Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230) photos

2001 — 2011 · convertible

172

photos

specifications

228–661

3.8 s

best 0–100

Photos

172

Mercedes-Benz SL V (R230), roadster, black, front three-quarter view — photo 90291

2004-08 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

2004-08 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

2004-08 A dark-colored two-door sports car with a hardtop moving on an asphalt road with motion blur against a green lawn and trees.

2004-08

2004-08

2004-08

SL550 Night Edition (2011)

SL550 Night Edition (2011)

SL550 Night Edition (2011)

SL550 Night Edition (2011)

SL550 Night Edition (2011)

SL550 Night Edition (2011)

SL550 Night Edition (2011)

SL550 Night Edition (2011)

SL550 Night Edition (2011)

« Previous
Next »

About this generation

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

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.

Specifications

16 in 2 body styles

Roadster R230 15 specifications

4535 mm178.5 in

Length

1815 mm71.5 in

Width

1298 mm51.1 in

Height

2560 mm100.8 in

Wheelbase

235 l8.3 cu ft

Trunk

Petrol

SL 280

228hp(170 kW)

3.0 l 7-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.8 s

2008–2009

Torque: 300 Nm (221 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 2996 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M272.949
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1815 kg (4001 lb)
Fuel tank: 80 l (21.1 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 9.4 l/100 km (25 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 224 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 4

SL 300

228hp(170 kW)

3.0 l 7-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.8 s

2009–2011

Torque: 300 Nm (221 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 2996 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M272.949
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1815 kg (4001 lb)
Fuel tank: 80 l (21.1 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 9.3 l/100 km (25 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 217 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 5

SL 350

241hp(180 kW)

3.7 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.2 s

2003–2006

Torque: 350 Nm (258 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 3724 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M112.973
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1755 kg (3869 lb)
Fuel tank: 80 l (21.1 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 11.5 l/100 km (20 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 276 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 4

SL 350

268hp(200 kW)

3.5 l 7-speed automatic RWD 0–100 6.6 s

2006–2008

Torque: 350 Nm (258 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 3498 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M272.966
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1825 kg (4023 lb)
Fuel tank: 80 l (21.1 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 10.3 l/100 km (23 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 246 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 4

SL 500

302hp(225 kW)

5.0 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 6.3 s

2001–2003

Torque: 460 Nm (339 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 4966 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M113.963
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1845 kg (4068 lb)
Fuel tank: 80 l (21.1 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 12.7 l/100 km (19 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 304 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 4

SL 500

302hp(225 kW)

5.0 l 7-speed automatic RWD 0–100 6.2 s

2003–2006

Torque: 460 Nm (339 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 4966 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M113.963
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1845 kg (4068 lb)
Fuel tank: 80 l (21.1 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 12.1 l/100 km (19 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 289 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 4

SL 350

311hp(232 kW)

3.5 l 7-speed automatic RWD 0–100 6.2 s

2008–2011

Torque: 360 Nm (266 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 3498 cc
Cylinders: 6
Engine: M272.968
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1825 kg (4023 lb)
Fuel tank: 80 l (21.1 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 9.9 l/100 km (24 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 236 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 4

SL 500

382hp(285 kW)

5.5 l 7-speed automatic RWD 0–100 5.4 s

2006–2011

Torque: 530 Nm (391 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 5461 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M273.965
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1910 kg (4211 lb)
Fuel tank: 80 l (21.1 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 11.9 l/100 km (20 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 284 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 4

SL 55 AMG

469hp(350 kW)

5.4 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 4.7 s

2001–2002

Torque: 700 Nm (516 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 5439 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M113.992
Aspiration: supercharged
Curb weight: 1955 kg (4310 lb)
Fuel tank: 80 l (21.1 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 14.2 l/100 km (17 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 340 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 4

SL 55 AMG

493hp(368 kW)

