Mercedes-Benz SL R231
ConvertibleProduct Gallery
Product Overview
Mercedes-Benz SL R231 is a flagship mid-size luxury convertible in production from 2012 to 2015, whereupon it received a facelift. It was available with a range of V6, V8, and V12 engines that displaced 3.0 to 6.0 liters.
Compared to the R230 that it replaced, the R231 has similar proportions, though some argue that it is slightly uglier. Still, Mercedes got ride of the unreliable M272 and M273 engines and replaced them with M276 and M278 that have proven to be more reliable. The turbocharged engines are also much torquier.
On the AMG-front, the SL63 is now powered by the great M157 5.5L bi-turbo V8, while the SL65 received the updated M279 V12 with a coil-on-plug design that makes maintenance much easier. Unfortunately, the non-AMG V12 disappeared.
Ratings
What we found
Neofiliac score 97%
Pros
- New, more reliable engine lineup
- New, better electronics
- Good, athletic styling
Cons
- Uglier than R230
- No more SL600
- ABC is better but still unreliable
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Price Comparison
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Specifications
Variants shown:
SL 63 AMG 537
SL 63 AMG 585
SL 65 AMG
SL 350
SL 400
SL 500
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