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THE GLOBAL CAR CATALOG

Mercedes SL-Class Specs, Engines & Dimensions (1971–1989) — Third Generation

The third generation Mercedes SL-Class is a grand tourer in Coupe and Roadster form. You get rear-wheel drive, gasoline engines, and either a manual or automatic gearbox, depending on the version you choose.

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Mercedes SL-Class Engines and Transmissions

A Mercedes SL-Class engine in this generation is a gasoline unit with a rear-wheel-drive drivetrain. Coupe examples include the 5.0 MT with a manual gearbox, plus the 3.8 MT and 3.8 AT, which share displacement but differ in transmission. Those pairings are selected versions, not the full lineup.

Coupe — Mercedes SL-Class Engines and Transmissions

Coupe Mercedes SL-Class Engines and Transmissions
Modification	Engine type	Engine capacity	Maximum power	Maximum power, kw	Maximum torque N⋅m	Transmission	Type of drive
2.8 MT	Gasoline	2746 cm³	177 hp	130 kW	Not provided	Manual	RWD
2.8 AT	Gasoline	2746 cm³	177 hp	130 kW	238 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD
2.8 MT	Gasoline	2746 cm³	185 hp	136 kW	Not provided	Manual	RWD
2.8 AT	Gasoline	2746 cm³	185 hp	136 kW	245 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD
3.5 MT	Gasoline	3499 cm³	195 hp	143 kW	280 N⋅m	Manual	RWD
3.5 AT	Gasoline	3499 cm³	195 hp	143 kW	280 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD
3.5 MT	Gasoline	3499 cm³	200 hp	147 kW	292 N⋅m	Manual	RWD
3.5 AT	Gasoline	3499 cm³	200 hp	147 kW	292 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD
4.5 MT	Gasoline	4520 cm³	225 hp	165 kW	370 N⋅m	Manual	RWD
5.0 MT	Gasoline	4973 cm³	240 hp	176 kW	402 N⋅m	Manual	RWD
3.8 MT	Gasoline	3800 cm³	218 hp	160 kW	305 N⋅m	Manual	RWD
3.8 AT	Gasoline	3839 cm³	218 hp	160 kW	305 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD
4.5 MT	Gasoline	4520 cm³	218 hp	160 kW	370 N⋅m	Manual	RWD
4.5 AT	Gasoline	4520 cm³	218 hp	160 kW	370 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD
4.5 AT	Gasoline	4520 cm³	225 hp	165 kW	370 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD
5.0 AT	Gasoline	4973 cm³	240 hp	176 kW	412 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD
560SL 5.6 AT	Gasoline	5547 cm³	230 hp	176 kW	372 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD

Roadster — Mercedes SL-Class Engines and Transmissions

Roadster Mercedes SL-Class Engines and Transmissions
Modification	Engine type	Engine capacity	Maximum power	Maximum power, kw	Maximum torque N⋅m	Transmission	Type of drive
2.8 MT	Gasoline	2746 cm³	177 hp	130 kW	Not provided	Manual	RWD
2.8 AT	Gasoline	2746 cm³	177 hp	130 kW	238 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD
2.8 MT	Gasoline	2746 cm³	185 hp	136 kW	Not provided	Manual	RWD
2.8 AT	Gasoline	2746 cm³	185 hp	136 kW	245 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD
3.5 MT	Gasoline	3499 cm³	195 hp	143 kW	280 N⋅m	Manual	RWD
3.5 AT	Gasoline	3499 cm³	195 hp	143 kW	280 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD
3.5 MT	Gasoline	3499 cm³	200 hp	147 kW	292 N⋅m	Manual	RWD
3.5 AT	Gasoline	3499 cm³	200 hp	147 kW	292 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD
4.5 MT	Gasoline	4520 cm³	225 hp	165 kW	370 N⋅m	Manual	RWD
5.0 MT	Gasoline	4973 cm³	240 hp	176 kW	402 N⋅m	Manual	RWD
3.8 MT	Gasoline	3800 cm³	218 hp	160 kW	305 N⋅m	Manual	RWD
3.8 AT	Gasoline	3839 cm³	218 hp	160 kW	305 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD
4.5 MT	Gasoline	4520 cm³	218 hp	160 kW	370 N⋅m	Manual	RWD
4.5 AT	Gasoline	4520 cm³	218 hp	160 kW	370 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD
4.5 AT	Gasoline	4520 cm³	225 hp	165 kW	370 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD
5.0 AT	Gasoline	4973 cm³	240 hp	176 kW	412 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD
560SL 5.6 AT	Gasoline	5547 cm³	230 hp	176 kW	372 N⋅m	Automatic	RWD

Mercedes SL-Class Dimensions

Coupe — Mercedes SL-Class Dimensions

Coupe Mercedes SL-Class Dimensions
Modification	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight	Max weight	Ground clearance, minimum
2.8 MT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1610 kg	2040 kg	170 mm
2.8 AT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1650 kg	2040 kg	170 mm
2.8 MT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1610 kg	2040 kg	170 mm
2.8 AT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1650 kg	2040 kg	170 mm
3.5 MT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1950 kg	2050 kg	170 mm
3.5 AT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1690 kg	2050 kg	170 mm
3.5 MT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1650 kg	2050 kg	170 mm
3.5 AT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1690 kg	2050 kg	170 mm
4.5 MT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1690 kg	2095 kg	170 mm
5.0 MT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1570 kg	2005 kg	170 mm
3.8 MT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1690 kg	2050 kg	170 mm
3.8 AT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1690 kg	2050 kg	170 mm
4.5 MT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1690 kg	2050 kg	170 mm
4.5 AT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1690 kg	2050 kg	170 mm
4.5 AT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1640 kg	2015 kg	170 mm
5.0 AT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1570 kg	2005 kg	170 mm
560SL 5.6 AT	4750 mm	1790 mm	1330 mm	2820 mm	1715 kg	1945 kg	170 mm

Roadster — Mercedes SL-Class Dimensions

Roadster Mercedes SL-Class Dimensions
Modification	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight	Max weight	Ground clearance, minimum
2.8 MT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1610 kg	2040 kg	170 mm
2.8 AT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1650 kg	2040 kg	170 mm
2.8 MT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1610 kg	2040 kg	170 mm
2.8 AT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1650 kg	2040 kg	170 mm
3.5 MT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1950 kg	2050 kg	170 mm
3.5 AT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1690 kg	2050 kg	170 mm
3.5 MT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1650 kg	2050 kg	170 mm
3.5 AT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1690 kg	2050 kg	170 mm
4.5 MT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1690 kg	2095 kg	170 mm
5.0 MT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1570 kg	2005 kg	170 mm
3.8 MT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1690 kg	2050 kg	170 mm
3.8 AT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1690 kg	2050 kg	170 mm
4.5 MT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1690 kg	2050 kg	170 mm
4.5 AT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1690 kg	2050 kg	170 mm
4.5 AT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1640 kg	2015 kg	170 mm
5.0 AT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1570 kg	2005 kg	170 mm
560SL 5.6 AT	4390 mm	1790 mm	1300 mm	2460 mm	1715 kg	Not provided	170 mm