ConvertibleMercedes-Benz97% by Neofiliac Team

Mercedes-Benz SL R231

Convertible

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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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Specifications

Variants shown:

SL 63 AMG 537

SL 63 AMG 585

SL 65 AMG

SL 350

SL 400

SL 500

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