View source for Mercedes-Benz R230

{{Infobox Automobile generation
| name           = Fifth generation
| image          = [[Image:Mercedes-Benz SL500.jpg|250px|2003-2006 Mercedes-Benz SL 500 (US)]]
| production     = 2003-2008
| wheelbase      = {{auto in|100.8|0}}
| length         = {{auto in|178.5|0}}
| platform       = [[Mercedes-Benz R230]]
| width          = 2005-present: {{auto in|71.5|0}}<BR>2003-04: {{auto in|72.0|0}}
| height         = {{auto in|51.0|0}}
| engine         = 5.5L {{Convert|382|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[V8]]<br>
5.4L {{Convert|510|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[V8]]<br>
5.5L {{Convert|510|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[V12]]<Br>
6.0L {{Convert|604|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[V12]]
| transmission   = 5-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]<Br>7-speed automatic
}}
The [[Mercedes-Benz]] '''R230''' [[automobile]] was introduced in 2001.  It was sold as the [[Mercedes-Benz SL-Class|SL-Class]] [[convertible]], replacing the [[Mercedes-Benz R129|R129]].

==Models==

{| class=wikitable
!Model
!Years
!Engine
!Power
!Torque
|-
|SL350||2003&ndash;2005||3.7&nbsp;L ''[[Mercedes-Benz M112 engine|M112]]'' [[V6]]||245 PS <small>180kW</small>||350&nbsp;N·m
|-
|SL350||2006&ndash;||3.5&nbsp;L ''[[Mercedes-Benz M112 engine|M112]]'' [[V6]]||280 PS <small>200kW</small>||350&nbsp;N·m
|-
|rowspan=2|SL500<br>SL550||2002&ndash;2006||5.0&nbsp;L ''[[Mercedes-Benz M113 engine|M113]]'' [[V8]]||306 PS <small>225kW</small>||460&nbsp;N·m <small>339&nbsp;ft·lbf<small>
|-
|2007&ndash;||5.5&nbsp;L ''[[Mercedes-Benz M273 engine|M273]]'' [[V8]]||388 PS <small>285kW</small>||530&nbsp;N·m <small>391&nbsp;ft·lbf<small>
|-
|rowspan=2|SL600||2003&ndash;2006||rowspan=2|5.5&nbsp;L ''[[Mercedes-Benz M275 engine|M275]]'' [[V12]]||500 PS <small>368kW</small>||800&nbsp;N·m <small>590&nbsp;ft·lbf<small>
|-
|2007&ndash;||517 PS <small>380kW</small>||830&nbsp;N·m <small>612&nbsp;ft·lbf<small>
|-
|rowspan=3|SL55 AMG||2002&ndash;2003||rowspan=3|5.4&nbsp;L ''[[Mercedes-Benz M113 engine|M113]]'' [[V8]]||476 PS <small>350kW</small>||700&nbsp;N·m
|-
|2003&ndash;2006||500 PS <small>368kW</small>||700&nbsp;N·m
|-
|2007&ndash;Mid 2008||517 PS <small>380kW</small>||720&nbsp;N·m <small>531&nbsp;ft·lbf<small>
|-
|rowspan=1|SL63 AMG||2008&ndash;||rowspan=1|6.2&nbsp;L ''[[Mercedes-Benz M156 engine|M156]]'' [[V8]]||525 PS <small>385kW</small>||630 Nm <small>460&nbsp;ft·lbf<small>
|-
|rowspan=2|SL65 AMG||2004&ndash;||rowspan=2|6.0&nbsp;L ''[[Mercedes-Benz M275 engine|M275]]'' [[V12]]||612 PS <small>450kW</small>||1000 Nm <small>738&nbsp;ft·lbf<small>
|}

==SL500==

The '''SL500''' was the top-selling version of the SL-Class early in the R230 series.  It used a 5.0&nbsp;L 24-valve V8 engine, which produced {{convert|306|hp|abbr=on}} and {{convert|339|ft.lbf|N.m|abbr=on}}.

A 5.5&nbsp;L 32-valve DOHC V8 engine replaced the 5.0&nbsp;L found in the SL500 for 2007. The 5.5 litre naturally aspirated V8 can also be found in the new E550 and S550. This model will retain the SL500 name in most markets, but will be sold as the '''SL550''' in North America.  It now produces {{convert|382|hp|abbr=on}} and {{convert|391|ft.lbf|N.m|abbr=on}}. It now accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds and has a limited top speed of {{convert|155|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. 

In 2007, Mercedes will create 75 limited-edition '''50th Anniversary''' SL550s.  [http://www.mbusa.com/models/special-edition/2007/SL550/index.do]  According to [http://www.nctd.com/review-intro.cfm?Vehicle=2007_Mercedes-Benz_SL-Class&ReviewID=1924 another article], Mercedes created 550 of these cars, all pewter in colour with burgundy leather, black ash wood trim, 18-inch double five-spoked wheels, and matching 50th Anniversary Edition luggage.

==SL600==

The '''SL600''' is the highest-output version of the non-AMG SL-Class models.  It uses a V12 engine which produced {{convert|493|hp|abbr=on}} and {{convert|590|ft.lbf|N.m|abbr=on}} from 2003 through 2006 and was uprated to {{convert|510|hp|abbr=on}} and {{convert|612|ft.lbf|N.m|abbr=on}} for 2007. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds, according to Mercedes-Benz. However ''[http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroadtests/7782/mercedes-benz-sl600-page2.html Car and Driver]'' achieved extremely impressive acceleration test figures with {{convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} achieved in just 3.6 seconds, {{convert|100|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in 8.6 seconds and a Quarter Mile run in 11.9 seconds at {{convert|120|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}.

