Mercedes-Benz SL VI

Photo: M 93 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 de

The Mercedes-Benz SL VI (2012–2020): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 67 versions in the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and Canada.

Model codes: R231

Dimensions, weights and capacity

Specification	Europe	North America	Wikipedia
Dimensions
Length	4,640–4,650 mm RDW	4,620–4,640 mm TC	4,612 mm
Width	1,880 mm RDW	1,880 mm TC	1,877 mm
Height	1,310–1,320 mm RDW	1,300–1,320 mm TC	1,315 mm
Wheelbase	2,590 mm RDW	2,580–2,590 mm TC	2,585 mm
Front track	1,597–1,621 mm ASTRA	1,590–1,600 mm TC	–
Rear track	1,599–1,639 mm ASTRA	1,590–1,600 mm TC	–
Weights and towing
Kerb weight	1,585–1,745 kg RDW	1,735–1,950 kg TC	–
Mass in running order	1,685–1,845 kg RDW	–	–
Gross vehicle weight	2,065–2,180 kg RDW	–	–
Seats and space
Seats	2 RDW	–	–
Doors	2 RDW	–	–
Performance
Top speed	250–300 km/h RDW	–	–
Torque	370–1,000 Nm ASTRA	–	–

Tyre sizes (most common first): 255/40R18, 285/35R18, 255/35R19, 285/30R19, 255/45R17

Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: RDW type approvals (Netherlands), Transport Canada vehicle specifications, Wikipedia, ASTRA type approvals (Switzerland), Traficom type approvals (Finland). Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Reliability and owner reports

UK MOT: first-time pass rate by age

Age at test	Pass rate	UK average	Tests
3 years	95.2% (93.2–96.7)	92.2%	588
4–5 years	94.1% (93.1–95.0)	91.0%	2,378
6–8 years	91.4% (90.7–92.1)	86.4%	6,376
9–12 years	88.1% (87.2–88.9)	77.9%	5,919

What the MOT finds

Area	This model	UK average, same ages
Tyres	20.7%	28.4%
Brakes	7.4%	22.2%
Suspension	5.1%	16.7%
Visibility (glass, mirrors, wipers)	3.1%	7.2%
Lights and electrics	3.1%	11.2%
Wheels	1.9%	0.6%

First MOT test of each car per year in 2022–2024, from the DVSA’s anonymised test results; only ages with at least 500 tests are shown. The figure in brackets is the 95% confidence interval; green or red means clearly above or below the UK average. The second table shows how often an item was noted (defect or advisory) in each area, against the UK average for cars of the same ages. DVSA anonymised MOT tests (Open Government Licence)

Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)

34 complaints for model years 2013–2020. 2 crashes · 1 injury

Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints

All 67 versions of the Mercedes-Benz SL VI

Show all 67 versions

European Union 25 versions

New cars registered in the EU (plus Norway and Iceland), from the European Environment Agency. Figures on the NEDC procedure until 2020 and on WLTP from 2021; versions are grouped by engine and power, with their number of registrations.

Years and version	Engine	Power	Fuel	Consumption (combined)	CO₂	EU registrations
2016–2020	3.0 L	270 kW (367 PS)	Petrol	–	175–197 g/km	5,989
2015–2020	4.7 L	335 kW (455 PS)	Petrol	–	206–229 g/km	2,842
2020	4.0 L	430 kW (585 PS)	Petrol	–	290 g/km	56
2020	2.0 L	315 kW (428 PS)	Hybrid	–	215 g/km	46
2020	2.0 L	280 kW (381 PS)	Hybrid	–	210 g/km	34
2020	4.0 L	450 kW (612 PS)	Plug-in hybrid	21.0 kWh/100 km NEDC	160 g/km	30
2020	4.0 L	430 kW (585 PS)	Hybrid	–	290 g/km	26
2018–2020	5.5 L	420 kW (571 PS)	Petrol	–	264–268 g/km	276
2020	2.0 L	333 kW (453 PS)	Plug-in hybrid	15.0 kWh/100 km NEDC	125 g/km	10
2014–2019	5.5 L	430 kW (585 PS)	Petrol	–	231–234 g/km	1,928
2012–2018	6.0 L	463 kW (630 PS)	Petrol	–	270–279 g/km	283
2017	3.0 L	270 kW (367 PS)	Other fuel	–	176 g/km	26
2017	4.7 L	503 kW (684 PS)	Petrol	–	205 g/km	14
2017	5.5 L	645 kW (877 PS)	Petrol	–	234 g/km	12
2014–2016	3.0 L	245 kW (333 PS)	Petrol	–	178–179 g/km	2,992
2014–2016	4.7 L	320 kW (435 PS)	Petrol	–	211–213 g/km	1,726
2012–2016	5.5 L	395 kW (537 PS)	Petrol	–	231 g/km	461
2012–2015	5.5 L	415 kW (564 PS)	Petrol	–	231 g/km	1,396
2012–2015	3.5 L	225 kW (306 PS)	Petrol	–	170–171 g/km	8,878
2013	3.5 L	–	Other fuel	–	172 g/km	56
2013	4.7 L	–	Other fuel	–	213 g/km	42
2013	1.8 L	135 kW (184 PS)	Petrol	–	153 g/km	36
2012–2013	–	–	Petrol	–	196–209 g/km	22
2012	3.5 L	232 kW (315 PS)	Petrol	–	227 g/km	43
2012	5.5 L	285 kW (387 PS)	Petrol	–	258 g/km	18

