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MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129) 1989-1995 Photos, engines & full specs

Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Roadster & Convertible
Production years: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129) 1989-1995 10 Photos
MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129) (1989-1995)MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129) (1989-1995)MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129) (1989-1995)MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129) (1989-1995)MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129) (1989-1995)MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129) (1989-1995)MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129) (1989-1995)MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129) (1989-1995)MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129) (1989-1995)MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129) (1989-1995)

Mercedes-Benz kept the SL R107 on the market between 1971 and 1989, thus making it the second-longest series in the carmaker's portfolio, after the G-Class. Its successor, codename R129, was a major step forward into the modern era of roadsters and convertibles.

When the 1989 SL broke the covers of the magazines, it was a stunning appearance. It offered the image of a sporty roadster that could serve as a GT as well. Moreover, the car could have been used as a daily driver inside a city and still offer a pleasant experience.

The SL skipped the whole pop-up headlights craziness that affected the European car design in the '80s and kept the regular, squared-looking shape for them, albeit they were slightly tilted backward for an enhanced aerodynamic profile. Its slatted grille and low, flat hood were key design elements for the German carmaker and resembled those from the W124 mid-size sedan and the famous 190 lineup. From the profile, the SL showed its raked windshield and short cabin. Moreover, Mercedes-Benz's design team managed to completely hide the retractable roof between the seats and the short trunk lid.

With a cabin designed just for two, the SL provided a sportscar seating experience due to the low-mounted seats separated by a tall center console. In front of the driver, the carmaker placed an angular-shaped instrument cluster with enough dials and gauges inside the panel to cover all important areas.

Under the hood, the SL offered a wide engine choice starting with a fuel-efficient 3.0-liter inline-six and topping off with the impressive 389 hp (394 PS) 6.0-liter V12.

MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129) 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
  4 gasoline engines
  • 300 24V 5MT RWD (231 HP)
  • 300 5MT RWD (190 HP)
  • 500 V8 4AT RWD (326 HP)
  • 600 V12 4AT RWD (394 HP)

MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129)
300 24V 5MT RWD (231 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 300 24V 5MT RWD (231 HP)
Cylinders:L6
Displacement:2960 cm3
Power:170 KW @ 6300 RPM
231 HP @ 6300 RPM
228 BHP @ 6300 RPM
Torque:201 lb-ft @ 4600 RPM
272 Nm @ 4600 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:21.1 gallons (79.9 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:149 mph (240 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):8.4 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):0.29
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3726 lbs (1690 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:4585 lbs (2080 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:15.9 mpg US (14.8 L/100Km)
Highway:26.5 mpg US (8.9 L/100Km)
Combined:21 mpg US (11.2 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:281 g/km

MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129)
300 5MT RWD (190 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 300 5MT RWD (190 HP)
Cylinders:L6
Displacement:2960 cm3
Power:140 KW @ 5700 RPM
190 HP @ 5700 RPM
188 BHP @ 5700 RPM
Torque:192 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM
260 Nm @ 4500 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:21.1 gallons (79.9 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:142 mph (229 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):9.3 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):0.29
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3637 lbs (1650 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:4497 lbs (2040 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:15.7 mpg US (15 L/100Km)
Highway:28.7 mpg US (8.2 L/100Km)
Combined:21.4 mpg US (11 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:276 g/km

MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129)
500 V8 4AT RWD (326 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 500 V8 4AT RWD (326 HP)
Cylinders:V8
Displacement:4973 cm3
Power:240 KW @ 5500 RPM
326 HP @ 5500 RPM
322 BHP @ 5500 RPM
Torque:332 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM
450 Nm @ 4000 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):6.2 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:4-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):0.29
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3902 lbs (1770 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:4762 lbs (2160 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:14.7 mpg US (16 L/100Km)
Highway:24.5 mpg US (9.6 L/100Km)
Combined:19 mpg US (12.4 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:294 g/km

MERCEDES BENZ SL/SEL (R129)
600 V12 4AT RWD (394 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 600 V12 4AT 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:4-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)
Cargo Volume:8.9 cuFT (252 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.29
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:4365 lbs (1980 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:5114 lbs (2320 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:11.6 mpg US (20.3 L/100Km)
Highway:20.8 mpg US (11.3 L/100Km)
Combined:15.8 mpg US (14.9 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:354 g/km
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