For 1991, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL was powered by a 24-valve dual-overhead-cam six-cylinder engine displacing 180.8 cubic-inches and offering nearly 230 horsepower. The 300SL came with either a five-speed manual gearbox as standard or an optional five-speed automatic. Disc brakes could be found in both the front and rear. New for this year was the Adaptive Damping System (ADS).After nearly two decades, the 560SL was replaced by the 300SL and 500SL in 1990. These new rear-wheel-drive two-seater coupe/roadsters rested on a short and sporty wheelbase and came with both a folding top and removable aluminum hardtop. The 300SL had a 3-liter engine while the 500SL had a 32-valve 5-liter V8 rated at nearly 330 horsepower. An electro-hydraulic mechanism automatically adjusted the engine's valve timing, which provided more torque at midrange. There were airbags installed on both the drivers and passenger's side. Harkening back to the original 300SL design, the new model had small air-extractor vents located ahead of the door.Both luxurious and sporty, the 300SL could race from zero-to-sixty in about 9 seconds.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2012
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2012
Related Reading : Mercedes-Benz SL-Class History
The classic Type 107 Mercedes-Benz bodyshell was retired in 1989. It had served a long and prosperous life, lasting almost two decades, and captured the hearts of enthusiasts from around the globe. The new Type 129 body style was equally appealing and sleek in a modern idiom. The Type 129 body style was used for three different engine types 6.0-liter V12, 5.0-liter V8, and 3.0-liter straight-six.....
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Related Reading : Mercedes-Benz SL-Class History
Max Hoffman was responsible for the sporty two-seat Mercedes-Benz 190SL sports car. The S represented Sports while the L meant Light or Sehr Leicht. With a curb weight of 2560 pounds, it was hardly light when compared with other vehicles in its class, some 500 through 1000 pounds less. It was however an excellent alternative to the higher-priced Mercedes-Benz 300SL. The gullwing-door 300SL was....
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Recent Vehicle Additions
Performance and Specification Comparison
SL-Class Specification Comparison by Year
Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
7,999
99.00 in.
6 cyl., 195.22 CID., 217.00hp
8 cyl., 303.47 CID., 315.00hp
12 cyl., 365.35 CID., 389.00hp
8 cyl., 303.47 CID., 315.00hp
12 cyl., 365.35 CID., 389.00hp
$79,600 - $123,200
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