Back to results
Mercedes-Benz SL-Klasse
1971 – 1989
Germany
Mercedes-Benz built the SL-Klasse for 18 years, from 1971 to 1989. Its petrol engines range from 179 to 245 hp across 9 variants. Compared with the previous generation (1963 – 1971), peak power rose from 194 to 245 hp, and minimum weight went up by 205 kg.
Body styleNot specified
Production1971 – 1989
Variants9
FuelPetrol
Key specifications (range)
Power179 – 245 hp
0–100 km/h7.3 – 10.1 s
Top speed200 – 225 km/h
Fuel economy10.9 – 13.1 L/100 km
Rear Wheel Drive
Similar cars
| Variant | Fuel | Power | 0–100 | Top | Gearbox |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 (G-Kat) 5MT RWD (180 HP) 3.0 L · 6 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 179 hp | 9.7 s | 200 | 5-Speed manual |
| 280 5MT RWD (185 HP) 2.7 L · 6 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 185 hp | 10.1 s | 200 | 5-Speed manual |
| 300 5MT RWD (188 HP) 3.0 L · 6 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 188 hp | 9.6 s | 203 | 5-Speed manual |
| 380 4AT RWD (280 HP) 3.8 L · 8 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 204 hp | 9.8 s | 206 | 4-Speed automatic |
| 420 V8 4AT RWD (218 HP) 4.2 L · 8 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 218 hp | 9.0 s | 212 | 4-Speed automatic |
| 450 V8 4AT RWD (220 HP) 4.5 L · 8 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 220 hp | — | — | 4-Speed automatic |
| 500 (G-Kat) V8 4AT RWD (223 HP) 5.0 L · 8 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 223 hp | 7.8 s | 216 | 4-Speed automatic |
| 500 V8 4AT RWD (231 HP) 5.0 L · 8 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 231 hp | 8.1 s | 220 | 4-Speed automatic |
| 500 V8 4AT RWD (245 HP) 5.0 L · 8 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive |
Gasoline | 245 hp | 7.3 s | 225 | 4-Speed automatic |
Engine
- Cylinders
- L6
- Displacement
- 2962 cm3 (181 ci)
- Power
- 132 KW @ 5700 RPM179 HP @ 5700 RPM177 BHP @ 5700 RPM
- Torque
- 188 lb-ft @ 4400 RPM255 Nm @ 4400 RPM
- Fuel System
- Multipoint Injection
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Fuel capacity
- 22.5 gallons (85.2 L)
Performance
- Top Speed
- 124 mph (200 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph)
- 9.7 s
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- 5-Speed manual
Brakes
- Front
- Ventilated Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 205/65VR15
Dimensions
- Length
- 172.8 in (4389 mm)
- Width
- 70.5 in (1791 mm)
- Height
- 51.2 in (1300 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 57.1/56.7 in (1,450/1,440 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 96.9 in (2461 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.7 in (170 mm)
- Cargo Volume
- 9.2 cuFT (261 L)
Weight
- Unladen Weight
- 3306 lbs (1500 kg)
- Gross Weight Limit
- 4232 lbs (1920 kg)
Fuel Economy (nedc)
- Combined
- 21 mpg US (11.2 L/100Km)
- CO2 Emissions
- 267 g/km
Engine
- Cylinders
- L6
- Displacement
- 2746 cm3 (168 ci)
- Power
- 136 KW @ 5800 RPM185 HP @ 5800 RPM182 BHP @ 5800 RPM
- Torque
- 177 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM240 Nm @ 4500 RPM
- Fuel System
- Multipoint Injection
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Fuel capacity
- 22.5 gallons (85.2 L)
Performance
- Top Speed
- 124 mph (200 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph)
- 10.1 s
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- 5-Speed manual
Brakes
- Front
- Ventilated Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 195/70R14
Dimensions
- Length
- 172.8 in (4389 mm)
- Width
- 70.5 in (1791 mm)
- Height
- 51.2 in (1300 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 57.1/56.7 in (1,450/1,440 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 96.9 in (2461 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.7 in (170 mm)
