Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R231)
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R231 is a chassis code for the sixth generation of the
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (marketed as Mercedes-AMG SL-Class (R232), Mercedes-AMG SL since 2022) is a grand touring sports car manufactured by Mercedes-Benz since 1954. The designation "''SL"'' derives from the German language, German term "''Sp ...
roadster, replacing the
R230 The R230 generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class was introduced at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show and 2001 Bologna Motor Show, replacing the R129. The R230 underwent revisions in 2006 and 2008, and was superseded by the new SL-Class R231 in 201 ...
. The car was released in March 2012 and uses Mercedes-Benz's new 4.7 litre twin turbo
V8 engine A V8 engine is an eight- cylinder piston engine in which two banks of four cylinders share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V configuration. Origins The first known V8 was the Antoinette, designed by Léon Levavasseur, a ...
with a power output of .
AMG AMG may refer to: Automobiles * AB Motorfabriken i Göteborg, a former Swedish automobile manufacturer * Mercedes-AMG, a division of Mercedes-Benz * AM General, an American heavy vehicle and contract automotive manufacturer Mathematics and sci ...
version of the roadster will follow. The new SL is lighter than the previous, being made almost entirely out of aluminium. For the first time, the R231 SL-Class was not available with a non-AMG V12 engined SL 600 model.


Design

The R231 is designed with an aluminium space-frame, in length by in width. (. wider/longer than previous generation). Engineers at Mercedes have also installed a new folding hardtop roof with a panoramic sunroof that will have as an option, variable tint. The design process began in 2007, with a final design by Frank Pfisterer and Mark Fetherston being chosen, delayed for over 2 years, and then approved for production in early 2010. Design patents were filed on 5 August 2009 using a CAD file and in German patents in April 2010 using a prototype. Changes from last generation include all-aluminium body, MAGIC VISION CONTROL windscreen wipe/wash system, FrontBass footwell bass loudspeakers, HANDS-FREE ACCESS boot lid opening system via foot movement around rear bumper.


Equipment

*
Active Body Control Active Body Control, or ABC, is the Mercedes-Benz brand name used to describe electronically controlled hydropneumatic suspension. This suspension improves ride quality and allows for control of the vehicle body motions, allowing for reduced b ...
fully
active suspension An active suspension is a type of Suspension (vehicle), automotive suspension that uses an onboard control system to control the vertical movement of the vehicle's wheels and axles relative to the chassis or vehicle frame, rather than the conventi ...
(optional) or standard semi-active suspension with adaptive damping system * Torque Vectoring Brake * MAGIC VISION CONTROL wiper blades * MAGIC SKY CONTROL glass roof with selectable transparency *
Traffic Sign Assist Traffic-sign recognition (TSR) is a technology by which a vehicle is able to recognize the traffic signs put on the road e.g. "speed limit" or "children" or "turn ahead". This is part of the features collectively called ADAS. The technology is ...
with Speed Limit Assist and
wrong-way driving warning A wrong-way driver warning is an advanced driver-assistance system introduced in 2010 to prevent wrong-way driving. In the case of signs imposing access restrictions, through the wrong-way driver warning function an acoustic warning is emitted toge ...
function * COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST (as standard) *
ATTENTION ASSIST Driver drowsiness detection (also known as "driver alertness monitoring") is a car safety technology which helps prevent accidents caused by the driver getting drowsy. Various studies have suggested that around 20% of all road accidents are fatigue ...
(as standard) * ADAPTIVE BRAKE (as standard) *
DISTRONIC PLUS Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is a type of advanced driver-assistance system for road vehicles that automatically adjusts the vehicle speed to maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead. As of 2019, it is also called by 20 unique names that d ...
*
Brake Assist Brake assist (BA or BAS) or emergency brake assist (EBA) is a term for an automobile braking technology that increases braking pressure in an emergency. The first application was developed jointly by Daimler-Benz and TRW/ LucasVarity. Research c ...
system
BAS PLUS A collision avoidance system (CAS), also known as a pre-crash system, forward collision warning system (FCW), or collision mitigation system, is an advanced driver-assistance system designed to prevent or reduce the severity of a collision. In ...
* NECK-PRO crash-responsive
head restraint Head restraints (also called headrests) are an automotive safety feature, attached or integrated into the top of each car seat, seat to limit the rearward movement of the adult occupant's head, relative to the torso, in a Traffic collision, col ...
s *
PRE-SAFE A collision avoidance system (CAS), also known as a pre-crash system, forward collision warning system (FCW), or collision mitigation system, is an advanced driver-assistance system designed to prevent or reduce the severity of a collision. I ...
, PRE-SAFE Brake, PRE-SAFE PLUS *
Active bonnet In May 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that more than 270,000 pedestrians lose their lives on the world’s roads each year, accounting for 22% of the total 1.24 million road traffic deaths. Despite the magnitude of the problem, ...
* Active Lane Keeping Assist *Full-
LED headlamp A headlamp is a lamp attached to the front of a vehicle to illuminate the road ahead. Headlamps are also often called headlights, but in the most precise usage, ''headlamp'' is the term for the device itself and ''headlight'' is the term for t ...
s with Intelligent Light System and Adaptive Highbeam Assist PLUS * Night View Assist PLUS * Active Parking Assist *
Active Blind Spot Assist The blind spot monitor or blind-spot monitoring is a vehicle-based sensor device that detects other vehicles located to the driver’s side and rear. Warnings can be visual, audible, vibrating, or tactile. Blind spot monitors may do more tha ...
*
Backup camera A backup camera (also called a reversing camera or rear-view camera) is a video camera specifically designed to be attached to the rear of a vehicle to aid in Reversing (vehicle maneuver), reversing and reduce the rear Blind spot (vehicle), blind ...
*
Electric parking brake An electronic parking brake (EPB), also known as an electric parking brake or electric park brake, is an electronically controlled parking brake, whereby the driver activates the holding mechanism with a button and the brake pads are electrically ...
with emergency braking function * Direct-Steer Electromechanical steering with Steer Assist electromechanical steering power assistance


