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Mercedes-Benz SL

From the racing 300 SL's 1952 Le Mans one-two to the 805-hp SL 63 S E PERFORMANCE.12

Researched October 26, 2026 from 40 sources

Also called

  • GullwingThe 300 SL coupe's high, wide door sills forced a door design that opened upward.3
  • PapillonMeaning butterfly, this was another name inspired by the 300 SL coupe's roof-hinged doors.4
  • PagodaThe W113's inward-curving hardtop recalled Asian temples; the nickname first appeared in Italy.5

At a glance

05001,000
104–805 hpPower
07.515
2.8–10.5 s0–60 mph
0175350
173–320 km/hTop speed
08001,600
142–1,420 N·mTorque
01,2502,500
1,158–2,020 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.28161718

Engine
1.9 L I4 (190 SL) to 7.3 L V12 (SL 73 AMG); R232 4.0 L V8 hybrid268
Layout
Front-engine, RWD; R232 adds AWD on V8 versions16
Gearbox
4/5-speed manuals through R129; automatics up to 9 speeds610
Built at
Untertürkheim/Sindelfingen, Germany; Bremen, Germany (since 1989)6
Units built
W198: 3,258; W113: 48,912; R107 roadsters: 237,287; R129: 213,0893101116

The story

SL means Super Light. Max Hoffman pushed for a road-going 300 SL for America. The R232 reinvention brings Mercedes-AMG branding, a fabric roof, 2+2 seating and its first all-wheel drive.167

1954: 300 SL and 190 SL debut in New York19541957: 300 SL Roadster lowers the spaceframe19571963: W113 Pagoda brings a safety body19631971: R107 introduces the SL's first V819711989: R129: a roll bar in 0.3 seconds19892001: R230 introduces the folding Vario Roof20012012: R231 sheds 140 kg with aluminum20122021: R232: AMG, soft top and 2+2 seats20212024: 805 hp from the SL 63 S E PERFORMANCE2024 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing car (W194): 1952W194Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (W198): 1954–1957Mercedes-Benz 190 SL (W121): 1955–1963W121Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (W198): 1957–1963W198Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda (W113): 1963–1971W113Mercedes-Benz SL (R107): 1971–1989R107Mercedes-Benz SL (R129): 1989–2001R129Mercedes-Benz SL (R230): 2001–2011R230Mercedes-Benz SL (R231): 2011–2020R231Mercedes-AMG SL (R232): 2022–present 1960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1346891011121423
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1952Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing car (W194)
1954–1957Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (W198)
1955–1963Mercedes-Benz 190 SL (W121)
1957–1963Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (W198)
1963–1971Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda (W113)
1971–1989Mercedes-Benz SL (R107)
1989–2001Mercedes-Benz SL (R129)
2001–2011Mercedes-Benz SL (R230)
2011–2020Mercedes-Benz SL (R231)
2022–presentMercedes-AMG SL (R232)
1954300 SL and 190 SL debut in New York
1957300 SL Roadster lowers the spaceframe
1963W113 Pagoda brings a safety body
1971R107 introduces the SL's first V8
1989R129: a roll bar in 0.3 seconds
2001R230 introduces the folding Vario Roof
2012R231 sheds 140 kg with aluminum
2021R232: AMG, soft top and 2+2 seats
2024805 hp from the SL 63 S E PERFORMANCE
  1. 1954

    300 SL and 190 SL debut in New York

    The direct-injection 300 SL debuted beside the 190 SL prototype in New York; in 1955, the cheaper 1.9-liter four-cylinder 190 SL joined it.468

  2. 1957

    300 SL Roadster lowers the spaceframe

    Lower frame sides allowed conventional doors on the 300 SL Roadster; a revised rear axle added a lower pivot and a compensating spring.9

  3. 1963

    W113 Pagoda brings a safety body

    The safety-bodied W113 began as the 2.3-liter 230 SL, then grew into the 2.5-liter 250 SL and 2.8-liter 280 SL; a ZF five-speed arrived in 1966.610

