The 2001 SL was a mix between advanced technologies, performance, and comfort; all packed together into a sexy, open-top roadster fit for long cruises.
Mercedes-Benz introduced the SL (W230) in July 2001, and its look was miles away from its predecessor. The car featured adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency call, the COMMAND infotainment system, and a tire-pressure monitor. In the beginning, the carmaker offered only the SL500, followed by the SL55 AMG in the same year and by the SL350 in 2002, and the twin-turbo SL600.

The car’s exterior continued the idea of twin headlights introduced by the E-Class in 1995 with individual headlamps and continued by the C-Class in 2000. On the SL, the carmaker made it better with clear lenses. Depending on the options, it featured Xenon headlamps. Its grille sported four chromed slats while on the front fenders, the twin-slats vents that resembled the SL300 from the ’50s. Unlike its predecessor, the 2001 model featured a retractable hardtop, which completely disappeared under a tonneau cover behind the cabin.

Inside, Mercedes-Benz installed a leather-clad interior with sport bucket seats. A tall center console divided the cabin in two. In front of the driver, the carmaker installed a four-dial instrument cluster with a unique design. In the center, the carmaker added the speedometer and the tachometer, flanked on the outer sides by the fuel-gauge coolant-temperature gauges. The driver needed only 16 seconds to retract the roof at the touch of a button. Mercedes introduced an option for a glass roof in 2002.

Under the hood, the carmaker installed four engines ranging between a 3.7-liter V-6 and a 5.5-liter V-12. The former was the only one available with a manual transmission. All other versions were paired as standard with a five-speed automatic transmission.