==SL55 AMG==

The '''SL55 AMG''' version was released in 2002 with a supercharged 5.4 Litre, 5439 cc Mercedes-AMG V8 engine. This produced {{convert|493|hp|abbr=on}} at 6,100 rpm and can propel the car to {{convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in 4.7 seconds, according to Mercedes-Benz. ''[http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2485/mercedes-benz-sl55-amg.html Car and Driver]'' got 60 and {{convert|100|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in 4.5 seconds and 10.9 seconds, respectively. The car completed the Quarter Mile in 13 seconds flat at {{convert|110|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}.

The SL55 AMG was updated for 2007 with a {{convert|510|hp|abbr=on}}, {{convert|531|ft.lbf|N.m|abbr=on}} version of the same engine. With increased power and torque, the car can now, according to the [http://www.mbusa.com/models/features/specs/performance.do?modelCode=SL55&class=08_SL official website], accelerate to {{convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in 4.4 seconds, 0.3 seconds quicker than before. The new model has only slight visual differentiators, the most noticeable is the three-slat grille rather than the four-slat version used previously. The top speed is limited to {{convert|155|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, but can be extended to {{convert|186|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} for an additional cost.[http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060224/FREE/60222003/1024/LATESTNEWS] The 6.3 litre V8 is expected to replace the current engine for the 2009 model year. Upon release in 2002 this was for it's time the fastest automatic car in the world. Of course this was before the SLR Mclaren hit the market in 2003-present.

==SL65 AMG==
[[Image:2008 Mercedes-Benz R230 SL65 AMG 01.JPG|thumb|SL65 AMG]]
The '''SL65 AMG''' version offers {{convert|604|hp|abbr=on}} from its twin-turbocharged 6.0 liter, 5,980 cc V12 engine at 5500 rpm. It retailed for $179,720 as of 2005. Mercedes-Benz listed a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds on their [http://www.mbusa.com/models/features/specs/performance.do?modelCode=SL65&class=08_SL official website], though several road tests show that it actually takes under 4 seconds to reach {{convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. ''[http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroadtests/8893/short-take-review-2005-mercedes-benz-sl65-amg-page2.html Car and Driver]'' achieved {{convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} from a standstill in 3.8 seconds, {{convert|100|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in 8.2 seconds and recorded a Quarter Mile-time of 11.9 seconds at {{convert|123|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}.

Black Series version was unveiled in Monterey in 2008.<ref>[http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/shnell-mercedes-benz-sl65-amg-black-series-previewed/ Monterey 2008: SL65 AMG Black Series in the flesh!]</ref> The engine is rated {{convert|670|hp|abbr=on}}.

==Facelift==
[[Image:Mercedes SL II.Facelift front.jpg|thumb|left|Facelift]]
[[Image:Mercedes SL II.Facelift rear.jpg|thumb|Facelift]]
The SL receives a face lift in 2008 featuring a new front end that evokes the classic [[300SL]] with a large grille featuring a prominent 3-pointed star and twin "power domes" on the hood, the car also features new headlights with an optional "Intelligent Light System" and a new speed sensitive steering system. A more significant option will be the addition of a new entry-level model, the SL280 with a {{convert|228|hp|abbr=on}} V6. Another breakthrough for the facelift SL is a new 3.5 litre high-revving V6 with an {{convert|316|hp|abbr=on}} and {{convert|360|Nm|lb·ft|abbr=on}} torque in the SL350, an improvement of {{convert|44|hp|abbr=on}} and {{convert|10|Nm|lb·ft|abbr=on}} over the outgoing model. Also the outgoing SL55 AMG will be replaced by the newer M156 6.2 litre SL63 AMG. This has the new AMG developed  7-speed MCT "'''M'''ulti '''C'''lutch '''T'''echnology" semi-automatic transmission. This uses a twin clutch design, a first for Mercedes and AMG. It features a compact, wet start-up clutch and double declutching. it's fitted with four drive modes: “C” (Comfort), “S” (Sport), “S+” (Sport plus) and “M” (Manual) and boasts 100 millisecond shifts in "M" mode. The face lifted SL will be debuted at the [[Geneva Auto Show]].<ref>[http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/230424/ Autocar - Revealed: New Mercedes SL]</ref>

<gallery>
<img>http://www.mbusa.com/media/images/main/models/SL63_main.jpg</img>|The 2009 SL63 AMG is draped with aerodynamics and attitude in its aggressive new front bumper.
</gallery>

==References==
<references />
* {{cite web|url=http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060224/FREE/60222003/1024/LATESTNEWS|title=More Muscle: The big changes come under the hood for the new SL55 AMG|work=[[AutoWeek]]|accessdate=February 27|accessyear=2006}}
* {{cite web|url=http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060224/FREE/60222002/1024/LATESTNEWS|title=A Visceral Difference: SL upgrade focuses on performance|work=[[AutoWeek]]|accessdate=February 27|accessyear=2006}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/230424/|title= Revealed: New Mercedes SL|work=[[Autocar]]|accessdate=January 23|accessyear=2008}}

==External links==
*[http://www.mbusa.com/models/class-overview.do?modelCode=sl_class_main SL-Class on Mercedes-Benz website]
*[http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/MercedesSL500/Photos.htm SL 500 Gallery] - FamilyCar.com

{{Mercedes-Benz vehicles}}

[[Category:Mercedes-Benz platforms|R230]]