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  4. V (R230)

Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230) gallery (2001–2011)

The fifth-generation SL R230 was built from 2001 to 2011, introducing the retractable hardtop Vario-Roof mechanism.

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 V (R230), roadster, black, front three-quarter view — photo 90291 2048 x 1536 29 2004-08
roadster A black two-door sports car with twin round headlights and low stance parked on tarmac against a background of green trees, showing beige leather seats through the windshield.
Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230), roadster, black, front three-quarter view — photo 90290 2048 x 1536 20 2004-08
roadster A black two-seater open-top sports roadster with a tan leather interior, captured from a low front three-quarter angle in front of a light-colored hangar building.
Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230), roadster, black, rear three-quarter view — photo 90289 2048 x 1536 21 2004-08
roadster A dark-colored two-door sports car with a hardtop moving on an asphalt road with motion blur against a green lawn and trees.
Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230) photo 90288 2048 x 1536 21 2004-08
Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230) photo 90287 2048 x 1536 16 2004-08
Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230) photo 90286 2048 x 1536 14 2004-08
Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230) photo 79695 1600 x 1200 40 SL550 Night Edition (2011)
Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230) photo 79693 1600 x 1200 34 SL550 Night Edition (2011)
Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230) photo 79692 1600 x 1200 45 SL550 Night Edition (2011)
Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230) photo 79690 1600 x 1200 30 SL550 Night Edition (2011)
Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230) photo 79689 1600 x 1200 36 SL550 Night Edition (2011)
Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230) photo 79687 1600 x 1200 38 SL550 Night Edition (2011)
Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230) photo 79686 1600 x 1200 28 SL550 Night Edition (2011)
Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230) photo 79684 1600 x 1200 29 SL550 Night Edition (2011)
Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230) photo 79683 1600 x 1200 22 SL550 Night Edition (2011)

The fifth generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL (R230) was produced between 2001 and 2011. The hallmark of the R230 was its retractable hardtop Vario-Roof, which could transform the vehicle from an open roadster to a quiet coupe in 16 seconds at the touch of a button. Chassis technology included Active Body Control (ABC) hydraulic active suspension and Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) electro-hydraulic brakes.

Engine offerings included 3.7L V6 engines in the SL 350, 5.0L V8s in the SL 500, and a twin-turbo 5.5L V12 in the SL 600. AMG developed the supercharged 5.4L V8 SL 55 AMG (up to 517 hp) and the twin-turbo V12 SL 65 AMG delivering 612 hp and 1000 Nm of torque. The R230 underwent two major facelifts: one in 2006 and a comprehensive front-end redesign in 2008 featuring aggressive single-slat grilles and angular headlights. The line culminated in the fixed-roof carbon-fiber-bodied SL 65 AMG Black Series.