  4. 1971

    R107 introduces the SL's first V8

    US 4.5-liter versions later fell from 192 to 162 hp under emissions rules; European 1976–1980 cars made 215 hp.611

  5. 1989

    R129: a roll bar in 0.3 seconds

    The R129 paired a roll bar that rose in 0.3 seconds with a folding soft top that opened or closed at a button press in 30 seconds.12

  6. 2001

    R230 introduces the folding Vario Roof

    R230 added a folding Vario Roof, ABC suspension and SBC brakes; in 2008, the 518-hp SL 63 AMG replaced the SL 55 AMG.4613

  7. 2012

    R231 sheds 140 kg with aluminum

    An almost all-aluminum body cut 140 kg from the R231 versus its predecessor; the SL 63 AMG later rose to 577 hp in 2014.1415

  8. 2021

    R232: AMG, soft top and 2+2 seats

    AMG took over with a soft-top 2+2 and the SL's first AWD. In 2022, Car and Driver timed the SL63 to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds with rollout.167

  9. 2024

    805 hp from the SL 63 S E PERFORMANCE

    A front-mounted 4.0-liter biturbo V8 and rear-axle electric motor deliver 805 hp; the estimated 0–60 mph time is 2.8 seconds.2

Every generation

  • Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing car
    W1941952
  • Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
    W1981954–1957
  • Mercedes-Benz 190 SL
    W1211955–1963
  • Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
    W1981957–1963
  • Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda
    W1131963–1971
  • Mercedes-Benz SL
    R1071971–1989
  • Mercedes-Benz SL
    R1291989–2001
  • Mercedes-Benz SL
    R2302001–2011
  • Mercedes-Benz SL
    R2312011–2020
  • Mercedes-AMG SL
    R2322022–present

Power over the years

From 212 hp to 805 hp in 70 years.

02505007501,000 1960197019801990200020102020 hp 1954 · 212 hp · W198 300 SL (DIN)1955 · 104 hp · W121 190 SL1967 · 168 hp · W113 280 SL; 230/250 SL: 148 hp1972 · 192 hp · R107 US 350SL 4.51989 · 322 hp · 500 SL 5.0 V8; 3.0 sixes: 188/228 hp1992 · 389 hp · R129 600 SL V122003 · 493 hp · R230 SL55/600; SL350/500: 242/302 hp2006 · 383 hp · SL 500/550; SL 350: 268 hp2008 · 661 hp · SL 65 Black Series; SL 65 AMG: 604 hp2012 · 621 hp · R231 SL 65 AMG; SL 63 AMG: 530 hp2022 · 577 hp · R232 SL 63; SL 55: 469 hp2024 · 805 hp · SL 63 S E PERFORMANCE 805 hp SL 63 S E PERFORMANCE 212 hp W198 300 SL (DIN)
12368101113141617
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1954212W198 300 SL (DIN)
1955104W121 190 SL
1967168W113 280 SL; 230/250 SL: 148 hp
1972192R107 US 350SL 4.5
1989322500 SL 5.0 V8; 3.0 sixes: 188/228 hp
1992389R129 600 SL V12
2003493R230 SL55/600; SL350/500: 242/302 hp
2006383SL 500/550; SL 350: 268 hp
2008661SL 65 Black Series; SL 65 AMG: 604 hp
2012621R231 SL 65 AMG; SL 63 AMG: 530 hp
2022577R232 SL 63; SL 55: 469 hp
2024805SL 63 S E PERFORMANCE

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • AMG SL 43

    Standard

    AMG SL 43

    2025

    416 hp

  • Standard

    300 SL Roadster

    1957–1963

    1,858 built

  • AMG SL 63 S E PERFORMANCE

    Performance

    AMG SL 63 S E PERFORMANCE

    2024

    805 hp
  • Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series

    Special

    Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series

    2026

    577 hp

  • Special

    250 SL / 280 SL California Coupe

  • SL Mille Miglia 417

    Special

    SL Mille Miglia 417

    2015

  • SL 500 / SL 600 Silver Arrow Edition (US)