- Cargo Volume
- 9.2 cuFT (261 L)
Weight
- Unladen Weight
- 3306 lbs (1500 kg)
- Gross Weight Limit
- 4232.3 lbs (1920 kg)
Fuel Economy (nedc)
- Combined
- 20.7 mpg US (11.4 L/100Km)
- CO2 Emissions
- 270 g/km
Engine
- Cylinders
- L6
- Displacement
- 2962 cm3 (181 ci)
- Power
- 138 KW @ 5700 RPM188 HP @ 5700 RPM185 BHP @ 5700 RPM
- Torque
- 192 lb-ft @ 4400 RPM260 Nm @ 4400 RPM
- Fuel System
- Multipoint Injection
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Fuel capacity
- 22.5 gallons (85.2 L)
Performance
- Top Speed
- 126 mph (203 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph)
- 9.6 s
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- 5-Speed manual
Brakes
- Front
- Ventilated Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 205/65VR15
Dimensions
- Length
- 172.8 in (4389 mm)
- Width
- 70.5 in (1791 mm)
- Height
- 51.2 in (1300 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 57.1/56.7 in (1,450/1,440 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 96.9 in (2461 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.7 in (170 mm)
- Cargo Volume
- 9.2 cuFT (261 L)
Weight
- Unladen Weight
- 3306 lbs (1500 kg)
- Gross Weight Limit
- 4232 lbs (1920 kg)
Fuel Economy (nedc)
- Combined
- 21.6 mpg US (10.9 L/100Km)
- CO2 Emissions
- 259 g/km
Engine
- Cylinders
- V8
- Displacement
- 3839 cm3 (234 ci)
- Power
- 150 KW @ 5250 RPM204 HP @ 5250 RPM201 BHP @ 5250 RPM
- Torque
- 232 lb-ft @ 3250 RPM315 Nm @ 3250 RPM
- Fuel System
- Multipoint Injection
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Fuel capacity
- 22.5 gallons (85.2 L)
Performance
- Top Speed
- 128 mph (206 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph)
- 9.8 s
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- 4-Speed automatic
Brakes
- Front
- Ventilated Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 205/70R14
Dimensions
- Length
- 172.8 in (4389 mm)
- Width
- 70.5 in (1791 mm)
- Height
- 51.2 in (1300 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 57.1/56.7 in (1,450/1,440 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 96.9 in (2461 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.7 in (170 mm)
- Cargo Volume
- 9.2 cuFT (261 L)
Weight
- Unladen Weight
- 3395 lbs (1540 kg)
- Gross Weight Limit
- 4321 lbs (1960 kg)
Fuel Economy (nedc)
- Combined
- 20.3 mpg US (11.6 L/100Km)
- CO2 Emissions
- 276 g/km
Engine
- Cylinders
- V8
- Displacement
- 4196 cm3 (256 ci)
- Power
- 160 KW @ 5200 RPM218 HP @ 5200 RPM215 BHP @ 5200 RPM
- Torque
- 243 lb-ft @ 3750 RPM330 Nm @ 3750 RPM
- Fuel System
- Multipoint Injection
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Fuel capacity
- 22.5 gallons (85.2 L)
Performance
- Top Speed
- 132 mph (212 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph)
- 9 s
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- 4-Speed automatic
Brakes
- Front
- Ventilated Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 205/65VR15
Dimensions
- Length
- 172.8 in (4389 mm)
- Width
- 70.5 in (1791 mm)
- Height
- 51.2 in (1300 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 57.1/56.7 in (1,450/1,440 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 96.9 in (2461 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.7 in (170 mm)
- Cargo Volume
- 9.2 cuFT (261 L)
Weight
- Unladen Weight
- 3527 lbs (1600 kg)
- Gross Weight Limit
- 4453 lbs (2020 kg)
Fuel Economy (nedc)
- Combined
- 19.8 mpg US (11.9 L/100Km)
- CO2 Emissions
- 283 g/km
Engine
- Cylinders
- V8
- Displacement
- 4520 cm3 (276 ci)
- Power
- 162 KW @ 5000 RPM220 HP @ 5000 RPM217 BHP @ 5000 RPM
- Torque
- 265 lb-ft @ 3250 RPM359 Nm @ 3250 RPM
- Fuel System
- Multipoint Injection
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Fuel capacity
- 22.5 gallons (85.2 L)
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- 4-Speed automatic
