Mercedes-Benz SL: generations and engines
The Mercedes-Benz SL has been built since 1954 in 13 generations, with 71 engine versions in our catalog (coupe, roadster). Pick a generation to see its engines, horsepower and fuel economy.
EnlargeProduction years1954–present
Generations13
Engine versions71
Power105–670 hp
Body stylesCoupe, Roadster
FuelGasoline
Timeline
Mercedes-Benz SL generations
- 1954–1957
Mercedes-Benz SL Coupe (W198)
Engines below - 1955–1963
Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster (W121)
Engines below - 1957–1963
Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster (W198 II)
Engines below - 1963–1971
- 1989–1995
- 1995–1998
Mercedes-Benz SL (R129, facelift 1995)
Engines below - 1998–2001
- 2001–2006
- 2006–2008
Mercedes-Benz SL (R230, facelift 2006)
Engines below - 2008–2011
Mercedes-Benz SL (R230, facelift 2008)
Engines below - 2008–2009
Mercedes-Benz SL Coupe (R230, facelift 2008)
Engines below - 2012–2015
Mercedes-Benz SL (R231)
Engines below - 2016–present
Specs
Mercedes-Benz SL engines
The manufacturer's figures for each engine version: horsepower, torque, 0–62 mph, top speed and combined fuel economy.
Mercedes-Benz SL Coupe (W198)1954–1957 · 1 engine version
| Engine | Years | Fuel | Power | Torque | 0–62 mph | Top speed | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 SL (215 hp) | 1954–1957 | Gasoline | 215 hp (158 kW) | 203 lb-ft (275 Nm) | 10 s | 162 mph (260 km/h) |
Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster (W121)1955–1963 · 1 engine version
| Engine | Years | Fuel | Power | Torque | 0–62 mph | Top speed | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 190 SL (105 hp) | 1955–1963 | Gasoline | 105 hp (77 kW) | 105 lb-ft (142 Nm) | 107 mph (173 km/h) |
Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster (W198 II)1957–1963 · 1 engine version
| Engine | Years | Fuel | Power | Torque | 0–62 mph | Top speed | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 SL (215 hp) | 1957–1963 | Gasoline | 215 hp (158 kW) | 203 lb-ft (275 Nm) | 10 s | 155 mph (250 km/h) |
Mercedes-Benz SL (R129, facelift 1995)1995–1998 · 8 engine versions
| Engine | Years | Fuel | Power | Torque | 0–62 mph | Top speed | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL 280 (193 hp) | 1995–1998 | Gasoline | 193 hp (142 kW) | 199 lb-ft (270 Nm) | 10.2 s | 143 mph (230 km/h) | |
| SL 280 (193 hp) 4 Automatic | 1995–1998 | Gasoline | 193 hp (142 kW) | 199 lb-ft (270 Nm) | 9.9 s | 140 mph (225 km/h) | |
| SL 280 (193 hp) 5 Automatic | 1995–1996 | Gasoline | 193 hp (142 kW) | 199 lb-ft (270 Nm) | 9.9 s | 140 mph (225 km/h) | |
| SL 320 (231 hp) Automatic | 1995–1998 | Gasoline | 231 hp (170 kW) | 232 lb-ft (315 Nm) | 8.4 s | 149 mph (240 km/h) | |
| SL 500 V8 (320 hp) Automatic | 1995–1998 | Gasoline | 320 hp (235 kW) | 347 lb-ft (470 Nm) | 6.5 s | 155 mph (250 km/h, Electronically limited) | |
| SL 600 V12 (394 hp) Automatic | 1995–1998 | Gasoline | 394 hp (290 kW) | 420 lb-ft (570 Nm) | 6.1 s | 155 mph (250 km/h, Electronically limited) | |
| AMG SL 60 V8 (381 hp) Automatic | 1996–1998 | Gasoline | 381 hp (280 kW) | 428 lb-ft (580 Nm) | 5.8 s | 155 mph (250 km/h, Electronically limited) | |
| SL 280 (193 hp) 5 Automatic | 1996–1998 | Gasoline | 193 hp (142 kW) | 199 lb-ft (270 Nm) | 9.9 s | 140 mph (225 km/h) |
Mercedes-Benz SL (R230, facelift 2006)2006–2008 · 5 engine versions
| Engine | Years | Fuel | Power | Torque | 0–62 mph | Top speed | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMG SL 55 V8 (517 hp) Automatic | 2006–2008 | Gasoline | 517 hp (380 kW) | 531 lb-ft (720 Nm) | 4.5 s | 155 mph (250 km/h, Electronically limited) | |
| AMG SL 65 V12 (612 hp) Automatic | 2006–2008 | Gasoline | 612 hp (450 kW) | 738 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) | 4.2 s | 155 mph (250 km/h, Electronically limited) | |
