The Mercedes R230 SL might’ve slipped under the radar for many years, but it’s safe to say the car’s most definitely an attainable modern classic now. As Mercedes-Benz brought in the new SL in the early noughties, its metal-folding roof was a first for the SL line, and the move away from Bruno Sacco’s magical design of the R129 was pretty apparent, too. As critics, commentators, and most importantly, those who bought and lived with the R230 will…
The Mercedes R230 SL might’ve slipped under the radar for many years, but it’s safe to say the car’s most definitely an attainable modern classic now. As Mercedes-Benz brought in the new SL in the early noughties, its metal-folding roof was a first for the SL line, and the move away from Bruno Sacco’s magical design of the R129 was pretty apparent, too. As critics, commentators, and most importantly, those who bought and lived with the R230 will agree, it was worthy of the SL monicker. Now as Mercedes-Benz, or rather Mercedes-AMG, rolls its sleeves to despatch the latest SL, we thought it’d be a great idea to take a look at the R230 — a car with which Mercedes-Benz made monumental progress.
Not just a great, abundantly powerful engine, the Mercedes R230 was also bestowed with features that made the SL way ahead of its time. It was positioned as a top-spec luxury GT, which means the inclusion of launching a car loaded to the gills was unsurprising. Mercedes-Benz didn’t just stop there, though. From leather and memory seats, automatic climate control to the electrically adjustable steering wheel, there was something to be amazed by, even if you were a regular in the segment.