M110
Inline-6- 110.982 2.7 L · 2,746 cc
185 PS
136 kW · 182 hp à 6,000 tr/min
238 N·m
176 lb·ft à 4,500 tr/min
- 110.986 2.7 L · 2,746 cc
185 PS
136 kW · 182 hp à 5,800 tr/min
240 N·m
177 lb·ft à 4,500 tr/min
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Roadster · 3rd generation SL
R107
One shape, eighteen years, four engines deep.
- Production
- 1971–1989
- Built
- 237,287
- Body
- 2-door roadster
- Top model
- 560 SL
Introduced in 1971 to replace the "Pagoda," the R107 became Mercedes-Benz’s longest-running SL — one silhouette carried from the six-cylinder 280 SL to the V8-powered 560 SL across eighteen model years.
Under a body that barely changed, the range moved through three engine families: the inline-six M110, the small-block V8 M116, and the larger-block V8 M117 — each identified by its own chassis, engine and transmission codes as displacement grew from 2.8 to 5.6 liters and emissions rules reshaped the lineup market by market.
Mercedes-Benz built 237,287 roadsters over the run — part of a wider 300,175-unit chassis-107 family that also included the fixed-roof SLC coupé — making the R107 the best-selling SL of its time and the benchmark its successor, the R129, had to beat.
Every model.
Sixteen model rows across 1971–1989 — from the inline-six 280 SL to the 5.6-liter 560 SL, each identified by its chassis, engine and transmission numbers.
| Modèle | Millésimes | Châssis | Moteur | Boîte | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 280 SL | 1974–1976 | 107.042 | 110.982 | 722.103 · 722.112 | 25,436 |
| 280 SL | 1977–1981 | 107.042 | 110.986 | 722.103 · 722.112 | inclus ci-dessus |
| 280 SL | 1982–1985 | 107.042 | 110.990 | 722.103 · 722.112 | inclus ci-dessus |
| 300 SL | 1986–1989 | 107.041 | 103.982 | 13,742 | |
| 350 SL | 1971–1976 | 107.043 | 116.982 | 722.002 · 722.201 | 15,304 |
| 350 SL | 1977–1980 | 107.043 | 116.984 | 722.002 · 722.201 | inclus ci-dessus |
| 350 SL 4.5 | 1972 | 107.044 | 117.982 | 722.001 · 722.004 | inclus ci-dessus |
| 380 SL | 1981 | 107.045 | 116.960 | 53,200 | |
| 380 SL | 1982–1985 | 107.045 | 116.962 | inclus ci-dessus | |
| 420 SL | 1986–1989 | 107.047 | 116.964 | 2,148 | |
| 450 SL | 1973–1976 | 107.044 | 117.982 | 722.001 · 722.004 | 66,298 |
| 450 SL | 1977–1980 | 107.044 | 117.985 | 722.001 · 722.004 | inclus ci-dessus |
| 500 SL | 1980–1981 | 107.046 | 117.960 | 11,812 | |
| 500 SL | 1982–1985 | 107.046 | 117.960 | inclus ci-dessus | |
| 500 SL | 1986–1989 | 107.046 | 117.964 | inclus ci-dessus | |
| 560 SL | 1986–1989 | 107.048 | 117.967 | 49,347 |
* Le chiffre de production publié couvre toutes les séries de ce modèle ; la source ne le détaille pas davantage.
722x Automatic transmission
Year by year.
Two major facelifts and nearly two decades of running changes shaped the R107 — from the oil-crisis six to the North American 560 SL.
- 1971
- Volume production begins (March/April) with the 350 SL: 3.5-liter M116 V8, fabric soft top and detachable hardtop as standard.
- 1973
- 450 SL arrives with the 4.5-liter M117 V8; early North American cars that had worn a 350 SL badge with the larger engine are renamed 450 SL for model year 1973.
- 1974
- 280 SL joins the range (July): fuel-injected 2.8-liter M110 straight-six, introduced in response to the oil crisis.
- 1975
- From late 1975 into early 1976, 280/350/450 SL models switch injection systems to meet tougher emissions rules, with a slight reduction in power and torque.
- 1980
- Geneva Motor Show facelift: cabin brought closer to the contemporary S-Class (including a new steering wheel), four-speed automatic replaces the three-speed unit, aluminum hood and a front spoiler.
- Light-alloy S-Class-derived engines arrive: 380 SL replaces the 350 SL; new 500 SL becomes the flagship. The 280 SL continues.
- ABS becomes available as an option.
- 1981
- Autumn “Energy Concept” update for the 380 SL and 500 SL: higher compression, revised cam timing, new injection valves, electronic idle control and shorter axle ratios for lower consumption.
- 1982
- Driver airbag becomes available as an option.
- 1985
- Frankfurt Motor Show facelift (September): 15″ wheels (up from 14″), revised front suspension and a new engine lineup.
- 300 SL (M103) replaces the 280 SL; 420 SL replaces the 380 SL; 500 SL gains KE-Jetronic and electronic ignition.
- 560 SL introduced for North America, Australia and Japan. ABS becomes standard from the 1986 model year.
- 1989
- Final R107 built on 4 August — a 500 SL in Astral Silver, now in the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Production totals 237,287 roadsters.
From straight-six to V8.
Two engine families are documented for the R107: the M110 inline-six and the M116 V8, spanning 2.7 to 4.2 liters of displacement.
M116
V8- 116.982 3.5 L · 3,499 cc
200 PS
147 kW · 197 hp à 5,800 tr/min
286 N·m
211 lb·ft à 4,000 tr/min
- 116.984 3.5 L · 3,499 cc
200 PS
147 kW · 197 hp à 5,800 tr/min
286 N·m
211 lb·ft à 4,000 tr/min
- 116.960 3.8 L · 3,818 cc
218 PS
160 kW · 215 hp à 5,500 tr/min
299 N·m
221 lb·ft à 4,000 tr/min
- 116.962 3.8 L · 3,818 cc
218 PS
160 kW · 215 hp à 5,500 tr/min
299 N·m
221 lb·ft à 4,000 tr/min
- 116.964 4.2 L · 4,196 cc
218 PS
160 kW · 215 hp à 5,200 tr/min
324 N·m
239 lb·ft à 4,000 tr/min
M103
Inline-6- 103.982 3.0 L · 2,962 cc
188 PS
138 kW · 185 hp à 5,700 tr/min
255 N·m
188 lb·ft à 4,400 tr/min
M117
V8- 117.960 5.0 L · 4,973 cc
240 PS
177 kW · 237 hp à 5,000 tr/min
402 N·m
296 lb·ft à 3,200 tr/min
- 117.964 5.0 L · 4,973 cc
245 PS
180 kW · 242 hp à 4,750 tr/min
392 N·m
289 lb·ft à 3,750 tr/min
- 117.967 5.5 L · 5,547 cc
230 PS
170 kW · 227 hp à 4,750 tr/min
373 N·m
275 lb·ft à 3,250 tr/min
- 117.982 4.5 L · 4,520 cc
225 PS
165 kW · 222 hp à 5,000 tr/min
378 N·m
279 lb·ft à 3,000 tr/min
- 117.985 4.5 L · 4,520 cc
217 PS
160 kW · 214 hp à 5,000 tr/min
360 N·m
266 lb·ft à 3,250 tr/min