United Kingdom 19 versions

New cars on sale in the UK, from the Vehicle Certification Agency. NEDC figures until 2018 and WLTP figures after; years are the editions a version appeared in.

Years and version	Engine	Power	Fuel	Gearbox	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2020–2021SL 400	3.0 L	270 kW (367 PS)	Petrol	9-speed automatic	9.5–9.8 L/100 km WLTP	215–221 g/km
2020–2021SL 500	4.7 L	335 kW (455 PS)	Petrol	9-speed automatic	10.3–10.7 L/100 km WLTP	235–244 g/km
2016–2017SL 400 with 19'' rear wheels	3.0 L	–	Petrol	9-speed automatic	7.7 L/100 km NEDC	175 g/km
2016–2017SL 500 with 19'' rear wheels	4.7 L	–	Petrol	9-speed automatic	9.0 L/100 km NEDC	205 g/km
2015–2017SL 63 AMG with 20'' rear wheels · AMG SL 63 with 20'' rear wheels · AMG SL 63 with 19'' rear wheels	5.5 L	–	Petrol	7-speed automatic	10.1 L/100 km NEDC	234 g/km
2016–2017AMG SL 65 with 20'' rear wheels	6.0 L	–	Petrol	7-speed automatic	11.9 L/100 km NEDC	279 g/km
2015–2016SL 400 with 19'' rear wheels	3.0 L	–	Petrol	7-speed automatic	7.7 L/100 km NEDC	179 g/km
2016SL 400 with 20'' rear wheels	3.0 L	–	Petrol	7-speed automatic	8.0 L/100 km NEDC	183 g/km
2015–2016SL 500 AMG with 19'' rear wheels · SL 500 with 19'' rear wheels	4.7 L	–	Petrol	7-speed automatic	9.1 L/100 km NEDC	212 g/km
2015SL 400 AMG with 19'' rear wheels	3.0 L	–	Petrol	7-speed automatic	7.7 L/100 km NEDC	178 g/km
2015SL 63 AMG with 19'' & 20'' rear wheels	5.5 L	–	Petrol	7-speed automatic	9.9 L/100 km NEDC	231 g/km
2015SL 65 AMG with 19'' rear wheels	6.0 L	–	Petrol	7-speed automatic	11.6 L/100 km NEDC	270 g/km
2013–2014SL 350 with 19" rear wheels ECO Start/Stop	3.5 L	–	Petrol	Automatic	7.2 L/100 km NEDC	169 g/km
2013–2014SL 500 with 19" rear wheels	4.7 L	–	Petrol	Automatic	9.1 L/100 km NEDC	212 g/km
2013–2014SL 63 AMG with 19" & 20" rear wheels	5.5 L	–	Petrol	Automatic	9.9 L/100 km NEDC	231 g/km
2013–2014SL 65 AMG with 19" and 20" rear wheels · SL 65 AMG with 19" & 20" rear wheels	6.0 L	–	Petrol	Automatic	11.6 L/100 km NEDC	270 g/km
2013SL 350 with 18" rear wheels ECO Start/Stop	3.5 L	–	Petrol	Automatic	7.5 L/100 km NEDC	176 g/km
2013SL 500 with 18" rear wheels	4.7 L	–	Petrol	Automatic	9.2 L/100 km NEDC	214 g/km
2012SL 63 AMG with 19 inch rear wheels	6.2 L	–	Petrol	7-speed automatic	14.1 L/100 km NEDC	328 g/km

France 10 versions

New cars on sale in France, from ADEME Car Labelling. NEDC figures until 2015, WLTP figures in the current catalogue.