Models


SL Edition 1 (2012)

'Edition 1' is a time-limited version of SL-Class vehicle with a panoramic vario-roof, AMG bodystyling, sports suspension, AMG 19-inch light-alloy wheels, designo Nappa leather with contrasting topstitching, AIRSCARF, heated seats, electric draught-stop, ambient lighting, Harman/Kardon Logic7 surround sound system, excluding designo crystal silver magno body colour option, trim in wave or deep white aluminium. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, followed by the
2012 Geneva Motor Show 1 (one, unit, unity) is a number, Numeral (linguistics), numeral, and glyph. It is the first and smallest Positive number, positive integer of the infinite sequence of natural numbers. This fundamental property has led to its unique uses in o ...
. The vehicle was available from Mercedes-Benz sales partners from 31 March 2012. Early models include SL 350 BlueEFFICIENCY, SL 500.


SL 63 AMG (2012–2019)

It includes a 5.5-litre V8 'biturbo' (twin-turbocharged) engine rated at at 5500 rpm and at 2000–4500 rpm, AMG sports suspension, AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed automatic transmission, five-twin-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels in titanium grey with a high-sheen finish with 255/35 R 19 front and 285/30 R 19 rear tyres, front apron with large air dams, AMG-specific LED daytime running lamps and a lower cross strut in silver chrome, AMG radiator grille with a double louvre in silver chrome, optional MAGIC SKY CONTROL Vario-roof, AMG sports seats in single-tone or two-tone Nappa leather with a unique V8 seat upholstery layout and AMG badges in the seat backrests, a multicontour function and seat heating; AMG carbon-fibre trim, AMG illuminated door sill panels, ambient lighting and an IWC-design analogue clock. The AMG Performance Package includes increasing engine power to at 5500 rpm and at 2250–3750 rpm, raising top speed to , carbon fibre AMG engine cover and AMG spoiler lip, AMG rear axle differential lock, red-painted callipers and an AMG performance steering wheel in Nappa leather/DINAMICA. Edition 1 model includes AIRSCARF neck-level heating, AMG forged light-alloy wheels (painted matt black, rim flange with a high-sheen finish), AMG Performance package, designo Exclusive leather in classic red or deep white with contrasting topstitching, designo headliner in black leather, Harman/Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system, MAGIC SKY CONTROL panoramic vario-roof. The European model went on sale in May 2012 for €157,675, €189,269.50 for Edition 1 car, €14,280 for AMG Performance package (incl. 19% VAT). The vehicle was unveiled at the
2012 Geneva Motor Show 1 (one, unit, unity) is a number, Numeral (linguistics), numeral, and glyph. It is the first and smallest Positive number, positive integer of the infinite sequence of natural numbers. This fundamental property has led to its unique uses in o ...
.