    Limited

    SL 500 / SL 600 Silver Arrow Edition (US)

    2002

    1,550 built

  • SL Night Edition

    Limited

    SL Night Edition

    2011

    100 built

  • Limited

    AMG SL 63 MANUFAKTUR Golden Coast

    2025

    577 hp

    100 built

  • SL 73 AMG

    Performance

    SL 73 AMG

    1997–2001

    518 hp

    50 built

  • Limited

    300 SL Gullwing (alloy body)

    29 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Early 300 SL coupes have roof-hinged gullwing doors; Roadsters use conventional doors.46
  • Pagoda: a hardtop that dips in the middle above upright 'fishbowl' headlights.10
  • Long bumpers and 4 round headlights suggest a US R107; Euro 500SLs also arrived as converted imports.11
  • R129: a crisp wedge profile with a long hood, compact tail and steeply raked windshield.12
  • R232: fabric roof, 14 upright grille slats and very slim headlights and taillights.167

Year by year

  1. 1967–1968

    The 250 SL and 280 SL wear full wheel covers instead of the earlier small hubcaps.6

  2. 1995 / 1996 model year

    R129 bumpers turn body color; front fender vents switch from 3 squared slots to 2 rounded ones.1216

  3. 2006

    R230 gets a more V-shaped bumper with 3 large intakes, chrome-rimmed fog lights and revised rear lamps.13

  4. 2008

    R230 adopts a single-bar grille and 2 long hood power domes.13

  5. 2016 / 2017 model year

    R231 gets larger fake side vents, integrated daytime running lights, and red or red/amber taillights replacing red/white.6

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Mercedes-Benz SL
    SL
    Photo of a Mercedes-Benz C107 SLC
    Mercedes-Benz C107 SLC

    Mercedes-Benz C107 SLC

    The SLC has a longer wheelbase, fixed roof and slatted rear quarter windows; the R107 SL's hardtop is removable.11

Against its rivals

  • Cadillac XLR-V

    SL vs Cadillac XLR-V

    Power

    SL382 hp
    Cadillac XLR-V443 hp
    24
  • BMW 650i

    SL vs BMW 650i

    Price as tested lower is better

    SL$102,375
    BMW 650i$87,640
    24
  • Jaguar XK Convertible

    SL vs Jaguar XK Convertible

    Price as tested lower is better

    SL$102,375
    Jaguar XK Convertible$85,200
    24

Prices

Value today $40.6K–$99.2K17

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$1K$10K$100K$1M$10M 1960197019801990200020102020 Value today: $40,600–$99,200 1955 · $3,998 · US base, 190 SL soft top2003 · $118,295 · US SL55 AMG; luxury/guzzler tax incl2022 · $180,450 · US SL63 base2024 · $207,000 · US SL63 S E base, excl. delivery2025 · $111,950 · US SL43 base, excl. delivery2025 · $144,650 · US SL55 base, excl. delivery2025 · $187,150 · US SL63 base, excl. delivery2026 · $224,900 · US Maybach SL680, excl. delivery 2016 · $41,800 · 1989 560SL, under 20k miles shown, Hilton Head2024 · $610,000 · R129 SL73, Auction2024 · $175,000 · 2023 AMG SL63, 237 miles, BaT2024 · $97,175 · 1968 280 SL Pagoda, London2024 · $430,625 · 2009 SL 65 AMG Black Series, 22,719 miles, London2024 · $1,352,500 · 1963 300 SL Roadster, Monterey2025 · $212,800 · 1955 190 SL, Monterey2026 · $33,806 · 1989 560SL, 40k miles shown, Bring a Trailer2026 · $15,750 · 1995 SL500, 53k miles, Bring a Trailer2026 · $47,500 · 2017 SL450, 12k miles, BaT $1.4M Monterey, 2024
27819202931323334353637383940
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1955Price when new$3,998US base, 190 SL soft top
2003Price when new$118,295US SL55 AMG; luxury/guzzler tax incl
2022Price when new$180,450US SL63 base
2024Price when new$207,000US SL63 S E base, excl. delivery
2025Price when new$111,950US SL43 base, excl. delivery
2025Price when new$144,650US SL55 base, excl. delivery
2025Price when new$187,150US SL63 base, excl. delivery
2026Price when new$224,900US Maybach SL680, excl. delivery
2016Auction sale$41,8001989 560SL, under 20k miles shown, Hilton Head
2024Auction sale$610,000R129 SL73, Auction
2024Auction sale$175,0002023 AMG SL63, 237 miles, BaT
2024Auction sale$97,1751968 280 SL Pagoda, London
2024Auction sale$430,6252009 SL 65 AMG Black Series, 22,719 miles, London
2024Auction sale$1,352,5001963 300 SL Roadster, Monterey
2025Auction sale$212,8001955 190 SL, Monterey
2026Auction sale$33,8061989 560SL, 40k miles shown, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$15,7501995 SL500, 53k miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$47,5002017 SL450, 12k miles, BaT
2026Value today$40,600–$99,200