Years and version	Engine	Power	Fuel	Gearbox	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2012–2015SL 350 BVA7	–	225 kW (306 PS)	Petrol	7-speed automatic	6.8–7.5 L/100 km NEDC	159–176 g/km
2015SL 400 BVA7	–	245 kW (333 PS)	Petrol	7-speed automatic	7.3–8.0 L/100 km NEDC	172–183 g/km
2012–2015SL 500 BVA7	–	320 kW (435 PS)	Petrol	7-speed automatic	9.1–9.2 L/100 km NEDC	212–214 g/km
2015SL 500 BVA7	–	335 kW (455 PS)	Petrol	7-speed automatic	9.1–9.6 L/100 km NEDC	212–221 g/km
2012–2015SL 63 AMG BVA7	–	395 kW (537 PS)	Petrol	7-speed automatic	9.9 L/100 km NEDC	231 g/km
2012–2015SL 63 AMG BVA7	–	415 kW (564 PS)	Petrol	7-speed automatic	9.9 L/100 km NEDC	231 g/km
2015SL 63 AMG BVA7	–	430 kW (585 PS)	Petrol	7-speed automatic	9.8–9.9 L/100 km NEDC	229–231 g/km
2015SL 65 AMG · SL 63 AMG BVA7	–	430 kW (585 PS)	Petrol	7-speed automatic	10.1 L/100 km NEDC	234 g/km
2012–2015SL 65 AMG BVA7	–	463 kW (630 PS)	Petrol	7-speed automatic	11.6 L/100 km NEDC	270 g/km
2015SL 65 AMG · SL 65 AMG BVA7	–	463 kW (630 PS)	Petrol	7-speed automatic	11.9 L/100 km NEDC	279 g/km

United States 7 versions

Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Drive	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2017–2020SIDI	3.0 L	Petrol	9-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	22–23 MPG (10.2–10.7 L/100 km) EPA	238–245 g/km
2017–2020SIDI	4.7 L	Petrol	9-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	20 MPG (11.8 L/100 km) EPA	270–275 g/km
2013–2019SIDI	5.5 L	Petrol	7-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	18–19 MPG (12.4–13.1 L/100 km) EPA	291–303 g/km
2013–2018	6.0 L	Petrol	7-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	16–17 MPG (13.8–14.7 L/100 km) EPA	334–339 g/km
2015–2016SIDI	3.0 L	Petrol	7-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	23 MPG (10.2 L/100 km) EPA	244 g/km
2013–2016SIDI	4.7 L	Petrol	7-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	19–20 MPG (11.8–12.4 L/100 km) EPA	275–289 g/km
2012	6.2 L	Petrol	7-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	14 MPG (16.8 L/100 km) EPA	394 g/km

Canada 6 versions

Model years sold in Canada, from Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption ratings (5-cycle test).

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2017–2020Two-seater	3.0 L	Petrol	9-speed automatic	10.1–10.5 L/100 km 5-cycle	237–241 g/km
2017–2020Two-seater	4.7 L	Petrol	9-speed automatic	11.6–11.8 L/100 km 5-cycle	270–275 g/km
2013–2019Two-seater	5.5 L	Petrol	7-speed automatic	12.4–13.0 L/100 km 5-cycle	285–303 g/km
2014–2018Two-seater	6.0 L	Petrol	7-speed automatic	14.2–14.5 L/100 km 5-cycle	327–340 g/km
2013–2016Two-seater	4.7 L	Petrol	7-speed automatic	11.7–12.3 L/100 km 5-cycle	269–289 g/km
2012Two-seater	6.2 L	Petrol	7-speed automatic	16.6 L/100 km 5-cycle	382 g/km

Similar models from other brands

Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.