SL 65 AMG (2012–2018)

The vehicle includes a bi-turbo
V12 engine A V12 engine is a twelve-Cylinder (engine), cylinder Internal combustion engine#Reciprocating engines, piston engine where two banks of six cylinders are arranged in a V engine, V configuration around a common crankshaft. V12 engines are more c ...
rated at at 4800–5400 rpm and at 2300–4300 rpm, AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, AMG five-spoke light-alloy wheels in titanium grey with a high-sheen finish with 255/35 R 19 front and 285/30 R 19 rear tyres (optional matt black with a high-sheen rim flange wheels), optional MAGIC SKY CONTROL Vario-roof, AMG sports seats with single or two-tone upholstery in Exclusive Nappa leather with a special AMG diamond pattern, AMG carbon-fibre trim elements, the IWC-design analogue clock, the chromed AMG door sill panels illuminated in white, the AMG Performance steering wheel, speedometer, AMG start-up display with an exclusive AMG V12 BITURBO animation. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2012
New York International Auto Show The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show that is held in Manhattan, New York City in late March or early April. It is held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes ...
. The German model went on sale in September 2012 for €236,334 (incl. 19% VAT). Japan model went on sale on 2012-08-29.


SL 65 AMG "45th Anniversary" (2012)

It is a limited (45 units, 5 in Japan) version of the SL 65 AMG commemorating the 45th anniversary of the AMG brand. It included designo magno graphite (grey) body colour, "twin-blade" radiator grille with blade-like slats, the surround for the AMG-specific LED daytime driving lights, fins on the wings and the hood, Exterior Carbon-Fibre package, AMG sports exhaust system (black with chrome plating twin tailpipe, high-gloss chrome inner insert), AMG Performance Studio multi-spoke forged wheels painted in titanium grey with high-sheen rim flange and matt finish, 255/35 R 19 front and 285/30 R 20 rear tires, designo Exclusive STYLE leather upholstery in grey pearl/ginger beige, AMG Performance steering wheel, matt carbon fibre interior trim. The vehicle went on sale in September 2012. Japan models went on sale on 2012-08-29.


Facelift (2017)

A mid-cycle facelift was introduced in 2016 for the 2017 model year. Launched early 2016 in California, the revised SL 400 (renamed SL 450 in the US) featured a 3-litre biturbo V6 mated, for the first time in the SL, to Mercedes' own 9G-Tronic PLUS 9-speed automatic transmission. An SL 500 (US SL 550), with a 4.7 litre biturbo V8 producing , was likewise paired with the 9G-tronic PLUS transmission. The Mercedes-AMG SL 63 () and SL 65 () variants continued with virtually unchanged powertrains, paired with AMG's SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission with claimed improved shift times. Cosmetically, every SL received a revised front end, front grille treatment and larger non-functional side 'vents' behind the front wheels. All variants also received adaptive LED front headlights with integrated daytime running lights and turn signals, leaving the below bumper intake area free from lighting. The LED tail lights received single colour red or red and amber lenses instead of the red and white of the pre-facelift models. Front and rear bumper assemblies were redesigned to align more closely with recent models introduced by Mercedes, while selected convenience and driver assistance technologies, introduced earlier on various other Mercedes models, were made optionally available, including revised Active Body Control (ABC), now with the "Curve Tilting" function from the S-Class Coupe. Externally, the SL 63 and SL 65 were distinguishable from the non-AMG variants by embellishments to their bumper assemblies and side sills in gloss black or polished aluminium, respectively. The SL 63 and SL 65 also featured trademark AMG 'twin lamella' front grilles and dual twin tailpipe exhaust trims as well as a carbon fibre composite trunk lid. A slight revision to the folding 'Vario-roof' hardtop operation meant it would continue to deploy at speeds up to once initiated and the luggage compartment partition, required to prevent the hardtop components, when folded, and any luggage compartment contents coming into contact with each other, no longer had to be deployed in a separate manual operation. Interiors continued virtually unchanged for MY2017 with the exception of slightly revised minor switchgear and a redesigned steering wheel.


Engines and transmissions

The SL 500 is badged as SL 550 in U.S, Canada, and Japan. The SL 63 AMG was discontinued from 2019 onwards due to poor sales.


References


Notes


Bibliography

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External links


Mercedes Benz website: New SL
(official website) *Press kit:

:* ttp://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-1440715-1-1440969-1-0-0-0-0-1-11701-854934-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html Mercedes-Benz SL: well thought-out right down to the smallest detail {{Mercedes-Benz timeline 2020 to date R231 R231 Rear-wheel-drive vehicles Cars introduced in 2012 Roadsters 2010s cars