Mercedes SL: An unobstructed view in all directions

You're ready for any kind of weather in your SL. In just 30 seconds the fully automatic soft top unfolds to protect you from sudden changes in weather.

And our optional panorama glass hardtop is more than just an enticing new design variant. It gives you the feeling that you are driving under open skies twelve months of the year - like a sort of mobile winter garden. It is just as safe as the light-alloy hardtop. Like the quarter windows, the panorama glass top is made of thick single-pane safety glass, and the rear window is made of laminated safety glass. Thermal insulation ensures that it does not get too hot in the SL.

Mercedes-Benz is offering a new kind of information system for the first time in its SL roadsters following two years of development work. The system is based on optical rather than electrical signals, permitting intelligent networking of all audio components such as the Audio 10 and Audio 30 radios, the CD player, the sound system and the car telephone. Even the Linguatronic voice-activated control system can be integrated.

This means that every function of any integrated device can be controlled simply from a central control device. For example, you can use either the Audio 30 car radio or the voice-activated control system to dial a telephone number. If the party's name has been stored in the telephone, the name will appear on the Audio 30's display. The radio automatically mutes the moment a telephone call is received. The driver can then adjust the telephone's volume using the car radio's controls.

All these functions are possible because the various electrical components communicate extensively with each other, constantly exchanging data, thanks to the new light wave technology. The same degree of comfort is theoretically attainable with ordinary analog copper wiring but the costs would be much higher and would require thick wiring harnesses. The amount of data is so high that the usual number of copper wires would be woefully inadequate. Light wave conduction provides some other benefits as well.

SL Safety
All SL models are fitted as standard with side airbags in the doors. This significantly reduces the likelihood of occupant injury in the event of a side collision. The airbags are concealed behind the interior door trim, the shape of which has been completely redesigned for this purpose. In the event of a side collision, the side airbag tears a special seam in the fabric or leather door trim and inflates between the door and the seat occupant in a matter of milliseconds. The side airbags significantly reduce the risk of injury to the head (due to whiplash) and upper torso during a side impact

Engine Lineup
The centerpiece of the newly-modified SL line is the new engine lineup. Mercedes-Benz has equipped the SL 280 and SL 320 roadsters with modern V-6's that have already seen duty in the E-Class. The SL 500 has also received a newly-developed V-8 that develops 225 kW/306 hp. The SL 600's 12-cylinder motor remains unchanged.

SL 280, SL 320 and SL 500 roadsters are among the most economical automobiles of their class.
The 2.8 liter V-6 burns only 11.4 liters of premium fuel in a European driving cycle per 100 kilometers driven (NEFZ total fuel consumption, preliminary figures).

The 3.2 liter V-6 needs only 11.5 liters of premium fuel in a European driving cycle per 100 kilometers driven (NEFZ total fuel consumption, preliminary figures).

The SL 500's V-8 requires 12.7 liters per 100 kilometers driven (NEFZ total consumption, preliminary figures). That's some eleven percent less than the previous V-8.