Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer |
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Also called | Mercedes-AMG SL (2022–present) |
Production | 1954–2020 2022–present |
Assembly |
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Body and chassis | |
Class | Sports car/Grand tourer (S) |
Body style | |
Layout |
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Chronology | |
Predecessor |
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (marketed as Mercedes-AMG SL since 2022) is a grand touring sports car manufactured by Mercedes-Benz since 1954. The designation "SL" derives from the German term "Sport-Leicht", which translates to "Sport Light" in English.
Initially, the first 300 SL was a racing sports car built in 1952 with no intention of developing a street version. In 1954, an American importer Max Hoffman suggested the street version of 300 SL for the wealthy performance car enthusiasts in the United States where the market for the personal luxury car was booming after the Second World War.