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 339 lb-ft @ 2700-4250 RPM 460 Nm @ 2700-4250 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 21.1 gallons (79.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 155.3 mph (250 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 6.3 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 255/45 R17 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 178.5 in (4534 mm) |
Width: | 71.9 in (1826 mm) |
Height: | 51.1 in (1298 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.4/60.9 in (1,560/1,547 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.8 in (2560 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.3 cuFT (235 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.29 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4068.2 lbs (1845 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4718.7 lbs (2140 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 12.3 mpg US (19.1 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 25.6 mpg US (9.2 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 18.5 mpg US (12.7 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 304 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 600 V12 5AT RWD (500 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V12 |
Displacement: | 5513 cm3 |
Power: | 368 KW @ 5000 RPM 500 HP @ 5000 RPM 493 BHP @ 5000 RPM |
Torque: | 590 lb-ft @ 1800-3500 RPM 800 Nm @ 1800-3500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 21.1 gallons (79.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 155.3 mph (250 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 4.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 255/40 R18Z (Front) / 285/35 R18Z (Rear) |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 178.5 in (4534 mm) |
Width: | 71.9 in (1826 mm) |
Height: | 50.8 in (1290 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.4/60.5 in (1,560/1,537 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.8 in (2560 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.3 cuFT (235 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.29 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4464 lbs (2025 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5071 lbs (2300 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 10.5 mpg US (22.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 23.8 mpg US (9.9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 16.8 mpg US (14 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 346 g/km |