1. Photos
  2. Mercedes-Benz
  3. Mercedes-Benz SL
  4. IV (R129)

Mercedes-Benz SL IV (R129) gallery (1989–2001)

The technologically advanced fourth-generation R129 roadster was manufactured from 1989 to 2001, introducing pop-up rollbar safety.

All photos 678 I (W198/W121) 69 1954–1963 II (W113) 12 1963–1971 III (R107) 4 1971–1989 IV (R129) 2 1989–2001 V (R230) 172 2001–2011 VI (R231) 275 2012–2020 VII (R232) 92 2021
mercedes-benz sl pic #4419 800 x 600 98 SL-Class W129
mercedes-benz sl pic #4404 800 x 600 108 SL500

The fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz SL (R129) debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1989. Styled under Bruno Sacco, the wedge-shaped roadster was based on a modified short-wheelbase W124 chassis. The R129 was a milestone in automotive safety and luxury, debuting an automatically deploying sensor-controlled rollbar that popped up in 0.3 seconds during a rollover risk, as well as a fully automatic electro-hydraulic soft top and a lightweight aluminum hardtop.

Engines ranged from 3.0L and 3.2L inline-sixes to 5.0-liter V8s (500 SL) and the flagship 600 SL featuring a 6.0-liter V12 producing 394 hp. Mechanical revisions in 1995 and 1998 introduced new modular V6 and V8 engines (M112 and M113 families) and 5-speed electronic automatic transmissions. High-end AMG variants included the SL 60 AMG, SL 70 AMG, and the rare SL 73 AMG with a 7.3-liter V12 engine that later powered the Pagani Zonda hypercar.