Mercedes-Benz SL
The Mercedes-Benz SL is a series of automobiles and is one of the most famous nameplates in the motor industry. The designation, which means "Sport Light" or in German, "Sport Leicht," first appeared on the 1954 300SL roadster and 'gullwing' models, so nicknamed because of its passenger doors which opened upwards.
The 1989 Mercedes SL wowed the world on its launch, thanks to its exclusivity across the range - even on the base 3.0 litre (SL300) version. But it was SL500 (with a 5.0 litre V8 engine) which made the most headlines. Ride, handling and performance were all superb. Specification was also high - with electric action for the windows, mirrors, seats and hood.
1993 saw the SL get a mild facelift and the SL300 replaced by the SL280 and SL320 (with 2.8 litre and 3.2 litre engines). The SL500 continued with the same impressively powerful engine.
As the new millennium approached, the SL was a decade old and customers were turning to more modern cars like the Jaguar XK8, but there was still no denying its exclusivity. The already impressive equipment list kept getting longer as the years passed, as did the hefty £50,000+ price tag.
In 2001, an all-new SL (initially just a 5.0 litre SL500 version) went on sale, boasting the electric folding steel roof which had been seen on the smaller, cheaper SLK in 1997.
US 2005 SL models
Listing of SL-Class Roadsters offered in the US for the year 2005. Prices are listed in US, 2005 dollars.
- 2005 SL500 Roadster
- driver-adaptive 7-speed automatic transmission with TouchShift control
- aluminum hardtop (Automatic retraction- 16 seconds)
- US$90,620
- 5.0L 24-valve V-8 engine 306 hp @ 5,600 rpm, 0-62mph 6.5 seconds
- 2005 SL55 AMG
- manual shift buttons
- Sensotronic brakes with 8-piston front calipers
- AMG Active Body Control suspension.
- US$122,220
- AMG supercharged 5543cc 24-valve V-8 engine 476 hp @ 6,100 rpm, 0-62mph 4.7 seconds
- 2005 SL600 Roadster
- Active Body Control suspension
- Sensotronic Brake Control with enlarged front and rear disks.
- Heated and ventilated multicontour seats
- US$128,220
- Twin turbocharged 5513cc 36-valve V-12 engine 500 hp @ 5,000 rpm, 0-62mph 4.7 seconds
- 2005 SL65 AMG
- 5-speed automatic transmission with AMG SpeedShift programming
- AMG 8-piston composite calipers brakes
- 19" dual spoke AMG wheels
- US$179,720
- AMG-built twin-turbocharged 5,980-cc SOHC 36-valve V-12 engine 612 hp @ 5500 rpm
Note: In the E.U. there is also another model.
- 2005 SL350
- 3.7 litre (3724cc) 18-valve V-6 245 hp @ 5,000 rpm 0-62mph 7.2 seconds
See also
