
1989: The Mercedes-Benz SL R 129 model series is unveiled

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The fourth generation of an exceptional sports car tradition
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World premiere for the automatic roll-over bar
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The legendary 300 SL model designation lives on
300 SL from the 129 model series the last Mercedes-Benz sports car for the time being to bear this legendary model designation.


1989: Mercedes-Benz 300 SL extends the model range
M 119 V8 engine (240 kW/326 hp at 5500 rpm). The top speed of this vehicle, which when debuted was the most powerful Mercedes-Benz passenger car available, was limited to 250 km/h. A new top-of-the-line model was unveiled in 1992 in the shape of the 600 SL (subsequently the SL 600; 290 kW/394 hp at 5200 rpm).

The automatic roll-over bar is debuted




High standards of safety and comfort
In 1995, Mercedes-Benz presented the facelifted SL models at the IAA International Motor Show.
The facelift involved new design features, more comprehensive standard equipment and enhanced technology. One new feature was the headlamps with xenon gas-discharge lamps, which were introduced on the E-Class (model series 210) just a few months earlier and were now also available on the SL-Class. Mercedes-Benz provided a new cruise control system for speed 30 zones as standard on the roadster. In September 1995, the SL 500 and SL 600 were given a new five-speed automatic transmission with torque converter lock-up clutch. The engine specialists also improved fuel consumption and emissions further. The Electronic Stability Program ESP® was available as an option on the facelifted SL 500, but came as standard on the twelve-cylinder SL 600 model. Brake Assist (BAS), a world premiere for active safety, was installed as standard on all 129 series models from December 1996.

A fixed star in the SL range for many years: the Mercedes-Benz SL 500, in this case from the R 129 series (1989-2001) after the first major model facelift in 1995.

After the 1998 facelift: the Mercedes-Benz SL 280 from model series R 129 (1989-2001).


Innovation: integral seat in the Mercedes-Benz SL (model series R 129, 1989-2001) after the 1998 facelift.


Sophisticated elegance: the interior of the Mercedes-Benz SL (model series R 129, 1989-2001) after the 1998 facelift.



1998: New engines for the R 129



SLRoadster.nl
Last “Newsletter” about the SL Roadster Class R129

A 2002 Mercedes-Benz SL500
A Silver Arrow Edition We read the story of Trevor Tsoi at Petrolicious about a R129 SL500 in a silver arrow edition and couldn't help but share the beautiful pictures and the story. The author writes "This is the story of how I came to own one of the rarer iterations...