| 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL Coupe/Roadsters Technical Data |
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| SL500 | SL600 | |
| Vehicle Type | Two-passenger convertible with standard one-touch canvas top and removable aluminum hardtop. Panorama glass hardtop is optional | |
| Engine | V8 | V12 |
| Engine material | Hyper-eutectic aluminum block, alloy heads |
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Valvetrain |
Double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, electronically controlled variable intake valve timing |
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| Displacement (cu. in./cc) | 303.5/4,973 | 365.4/5,987 |
| Bore (in./mm) | 3.80/96.5 | 3.50/89.0 |
| Stroke (in./mm) | 3.35/85.0 | 3.16/80.2 |
| Compression ratio | 11:1 | 10:1 |
| Horsepower/rpm | 315/5,600 | 389/5,200 |
| Torque/rpm | 345/3,900 | 420/3,800 |
Engine management |
ME 1.0 integrated, distributorless ignition (two spark plugs per coil), fuel injection, knock sensor |
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| Max. engine speed | 6,000 | 6,000 |
Transmission |
Five-speed electronically controlled automatic with driver-adaptive shift logic; lock-up torque converter engages in third, fourth and fifth gears | |
Gear Ratios 12 3 4 5 R R2 ("winter" mode) |
3.59 2.19 1.41 1.00 0.83 3.16 1.95 |
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| Axle ratio | 2.65 |
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Traction control |
ASR — uses rear brakes and throttle intervention to control wheelspin |
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| Suspension | ||
Front |
Struts, lower control arms, separate coil springs and shock absorbers, stabilizer bar, anti-dive geometry and negative-offset steering |
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Rear |
Five-link design, coil springs, gas shocks, stabilizer bar, anti-squat and anti-lift geometry |
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Steering |
Power-assisted recirculating ball |
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Overall ratio |
14.1:1 |
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Turns, lock-to-lock |
3.0 |
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| Turning circle radius (ft.) | 35.4 |
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| SL500 | SL600 | ||
Wheels |
16" x 8" aluminum alloy (18" x 8" front, 18" x 9" rear with Sport Package) |
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Tires |
225/55ZR-16 (245/40ZR-18 front, 275/35ZR-18 rear with Sport Package) |
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| Brakes | 2-circuit hydraulic power assist 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS anti-lock (G-force sensitive proportioning on SL600); Brake Assist. |
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| Disc diameter, front/rear (in./mm) | 11.8 in./300mm; 10.9in./278mm |
12.6 in/320mm; 11.8 in./300mm |
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| Disc thickness, front/rear (in./mm) | 1.1 in./28mm; .35 in./9mm |
1.2 in./30mm; .87 in./22mm |
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| Exterior dimensions (in./mm) | |||
Wheelbase |
99.0/2,515 |
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Length |
177.1/4,499 |
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Width |
71.3/1,812 |
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Height |
51.3/1,303 (with standard hardtop) |
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| Track | Front Rear |
60.4/1,535 60.0/1,523 |
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| Overhang | Front Rear |
38.1/969 40.0/1,015 |
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| Weight (lbs.) | 4,165 | 4,455 | |
Aerodynamic drag (CD) |
0.32 (w/ standard hardtop) 0.34 (with softtop up) |
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| Interior dimensions (in./mm) | |||
| Head room (w/hardtop) | 37.1/943 |
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| Leg room | 42.4/1,078 |
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