Brakes
- Front
- Ventilated Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 205/65VR15
Dimensions
- Length
- 172.8 in (4389 mm)
- Width
- 70.5 in (1791 mm)
- Height
- 51.2 in (1300 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 57.1/56.7 in (1,450/1,440 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 96.9 in (2461 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.7 in (170 mm)
- Cargo Volume
- 9.2 cuFT (261 L)
Engine
- Cylinders
- V8
- Displacement
- 4973 cm3 (303 ci)
- Power
- 164 KW @ 4700 RPM223 HP @ 4700 RPM220 BHP @ 4700 RPM
- Torque
- 269 lb-ft @ 2500 RPM365 Nm @ 2500 RPM
- Fuel System
- Multipoint Injection
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Fuel capacity
- 22.5 gallons (85.2 L)
Performance
- Top Speed
- 134 mph (216 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph)
- 7.8 s
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- 4-Speed automatic
Brakes
- Front
- Ventilated Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 205/65VR15
Dimensions
- Length
- 172.8 in (4389 mm)
- Width
- 70.5 in (1791 mm)
- Height
- 51.2 in (1300 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 57.1/56.7 in (1,450/1,440 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 96.9 in (2461 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.7 in (170 mm)
- Cargo Volume
- 9.2 cuFT (261 L)
Weight
- Unladen Weight
- 3549 lbs (1610 kg)
- Gross Weight Limit
- 4475 lbs (2030 kg)
Fuel Economy (nedc)
- Combined
- 18 mpg US (13.1 L/100Km)
- CO2 Emissions
- 311 g/km
Engine
- Cylinders
- V8
- Displacement
- 4973 cm3 (303 ci)
- Power
- 170 KW @ 4750 RPM231 HP @ 4750 RPM228 BHP @ 4750 RPM
- Torque
- 299 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM405 Nm @ 3000 RPM
- Fuel System
- Multipoint Injection
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Fuel capacity
- 22.5 gallons (85.2 L)
Performance
- Top Speed
- 137 mph (220 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph)
- 8.1 s
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- 4-Speed automatic
Brakes
- Front
- Ventilated Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 205/70R14
Dimensions
- Length
- 172.8 in (4389 mm)
- Width
- 70.5 in (1791 mm)
- Height
- 51.2 in (1300 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 57.1/56.7 in (1,450/1,440 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 96.9 in (2461 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.7 in (170 mm)
- Cargo Volume
- 9.2 cuFT (261 L)
Weight
- Unladen Weight
- 3395 lbs (1540 kg)
- Gross Weight Limit
- 4321 lbs (1960 kg)
Fuel Economy (nedc)
- Combined
- 19.3 mpg US (12.2 L/100Km)
- CO2 Emissions
- 305 g/km
Engine
- Cylinders
- V8
- Displacement
- 4973 cm3 (303 ci)
- Power
- 180 KW @ 4750 RPM245 HP @ 4750 RPM241 BHP @ 4750 RPM
- Torque
- 295 lb-ft @ 3750 RPM400 Nm @ 3750 RPM
- Fuel System
- Multipoint Injection
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Fuel capacity
- 22.5 gallons (85.2 L)
Performance
- Top Speed
- 140 mph (225 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph)
- 7.3 s
Transmission
- Drive Type
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Gearbox
- 4-Speed automatic
Brakes
- Front
- Ventilated Discs
- Rear
- Discs
Tires
- Tire Size
- 205/65VR15
Dimensions
- Length
- 172.8 in (4389 mm)
- Width
- 70.5 in (1791 mm)
- Height
- 51.2 in (1300 mm)
- Front/rear Track
- 57.1/56.7 in (1,450/1,440 mm)
- Wheelbase
- 96.9 in (2461 mm)
- Ground Clearance
- 6.7 in (170 mm)
- Cargo Volume
- 9.2 cuFT (261 L)
Weight
- Unladen Weight
- 3549 lbs (1610 kg)
- Gross Weight Limit
- 4475 lbs (2030 kg)
Fuel Economy (nedc)
- Combined
- 19.1 mpg US (12.3 L/100Km)
- CO2 Emissions
- 293 g/km
Length4,389 mm
Width1,791 mm
Height1,300 mm
Wheelbase2,461 mm
Curb weight1,500 – 1,610 kg
Torque240 – 405 Nm
Ranges across all 9 variants of this generation.
