autoevolution
 

Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Roadster & Convertible
Production years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

MERCEDES BENZ SL (R129) 1998-2001 8 Photos
MERCEDES BENZ SL (R129) (1998-2001)MERCEDES BENZ SL (R129) (1998-2001)MERCEDES BENZ SL (R129) (1998-2001)MERCEDES BENZ SL (R129) (1998-2001)MERCEDES BENZ SL (R129) (1998-2001)MERCEDES BENZ SL (R129) (1998-2001)MERCEDES BENZ SL (R129) (1998-2001)MERCEDES BENZ SL (R129) (1998-2001)

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.

MERCEDES BENZ SL (R129) 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
  4 gasoline engines
  • 280 V6 5MT RWD (204 HP)
  • 320 V6 5AT RWD (226 HP)
  • 500 V8 5AT RWD (306 HP)
  • 600 V12 5AT RWD (394 HP)

MERCEDES BENZ SL (R129)
280 V6 5MT RWD (204 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 280 V6 5MT RWD (204 HP)
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
Top Speed:144 mph (232 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):9.7 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-Speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Ventilated Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:225/55 R16Z
DIMENSIONS
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
Unladen Weight:3781 lbs (1715 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:4696 lbs (2130 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
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

MERCEDES BENZ SL (R129)
320 V6 5AT RWD (226 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 320 V6 5AT RWD (226 HP)
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
Top Speed:148 mph (238 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):8.4 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Ventilated Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:225/55 R16Z
DIMENSIONS
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
Unladen Weight:3825 lbs (1735 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:4738 lbs (2149 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
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

MERCEDES BENZ SL (R129)
500 V8 5AT RWD (306 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 500 V8 5AT RWD (306 HP)
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
Top Speed:155.3 mph (250 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):6.5 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Ventilated Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:225/55ZR16
DIMENSIONS
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
Unladen Weight:3957 lbs (1795 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:4872 lbs (2210 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
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

MERCEDES BENZ SL (R129)
600 V12 5AT RWD (394 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 600 V12 5AT RWD (394 HP)
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
Top Speed:155.3 mph (250 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):6.1 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Ventilated Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:245/45 R17Z
DIMENSIONS
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
Unladen Weight:4310 lbs (1955 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:5115 lbs (2320 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
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
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