| SL 350 V6 (272 hp) 7G-TRONIC | 2006–2008 | Gasoline | 272 hp (200 kW) | 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) | 6.6 s | 155 mph (250 km/h, Electronically limited) | |
| SL 500 V8 (388 hp) 7G-TRONIC | 2006–2008 | Gasoline | 388 hp (285 kW) | 391 lb-ft (530 Nm) | 5.4 s | 155 mph (250 km/h, Electronically limited) | |
| SL 600 V12 (517 hp) Automatic | 2006–2008 | Gasoline | 517 hp (380 kW) | 612 lb-ft (830 Nm) | 4.5 s | 155 mph (250 km/h, Electronically limited) |
Mercedes-Benz SL (R230, facelift 2008)2008–2011 · 7 engine versions
| Engine | Years | Fuel | Power | Torque | 0–62 mph | Top speed | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMG SL 63 V8 (525 hp) SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7G-TRONIC | 2008–2011 | Gasoline | 525 hp (386 kW) | 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) | 4.6 s | 155 mph (250 km/h, Electronically limited) | |
| AMG SL 65 V12 (612 hp) Automatic | 2008–2010 | Gasoline | 612 hp (450 kW) | 738 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) | 4.2 s | 155 mph (250 km/h, Electronically limited) | |
| SL 280 V6 (231 hp) 7G-TRONIC | 2008–2011 | Gasoline | 231 hp (170 kW) | 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) | 7.8 s | 155 mph (250 km/h, Electronically limited) | |
| SL 350 V6 (316 hp) 7G-TRONIC | 2008–2011 | Gasoline | 316 hp (232 kW) | 266 lb-ft (360 Nm) | 6.2 s | 155 mph (250 km/h, Electronically limited) | |
| SL 500 V8 (388 hp) Automatic | 2008–2011 | Gasoline | 388 hp (285 kW) | 391 lb-ft (530 Nm) | 5.4 s | 155 mph (250 km/h, Electronically limited) | |
| SL 600 V12 (517 hp) Automatic | 2008–2011 | Gasoline | 517 hp (380 kW) | 612 lb-ft (830 Nm) | 4.5 s | 155 mph (250 km/h, Electronically limited) | |
| SL 300 V6 (231 hp) 7G-TRONIC | 2009–2011 | Gasoline | 231 hp (170 kW) | 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) | 7.8 s | 155 mph (250 km/h, Electronically limited) |
Mercedes-Benz SL Coupe (R230, facelift 2008)2008–2009 · 1 engine version
| Engine | Years | Fuel | Power | Torque | 0–62 mph | Top speed | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMG SL 65 Black Series V12 (670 hp) SPEEDSHIFT | 2008–2009 | Gasoline | 670 hp (493 kW) | 738 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) | 3.9 s | 199 mph (320 km/h, Electronically limited) |
Mercedes-Benz SL (R231)2012–2015 · 6 engine versions
| Engine | Years | Fuel | Power | Torque | 0–62 mph | Top speed | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMG SL 63 (537 hp) SPEEDSHIFT | 2012–2015 | Gasoline | 537 hp (395 kW) | 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) | 4.3 s | 155 mph (250 km/h) | |
| AMG SL 65 (630 hp) SPEEDSHIFT | 2012–2015 | Gasoline | 630 hp (463 kW) | 738 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) | 4 s | 155 mph (250 km/h) | |
| SL 350 (306 hp) G-TRONIC | 2012–2015 | Gasoline | 306 hp (225 kW) | 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) | 5.9 s | 155 mph (250 km/h) | |
| SL 500 (435 hp) G-TRONIC | 2012–2015 | Gasoline | 435 hp (320 kW) | 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) | 4.6 s | 155 mph (250 km/h) | |
| AMG SL 63 (585 hp) MCT | 2014–2015 | Gasoline | 585 hp (430 kW) | 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) | 4.2 s | 155 mph (250 km/h) | |
| SL 400 (333 hp) G-TRONIC | 2014–2015 | Gasoline | 333 hp (245 kW) | 354 lb-ft (480 Nm) | 5.2 s | 155 mph (250 km/h) |
Before you buy
Check a used Mercedes-Benz SL
- Real mileage – service and inspection readings show if the odometer was rolled back.
- Accidents and title brands – damage records, salvage, flood or rebuilt titles.
- Old photos – how the car looked in earlier listings.
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