2015 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS | WDDJK6FA6FF031248
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2015 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS | WDDJK6FA6FF031248
Specifications
6
~$220,000
Engine: 6.0L V12 Biturbo
Torque: 1,000 Nm
0–100 km/h: ~4.0 s
The Mercedes-AMG SL 65 (R231) embodied V12 grand touring excess — a handcrafted, twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter engine pumping out 1,000 Nm of torque and propelling a luxurious roadster to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds, effortlessly and silently unless provoked.
While the aluminum-intensive chassis and Active Body Control (ABC) kept the nearly 2-ton SL poised and flat in corners, its true character was revealed on autobahns and open highways, where it surged forward with limitless torque, delivering a sensation of pure, unhurried domination.
Compared to the sharper, more agile SL 63 AMG, the SL 65 prioritized refinement and muscle over lap times. It featured chrome detailing, V12 badging, and the most opulent interior in the range — complete with Nappa leather, carbon or piano black trims, airscarf, and a fully electric metal folding roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL.
Even outside AMG territory, the SL 500 / SL 550 offered impressive performance (0–100 km/h in ~4.3 s) with V8 biturbo grunt, while the SL 400/450 provided a refined balance of speed and touring capability.
The SL 65 AMG earns its place in the performance registry as the most powerful and prestigious version of the R231, a V12-powered grand tourer that married brute force with timeless elegance — one of the last of its kind before electrification and downsizing took over.
Body Styles
The Mercedes-Benz SL R231 was offered exclusively as a two-door roadster with a power-retractable hardtop. The top mechanism allowed seamless transformation from coupe to convertible in ~20 seconds at speeds up to 40 km/h. The design was defined by a long hood, short rear deck, and a more angular yet elegant interpretation of the SL tradition. Post-2016 facelift models featured updated LED lighting, more aggressive bumpers, and recontoured grilles inspired by the AMG GT.
The SL retained classic roadster proportions but integrated extensive modern design cues — including chrome air extractors on the fenders, adaptive spoiler, and optional AMG body kits. The aluminum-intensive construction made the R231 up to 140 kg lighter than its predecessor (R230), greatly enhancing handling and efficiency without sacrificing structural integrity or luxury.
Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)
“SL” stands for “Super-Leicht” (Super Light), a reference to the lightweight racing roadsters of the 1950s, such as the 300 SL. Over time, the SL badge evolved into Mercedes’ flagship open-top grand tourer, combining speed, comfort, and innovation. The numerical suffixes (e.g. 400, 500, 63, 65) denote engine class and performance level, with “AMG” variants signifying hand-built powertrains and bespoke chassis tuning by Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach.
Model Name Meaning (Languages)
“SL” is a German acronym with universal recognition, rooted in postwar performance engineering. “Super-Leicht” translates directly as “Super Light”, and while the modern SL is more luxury-oriented, the legacy name still carries associations of dynamic grace and speed. The numbers reflect a naming evolution from engine displacement (e.g. 500 = 5.0L) to performance-tier branding — a practice now common across luxury marques.
Body & Interior Colors and Rims
The R231 was offered in a wide spectrum of exterior paints, including Obsidian Black, Iridium Silver, Diamond White, Brilliant Blue, Selenite Grey, and Magnetite Black. AMG versions added matte colors (Designo Magno) and exclusive metallics like AMG Solarbeam Yellow and Hyacinth Red. Designo special orders allowed near-unlimited customization, including satin finishes and two-tone combinations.
Interior materials ranged from perforated Nappa leather in colors such as Bengal Red, Porcelain, Saddle Brown, and Crystal Grey to exotic trims like Designo Piano Black, AMG Carbon Fiber, or Sunburst Brown Wood. Heated, ventilated, and massaging Active Multicontour seats were standard or optional depending on trim. The optional AIRSCARF® system provided neck-level heating, while the Magic Sky Control glass roof adjusted its tint at the press of a button.
Wheels ranged from standard 18-inch multi-spoke designs on base trims to optional 19- and 20-inch AMG twin-spoke alloys on SL 63 and SL 65. Some AMG versions offered forged wheels, black-accented designs, and red or silver brake calipers. The optional AMG Night Package added gloss black finishes on trim and wheels for an aggressive visual identity.
