Mercedes-Benz SL 2001–2004 car dimensions: 4535 mm long, 1815 mm wide and 1298 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,845 kg. Boot space with the seats up is 317 litres.
The cabin has standard leather integral seats with memory for electric seat and steering wheel adjustment stored on the key, plus a multi-function steering wheel and stereo radio. Automatic climate control is standard with sensors for sun, temperature and occupancy. Basic cruise control is standard. adaptive DISTRONIC is optional. PARKTRONIC parking sensors are optional. COMAND display system is optional. ESP, SBC brakes, BAS and active roll bar are standard.
Boot holds 317 litres with the vario-roof closed and 235 litres with the roof stowed. It is a two-seater with no folding rear seats.
Payload is 295 kg based on 1845 kg kerb and 2140 kg gross weight. No manufacturer towing figures are published for this model.
The cabin offers leather integral seats with multi-way power adjustment, memory function stored in the key, lumbar support and dual-zone automatic climate control as standard. Optional active ventilation and dynamic multi-contour backrests with pulse massage add further support. Fine materials including leather, wood and aluminium create an exclusive two-seater space with a multi-function steering wheel.
Fuel consumption 19.1/9.2/12.7 l/100 km NEDC city/extra-urban/combined.
Service interval 20 000 km or 1 year.
Passed offset frontal crash at 64 km/h and 90-degree side impact at 50 km/h as part of Euro NCAP procedures.
Standard safety includes two-stage front airbags, head-thorax side bags, belt pretensioners and load limiters, sensor-controlled roll-over bar, ESP, SBC electro-hydraulic brakes, ABC and BAS.
The 5.0-litre V8 returns official NEDC figures of 19.1 l/100 km urban, 9.2 l/100 km extra-urban and 12.7 l/100 km combined. Real-world use is higher in mixed conditions.
Manufacturer service is set at 20 000 km or annually. Regular oil changes and checks on the ABC suspension, SBC brakes and vario-roof hydraulics keep the car reliable.
The body structure with high-strength steel and aluminium panels meets demanding open-car crash standards. Occupant protection relies on dual-stage airbags, door-mounted head-thorax bags, integral seats with integrated belts, pretensioners, load limiters and an automatic pop-up roll bar that works with the roof open or closed. ESP, SBC, ABC and Brake Assist form the active safety package.
Keep the car by monitoring ABC fluid and seals, SBC system health, roof mechanism and electrics. A full service history and dry storage help longevity of this complex roadster.
Length 4535 mm, Width 1815 mm, Height 1298 mm, Wheelbase 2560 mm (SL 2001–2004)
Sources: manufacturer data, Mercedes-Benz Classic specification sheet, Daimler press kit, 31 July 2001: VDA luggage compartment, 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class brochure: turning circle 11.0 m.