Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Roadster & Convertible
Production years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
It was the last stint for the fourth generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL, which brought a final set of innovations to the famous German roadster.
Mercedes-Benz SL appeared for the first time in 1954 after the American importer Max Hoffman convinced the German carmaker to build an open-top, two-seat, luxury roadster. He gave the nameplate idea to the carmaker. That's how the legendary SL (Sport-Leicht or Sport-Light) was born. In 1989, the fourth generation was one of the fastest and luxurious roadsters on the market.
Unlike any other Mercedes-Benz available, the SL was built as a Grand Tourer, with room for two, a long hood, a short cabin, and an even shorter trunk. Its thick and raked A-pillars served as a safety arch to protect the occupants in an unlikely roll-over situation. In 1998, the carmaker introduced the SL's final facelift, which brought body-colored door handles and different, rounded taillights. The side-vents behind the front wheel-wells were different, with two more sweeping cuts instead of three narrower ones as before.
Inside, Mercedes-Benz changed the interior almost completely. The dashboard looked similar, but the instrument cluster featured silver rings around the dials. Depending on the version, the car sported wood-trims or aluminum ones. For the sound system, Mercedes-Benz switched to the fiber-optic network instead of copper-based wiring, closely working with Bose for an excellent sound experience.
Under the hood, Mercedes-Benz offered four gasoline engine choices ranged between 204 hp and 394 hp. The latter was found on the S-Class as well. Another improvement was the introduction of the 5G-Tronic automatic gearbox.
ENGINE SPECS - 280 V6 5MT RWD (204 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 2799 cm3 |
Power: | 150 KW @ 5700 RPM 204 HP @ 5700 RPM 201 BHP @ 5700 RPM |
Torque: | 199 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 270 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: | 144 mph (232 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 225/55 R16Z |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 176 in (4470 mm) |
Width: | 71.3 in (1811 mm) |
Height: | 50.8 in (1290 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.2/59.8 in (1,529/1,519 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 99.2 in (2520 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.9 cuFT (252 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3781 lbs (1715 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4696 lbs (2130 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 15 mpg US (15.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 30.2 mpg US (7.8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 22 mpg US (10.7 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 251 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 320 V6 5AT RWD (226 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3199 cm3 |
Power: | 165 KW @ 5600 RPM 224 HP @ 5600 RPM 221 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 232 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 315 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: | 148 mph (238 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.4 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: | 225/55 R16Z |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 176 in (4470 mm) |
Width: | 71.3 in (1811 mm) |
Height: | 50.8 in (1290 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.2/59.8 in (1,529/1,519 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 99.2 in (2520 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.9 cuFT (252 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3825 lbs (1735 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4738 lbs (2149 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 14.6 mpg US (16.1 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 29.4 mpg US (8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 21.4 mpg US (11 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 258 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): | 6.5 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: | 225/55ZR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 176 in (4470 mm) |
Width: | 71.3 in (1811 mm) |
Height: | 50.8 in (1290 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.2/59.8 in (1,529/1,519 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 99.2 in (2520 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.9 cuFT (252 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3957 lbs (1795 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4872 lbs (2210 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 12.5 mpg US (18.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 26.7 mpg US (8.8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 18.8 mpg US (12.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 293 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 600 V12 5AT RWD (394 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V12 |
Displacement: | 5987 cm3 |
Power: | 290 KW @ 5200 RPM 394 HP @ 5200 RPM 389 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 420 lb-ft @ 3800 RPM 570 Nm @ 3800 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): | 6.1 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: | 245/45 R17Z |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 176 in (4470 mm) |
Width: | 71.3 in (1811 mm) |
Height: | 50.8 in (1290 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.2/59.8 in (1,529/1,519 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 99.2 in (2520 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.9 cuFT (252 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4310 lbs (1955 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5115 lbs (2320 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 10.1 mpg US (23.3 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 21.6 mpg US (10.9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 15.2 mpg US (15.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 370 g/km |