5.4 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 4.7 s

2002–2006

Torque: 700 Nm (516 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 5439 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M113.992
Aspiration: supercharged
Curb weight: 1960 kg (4321 lb)
Fuel tank: 80 l (21.1 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 14.2 l/100 km (17 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 340 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 4

SL 600

493hp(368 kW)

5.5 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 4.7 s

2003–2006

Torque: 800 Nm (590 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 5513 cc
Cylinders: 12
Engine: M275.951
Aspiration: twin-turbo
Curb weight: 2025 kg (4464 lb)
Fuel tank: 80 l (21.1 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 14.4 l/100 km (16 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 345 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 4

SL 55 AMG

510hp(380 kW)

5.4 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 4.5 s

2006–2008

Torque: 720 Nm (531 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 5439 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M113.992
Aspiration: supercharged
Curb weight: 1960 kg (4321 lb)
Fuel tank: 80 l (21.1 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 13.5 l/100 km (17 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 324 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 4

SL 600

510hp(380 kW)

5.5 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 4.5 s

2006–2011

Torque: 830 Nm (612 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 5513 cc
Cylinders: 12
Engine: M275.954
Aspiration: twin-turbo
Curb weight: 2045 kg (4508 lb)
Fuel tank: 80 l (21.1 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 14.3 l/100 km (16 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 340 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 4

SL 63 AMG

518hp(386 kW)

6.2 l automated manual RWD 0–100 4.6 s

2008–2011

Torque: 630 Nm (465 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 6208 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M156.984
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1970 kg (4343 lb)
Fuel tank: 80 l (21.1 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 13.9 l/100 km (17 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 330 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 4

SL 65 AMG

603hp(450 kW)

6.0 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 4.2 s

2004–2011

Torque: 1000 Nm (738 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 5980 cc
Cylinders: 12
Engine: M275.981
Aspiration: twin-turbo
Curb weight: 2110 kg (4652 lb)
Fuel tank: 80 l (21.1 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 15.1 l/100 km (16 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 362 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 4

Tap a card to see all specs

Coupe C230 1 specification

4589 mm180.7 in

Length

1960 mm77.2 in

Width

1286 mm50.6 in

Height

2560 mm100.8 in

Wheelbase

Petrol

SL 65 AMG Black Series

661hp(493 kW)

6.0 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 3.8 s

Torque: 1000 Nm (738 lb-ft)
Top speed: 320 km/h (199 mph)
Displacement: 5980 cc
Cylinders: 12
Engine: M275.983
Aspiration: twin-turbo
Curb weight: 1870 kg (4123 lb)
Fuel tank: 88 l (23.2 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 14.4 l/100 km (16 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 344 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 4

Tap a card to see all specs

News

Mercedes-Benz news

All Mercedes-Benz news

Mercedes-Benz Opens US Orders for 2027 G 580 Electric with Native NACS Port

Mercedes-Benz has opened US order books for the updated 2027 G 580 Electric, priced from $165,200 with destination included. The electric SUV features native NACS and J1772 charging ports for direct Supercharger access, a reduced 10-to-80-percent DC charging time of 29 minutes, and an increased EPA range of 249 miles.

30.Sep.2026

Mercedes-AMG electric GT SUV will debut on October 17, 2026

Mercedes-AMG is scheduled to unveil its first independently developed electric GT SUV on October 17, 2026, during The 140 Festival in Stuttgart. Built on the dedicated AMG.EA platform with YASA axial-flux electric motors, the high-performance model is slated to begin customer deliveries in early 2027.

17.Sep.2026

Ultra-Rare Mercedes G-Class With AMG V8 Power Fetches $143,000 at Auction

Only 446 examples of the 1993 500 GE V8 AMG were made, and this one stands out even more thanks to its special paint, 15,072 miles, and royal provenance.

27.Jul.2026

2027 Mercedes-Benz EQS Unveiled: Classic Look Meets Advanced EV Technology

The refreshed electric sedan will arrive in U.S. showrooms in late 2026, featuring significant technical improvements.

14.Apr.2026