Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Roadster · 6th generation SL

R231

All-aluminum body, Magic Sky Control roof.

Production: 2012–2020
Body: 2-door roadster
Top power: 630 PS

Launched in 2012, the R231 rebuilt the SL around a fully aluminum body-in-white, cutting weight while keeping the folding metal roof — available for the first time with Magic Sky Control, an electrochromic glass panel that could switch from clear to tinted at the press of a button.

The range ran from the V6 SL 350 through the V8 SL 400 and SL 500 to two AMG flagships: the naturally aspirated M157 V8 in the SL 63 AMG and the twin-turbocharged M279 V12 in the SL 65 AMG, the latter producing 630 PS and 1,000 N·m of torque.

All models used 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmissions from the 722.9 family, with chassis, engine and transmission codes varying between the early and later cars introduced through the run to 2020.

R231 interior — The R231 cabin, centered on a COMAND infotainment display and a driver-focused center console.

Every model.

Seven model rows across 2012–2020 — from the V6 SL 350 to the twin-turbo V12 SL 65 AMG, each identified by its chassis, engine and transmission numbers.

Modèle	Millésimes	Châssis	Moteur	Boîte	Total
SL 350	2012–2014	231.457	276.954	722.906	7,904
SL 400	2012–2015	231.461	276.855	722.904	inclus ci-dessus
SL 400	2016–2020	231.465	276.825	722.904	6,319
SL 500	2012–2015	231.473	278.927	722.909	inclus ci-dessus
SL 500	2016–2020	231.473	278.927	722.909	inclus ci-dessus
SL 63 AMG	2012–2014	231.474	157.983	722.931	inclus ci-dessus
SL 65 AMG	2012–2018	231.479	279.981	722.932	inclus ci-dessus

* Le chiffre de production publié couvre toutes les séries de ce modèle ; la source ne le détaille pas davantage.

722.9x 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic

The all-aluminum R231 body cut weight while retaining the folding metal roof.

Year by year.

From the all-aluminum launch to the 2016 facelift — the milestones that define early and late R231 cars.

2012
- R231 launched (dealerships from 31 March): almost entirely aluminum body, retractable Vario hardtop, optional MAGIC SKY CONTROL panoramic roof.
- Early range: SL 350 and SL 500 (SL 550 in North America), followed by SL 63 AMG (Geneva) and SL 65 AMG (New York).
- Limited Edition 1 launch package offered with designo crystal silver magno and extensive equipment.
2014
- SL 400 arrives with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, succeeding the naturally aspirated SL 350 in most markets.
- SL 63 AMG raised to 585 PS / 900 N·m (Performance Package levels become the standard tune in many markets).
2016
- Mid-cycle facelift for model year 2017 (shown late 2015 / early 2016): revised front end and Panamericana-inspired grille, adaptive LED headlights, redesigned bumpers and single-color LED tail lamps.
- 9G-Tronic PLUS nine-speed automatic for non-AMG V6/V8 models; SL 500 output rises to 455 PS. US SL 400 becomes SL 450 with 367 PS.
- Optional Active Body Control gains Curve Tilting; Vario roof can finish a cycle begun at speeds up to 40 km/h, with an automatically deployed luggage partition.
2018
- SL 65 AMG ends production. SL 63 AMG output adjusted in some markets (published figures around 571 PS).
2019
- SL 63 AMG discontinued after soft demand in its final years.
2020
- R231 production ends; the AMG-developed R232 succeeds it for the 2022 model year.

R231 rear three-quarter view — Quad exhausts and a wide rear track distinguish the V12-powered SL 65 AMG.

V8 and V12 power.

Two engine families are documented for the R231: the naturally aspirated M157 V8 and the twin-turbocharged M279 V12.

M157

157.9835.5 L · 5,461 cc
537 PS
395 kW · 530 hp à 5,500 tr/min
800 N·m
590 lb·ft à 2,000 tr/min

M279

V12

279.9816.0 L · 5,980 cc
630 PS
463 kW · 621 hp à 4,800 tr/min
1000 N·m
738 lb·ft à 2,300 tr/min

Original brochures.

Factory sales literature for the R231, exactly as it left the dealership — free to download as PDF.

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