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Description
The R129, introduced in 1989, returned the model to exclusively 2-seater status as were the gen 1 and gen 2 SL-Class vehicles prior to 1964. The R129 was the first Mercedes-Benz model to feature a button-activated, fully automatic, hydraulically-operated folding roof, V8 and (later) V12 engines with four valves per cylinder and projector lens HID headlamps (introduced in 1995). The R129 was the first convertible/roadster to be fitted with automatic rollbar deployment in the event of rollover. The…
The R129, introduced in 1989, returned the model to exclusively 2-seater status as were the gen 1 and gen 2 SL-Class vehicles prior to 1964. The R129 was the first Mercedes-Benz model to feature a button-activated, fully automatic, hydraulically-operated folding roof, V8 and (later) V12 engines with four valves per cylinder and projector lens HID headlamps (introduced in 1995). The R129 was the first convertible/roadster to be fitted with automatic rollbar deployment in the event of rollover. The rollbar could also be raised or lowered with a touch of button if desired. The automatic rollbar facilitated safety and security of the occupants without compromising the clean look of the R129. In 1992, R129 was the first SL-Class to have a V12 engine option (600 SL/SL 600) and to have official AMG variants (500 SL 6.0 AMG, SL 60 AMG (V8), SL 70 AMG (V12), SL 73 AMG (V12), and then SL 55 AMG (V8)). The R129 was the last SL-Class to be offered with a manual gearbox.
For the US market, R129 was the first SL-Class to be offered with six-cylinder inline engine from 300 SL-24 (named as 300SL) since the 1971. For 1995, a larger 3.2-litre engine was introduced in SL 320 and was later dropped from the US market in 1998. The more powerful V8 and V12 engines were more popular in the US.
In 1994, a minor cosmetic and technical updates and new nomenclature were introduced to the R129 while the engine options were revised. The 3.0-litre six inline engines, initially fitted with 12-valve (300 SL) and 24-valve (300 SL-24) heads, was revised to one engine in two displacements (2.8 and 3.2 litres) with both utilizing a 24-valve head. The V8 and V12 were carried over with no changes. 300 SL and 300 SL-24 became SL 280 and SL 320 while 500 SL and 600 SL were renamed as SL 500 and SL 600.
In 1998, R129 received the major cosmetic and technical updates with revised engines to include the V6, V8, and V12 engines from the new W220 S-Class. All of those updated engines had three valves and two spark plugs per cylinder.
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