 | In 2001 the SL was new again. The rounded body of the 1990s took on a lower, sharper, more aggressive shape, and AMG details signaled a sportier, performance-minded attitude for the storied grand tourer. A 3.7-liter, 242-hp V6 (Mercedes' first) powered the SL350 (2003-2006), a 5-liter, 302-hp V8 pushed the SL 500 (2001-2006), and the SL600's 5.5-liter, 493-hp V12 (2002-2006) was now turbocharged. The SL55 AMG (5.5-liter, 469-hp) was released in 2002, and the SL65 AMG (6-liter, 604-hp) in 2004. Engines and appearance were sharpened again in a 2006 facelift: the SL350's 3.5-liter V6 was bumped to 268-hp; the SL500's 5.5-liter V8 to 383-hp; the SL600's 5.5-liter V12 BiTurbo to 510-hp; the SL55 AMG to 510-hp (5.5-liter); and the SL65 AMG to 604-hp (6-liter). |