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “Le Mans and Mexico: one-twos in 1952”
    • “417 meant a 4:17 a.m. start”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 10 generations

  • Market

    • 4 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 40 sources
  1. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  2. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  3. Mercedes-Benz 300 SL - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  5. Style icon and rally winner: The “Pagoda” from Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-Benz Media media.mercedes-benz.com
  6. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. Tested: 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL63 Reconnects with Its Fan Base caranddriver.com
  8. Mercedes-Benz 190 SL - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  9. Types 300 SL Coupé and 300 SL Roadster (W 198), 1954 - 1963 mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com
  10. Mercedes-Benz W113 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  11. Mercedes-Benz R107 and C107 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  12. Modern classics: the Mercedes-Benz SL of the R 129 series (1989 - 2001) - Mercedes 500SEC.com 500sec.com
  13. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R230) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  14. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R231) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  15. Used Mercedes SL review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  16. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R129) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  17. 1967-1971 Mercedes-Benz W113 SL Pagoda Buying Guide from Magneto - Magneto magnetomagazine.com
  18. 2008 - 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series - Images, Specifications and Information ultimatecarpage.com
  19. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  20. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  21. Special Edition SL "Mille Miglia 417" - Mercedes 500SEC.com 500sec.com
  22. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  23. 30 cars and 90 years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 4/30 : Mercedes 300 SL (1952) 24h-lemans.com
  24. Tested: Five 2006 $100K Convertibles Vie for Hearts and Wallets caranddriver.com
  25. Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda – The full story - Octane Magazine octane-magazine.com
  26. 24.04.2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SL: 60 YEARS OF CINEMA. - Concesur Group - Grupo Concesur grupoconcesur.es
  27. Experience Donut Media’s Hi-Low Cars in Forza Horizon 5 Upgrade Heroes forza.net
  28. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing "The Last One" | amfAR x RM Sotheby's | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  29. Mercedes-Benz SL R129 buying guide, history and model review - Octane Magazine octane-magazine.com
  30. Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG (2007) - Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG Checkpoints | evo evo.co.uk
  31. Tested: 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG caranddriver.com
  32. 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560 SL | Hilton Head 2016 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  33. 23-Years-Family-Owned 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SL for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $33,806 on August 27, 2026 (Lot #259,964) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL500 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,750 on August 28, 2026 (Lot #260,281) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. 12k-Mile 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL450 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $47,500 on February 17, 2026 (Lot #230,374) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL | Monterey 2025 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  37. 2023 Mercedes-AMG SL63 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $175,000 on February 10, 2024 (Lot #135,985) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL 'Pagoda' | London 2024 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  39. 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series | London 2024 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  40. 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | Monterey 2024 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  • media.mbusa.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • media.mercedes-benz.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com
  • 500sec.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • magnetomagazine.com
  • ultimatecarpage.com
  • 24h-lemans.com
  • octane-magazine.com
  • grupoconcesur.es
  • forza.net
  • rmsothebys.com

Photo credits

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