Top Expensive Options
- Magic Sky Control electrochromic roof: $2,500
- AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package: $4,200
- Designo Nappa Exclusive leather interior: $5,000
- Bang & Olufsen BeoSound premium audio: $6,400
- Driver Assistance Package Plus (DISTRONIC, lane keep, blind spot): $2,950
- AMG Ceramic Composite Brakes (SL 63 only): $8,900
- Night View Assist Plus: $2,260
- Carbon fiber trim with AMG badges: $1,800
- Performance exhaust with variable flaps (SL 63): $1,500
- Exclusive AMG forged wheels (20”): $3,000
vs Competitors
The R231 SL-Class competed against the BMW 6 Series Convertible, Jaguar F-Type R Convertible, Aston Martin Vantage Roadster, and Porsche 911 Cabriolet. Compared to the 6 Series, the SL offered more emotional design, better material quality, and superior roof operation, though the BMW provided rear seating and lower pricing. Against the F-Type, the SL was heavier but more refined and better suited to grand touring, with superior ride isolation and cabin quietness.
In contrast with the Porsche 911 Cabriolet, the SL favored relaxed luxury over razor-sharp handling — though AMG versions brought explosive performance that matched or exceeded the 911 Carrera S. The SL 65 AMG, with its V12 and 1,000 Nm of torque, had no direct rival except perhaps the Ferrari California or Bentley Continental GT — though those played in different philosophical arenas. As a whole, the R231 SL-Class straddled the line between continent-crushing GT and high-tech luxury roadster, offering a distinctly Mercedes take on open-top performance.
Fun Fact
The SL 65 AMG's 6.0L V12 Biturbo engine produced 1,000 Nm of torque, electronically limited to protect the drivetrain — and was hand-assembled by one technician in Affalterbach, who signed each engine with a personalized plaque. This made the SL 65 one of the most powerful rear-wheel-drive convertibles ever produced — capable of 0–100 km/h in ~4 seconds, despite weighing over 2 tons with full options.
Lot Details
Specifications
6
~$220,000
Torque:
0–100 km/h:
The Mercedes-AMG SL 65 (R231) embodied V12 grand touring excess — a handcrafted, twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter engine pumping out 1,000 Nm of torque and propelling a luxurious roadster to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds, effortlessly and silently unless provoked.
While the aluminum-intensive chassis and Active Body Control (ABC) kept the nearly 2-ton SL poised and flat in corners, its true character was revealed on autobahns and open highways, where it surged forward with limitless torque, delivering a sensation of pure, unhurried domination.
Compared to the sharper, more agile SL 63 AMG, the SL 65 prioritized refinement and muscle over lap times. It featured chrome detailing, V12 badging, and the most opulent interior in the range — complete with Nappa leather, carbon or piano black trims, airscarf, and a fully electric metal folding roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL.
Even outside AMG territory, the SL 500 / SL 550 offered impressive performance (0–100 km/h in ~4.3 s) with V8 biturbo grunt, while the SL 400/450 provided a refined balance of speed and touring capability.
The SL 65 AMG earns its place in the performance registry as the most powerful and prestigious version of the R231, a V12-powered grand tourer that married brute force with timeless elegance — one of the last of its kind before electrification and downsizing took over.
Body Styles
The Mercedes-Benz SL R231 was offered exclusively as a two-door roadster with a power-retractable hardtop. The top mechanism allowed seamless transformation from coupe to convertible in ~20 seconds at speeds up to 40 km/h. The design was defined by a long hood, short rear deck, and a more angular yet elegant interpretation of the SL tradition. Post-2016 facelift models featured updated LED lighting, more aggressive bumpers, and recontoured grilles inspired by the AMG GT.
The SL retained classic roadster proportions but integrated extensive modern design cues — including chrome air extractors on the fenders, adaptive spoiler, and optional AMG body kits. The aluminum-intensive construction made the R231 up to 140 kg lighter than its predecessor (R230), greatly enhancing handling and efficiency without sacrificing structural integrity or luxury.
Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)
“SL” stands for “Super-Leicht” (Super Light), a reference to the lightweight racing roadsters of the 1950s, such as the 300 SL. Over time, the SL badge evolved into Mercedes’ flagship open-top grand tourer, combining speed, comfort, and innovation. The numerical suffixes (e.g. 400, 500, 63, 65) denote engine class and performance level, with “AMG” variants signifying hand-built powertrains and bespoke chassis tuning by Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach.
Model Name Meaning (Languages)
“SL” is a German acronym with universal recognition, rooted in postwar performance engineering. “Super-Leicht” translates directly as “Super Light”, and while the modern SL is more luxury-oriented, the legacy name still carries associations of dynamic grace and speed. The numbers reflect a naming evolution from engine displacement (e.g. 500 = 5.0L) to performance-tier branding — a practice now common across luxury marques.
Body & Interior Colors and Rims
The R231 was offered in a wide spectrum of exterior paints, including Obsidian Black, Iridium Silver, Diamond White, Brilliant Blue, Selenite Grey, and Magnetite Black. AMG versions added matte colors (Designo Magno) and exclusive metallics like AMG Solarbeam Yellow and Hyacinth Red. Designo special orders allowed near-unlimited customization, including satin finishes and two-tone combinations.
Interior materials ranged from perforated Nappa leather in colors such as Bengal Red, Porcelain, Saddle Brown, and Crystal Grey to exotic trims like Designo Piano Black, AMG Carbon Fiber, or Sunburst Brown Wood. Heated, ventilated, and massaging Active Multicontour seats were standard or optional depending on trim. The optional AIRSCARF® system provided neck-level heating, while the Magic Sky Control glass roof adjusted its tint at the press of a button.
Wheels ranged from standard 18-inch multi-spoke designs on base trims to optional 19- and 20-inch AMG twin-spoke alloys on SL 63 and SL 65. Some AMG versions offered forged wheels, black-accented designs, and red or silver brake calipers. The optional AMG Night Package added gloss black finishes on trim and wheels for an aggressive visual identity.
Top Expensive Options
- Magic Sky Control electrochromic roof: $2,500
- AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package: $4,200
- Designo Nappa Exclusive leather interior: $5,000
- Bang & Olufsen BeoSound premium audio: $6,400
- Driver Assistance Package Plus (DISTRONIC, lane keep, blind spot): $2,950
- AMG Ceramic Composite Brakes (SL 63 only): $8,900
- Night View Assist Plus: $2,260
- Carbon fiber trim with AMG badges: $1,800
- Performance exhaust with variable flaps (SL 63): $1,500
- Exclusive AMG forged wheels (20”): $3,000
vs Competitors
The R231 SL-Class competed against the BMW 6 Series Convertible, Jaguar F-Type R Convertible, Aston Martin Vantage Roadster, and Porsche 911 Cabriolet. Compared to the 6 Series, the SL offered more emotional design, better material quality, and superior roof operation, though the BMW provided rear seating and lower pricing. Against the F-Type, the SL was heavier but more refined and better suited to grand touring, with superior ride isolation and cabin quietness.
In contrast with the Porsche 911 Cabriolet, the SL favored relaxed luxury over razor-sharp handling — though AMG versions brought explosive performance that matched or exceeded the 911 Carrera S. The SL 65 AMG, with its V12 and 1,000 Nm of torque, had no direct rival except perhaps the Ferrari California or Bentley Continental GT — though those played in different philosophical arenas. As a whole, the R231 SL-Class straddled the line between continent-crushing GT and high-tech luxury roadster, offering a distinctly Mercedes take on open-top performance.
Fun Fact
The SL 65 AMG's 6.0L V12 Biturbo engine produced 1,000 Nm of torque, electronically limited to protect the drivetrain — and was hand-assembled by one technician in Affalterbach, who signed each engine with a personalized plaque. This made the SL 65 one of the most powerful rear-wheel-drive convertibles ever produced — capable of 0–100 km/h in ~4 seconds, despite weighing over 2 tons with full options.