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
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Roadster (R231)

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.

ModelLata modeloweZbudowanoPodwozieSilnikSkrzynia biegówRazem
SL 3502012–201403.2012–05.2014231.457276.954722.9067,904
SL 4002015–201606.2014–03.2016231.461276.825722.9046,319
SL 4002017–202004.2016–231.465276.825722.904uwzględnione powyżej
SL 5002012–201503.2012–05.2015231.473278.927722.909uwzględnione powyżej
SL 5002016–202006.2015–231.473278.927722.909uwzględnione powyżej
SL 63 AMG2012–201405.2012–05.2014231.474157.983722.931uwzględnione powyżej
SL 65 AMG2012–201809.2012–07.2018231.479279.981722.932uwzględnione powyżej

* Opublikowana liczba produkcji obejmuje każdą serię tego modelu; źródło nie rozbija jej dalej.

722.9x 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic
R231 side profile
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.

  1. 2013
    • The R231 reached the US for model year 2013 with an almost entirely aluminum body, retractable Vario hardtop and optional MAGIC SKY CONTROL panoramic roof.
    • The US range comprised SL 550, SL 63 AMG and SL 65 AMG; other markets also received SL 350 and SL 500 versions.
    • Limited Edition 1 launch package offered with designo crystal silver magno and extensive equipment.
  2. 2015
    • SL 400 arrived in the US with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, creating a new entry model; it succeeded the naturally aspirated SL 350 in many other markets.
    • SL 63 AMG raised to 585 PS / 900 N·m (Performance Package levels become the standard tune in many markets).
  3. 2017
    • The model-year 2017 facelift brought a revised front end and diamond-block grille, adaptive LED headlamps, 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.
  4. 2019
    • SL 63 AMG and SL 65 AMG production ended, leaving the SL 450 and SL 550 to complete the US run.
  5. 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

V8
  • 157.983 5.5 L · 5,461 cc

    537 PS

    395 kW · 530 KM przy 5,500 obr./min

    800 N·m

    590 lb·ft przy 2,000 obr./min

M279

V12
  • 279.981 6.0 L · 5,980 cc

    630 PS

    463 kW · 621 KM przy 4,800 obr./min

    1000 N·m

    738 lb·ft przy 2,300 obr./min

M276

V6
  • 276.825 3.0 L · 2,996 cc

    333 PS

    245 kW · 328 KM przy 5,250 obr./min

    480 N·m

    354 lb·ft przy 1,600 obr./min

  • 276.954 3.5 L · 3,498 cc

    306 PS

    225 kW · 302 KM przy 6,500 obr./min

    370 N·m

    273 lb·ft przy 3,500 obr./min

M278

V8
  • 278.927 4.7 L · 4,663 cc

    435 PS

    320 kW · 429 KM przy 5,250 obr./min

    700 N·m

    516 lb·ft przy 1,800 obr./min

Original brochures.

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

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