The London Concours 2025, held from June 3rd to 5th at the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) in London, will feature a special showcase celebrating 70 years of the Mercedes-Benz SL. Curated by the Goodwood Road Racing Club, this display will present ten iconic SL models, highlighting the evolution of this legendary series.
Mercedes-Benz SL: A Legacy of Innovation and Style
Since its inception in 1954, the Mercedes-Benz SL has been synonymous with luxury, performance, and cutting-edge design. The SL, standing for “Super Leicht” or “Super Light,” has continually set benchmarks in the grand touring segment.
The showcase will feature the following ten models, each representing a significant chapter in the SL’s storied history:
Mercedes-Benz 190 SL
Introduced in 1955, the 190 SL offered a more accessible entry into the world of Mercedes-Benz open-top motoring. While it shared some styling cues with the 300 SL, it was built on a different platform and featured a more conventional 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine. This powerplant produced around 104 horsepower, making the 190 SL a relaxed cruiser rather than a full-blown sports car. It was designed for comfortable touring, blending elegant design with everyday usability. The 190 SL proved immensely popular, selling over 25,000 units during its production run. It brought the allure of the SL badge to a wider audience, establishing the precedent for a more luxurious and refined roadster. Its charm and timeless design have made it a beloved classic.
Mercedes-Benz 230 SL
Launched in 1963, the 230 SL, known as the “Pagoda” due to its distinctive hardtop, introduced safety innovations and refined styling. This design element was not only stylish but also offered excellent visibility and improved structural rigidity. The 230 SL, the first in this series, featured a 2.3-litre inline-six engine producing 150 horsepower. It focused on safety, being the first sports car with a rigid passenger cell and crumple zones. The ‘Pagoda’ was a departure from the raw sports car feel of the 300 SL, leaning more towards a comfortable grand tourer. It offered a sophisticated driving experience, blending elegance with practicality. Its balanced performance, beautiful lines, and enhanced safety features made it a timeless classic, popular with discerning buyers then and sought after by collectors now.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Debuting in 1954, the 300 SL Gullwing, often referred to as the “Gullwing,” is nothing short of legendary. Introduced in 1954, it was directly derived from Mercedes-Benz’s highly successful W194 racing car. Its most striking feature, of course, is its distinctive upward-opening gullwing doors, necessitated by the car’s innovative tubular spaceframe chassis. Beyond its stunning aesthetics, the 300 SL was a technological marvel. It was the first production car to feature direct fuel injection, contributing to its impressive 215 horsepower output. This allowed it to achieve a top speed of over 160 mph, making it the fastest production car of its time. The 300 SL quickly became a symbol of German engineering prowess and a highly sought-after collector’s item. Its racing pedigree and groundbreaking features ensured its place in automotive history.
Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
Following the success of the Gullwing, Mercedes-Benz introduced the 300 SL Roadster in 1957. While retaining the powerful 3.0-litre engine and advanced chassis, the Roadster offered an open-top experience. This necessitated revisions to the space-frame to accommodate conventional doors, making the car more accessible. The Roadster provided a refined cruising experience without sacrificing performance. It offered a different kind of luxury, allowing occupants to enjoy the open air. The Roadster became a favourite among celebrities and enthusiasts alike, solidifying the SL’s reputation as a glamorous and capable grand tourer. Its elegant lines and superb engineering ensured its place as a classic.
Mercedes-Benz 350 SL
Released in 1971, the 350 SL featured a V8 engine and became a symbol of luxury and reliability throughout its production run. The 350 SL was among the first in this series, powered by a 3.5-litre V8. Its design was more angular and muscular, reflecting the automotive trends of the 1970s. The R107 was built to withstand tougher US safety regulations, leading to a more robust construction. It offered a grand touring experience, excelling on long journeys with its comfortable ride and powerful engine. The R107 proved incredibly popular, enjoying a remarkably long production run of 18 years. It became a symbol of status and reliable luxury, appealing to a wide range of buyers. This generation solidified the SL’s role as a sophisticated personal luxury car.
Mercedes-Benz SL 500
Launched in 1989, the SL500 introduced advanced technology, including automatic roll bars and adaptive suspension. Its sleek, contemporary design, penned by Bruno Sacco, was instantly appealing. The 500 SL was a technological tour de force, featuring a host of innovations including an automatically deploying roll-over bar, integral seats, and adaptive damping. Power came from a potent 5.0-litre V8 engine producing 326 horsepower, ensuring brisk performance. The R129 was a blend of sophisticated engineering and refined luxury, offering an exceptional driving experience. It also introduced an electro-hydraulic folding hardtop, a revolutionary feature that made it a truly versatile convertible. The 500 SL was a significant leap forward for the SL lineage, combining cutting-edge technology with timeless elegance.
Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG
This early 2000s model combined luxury with AMG performance, featuring a supercharged V8 engine. Its design was more overtly sporty, featuring the innovative vario-roof, a retractable hardtop that transformed the car from a coupé to a roadster in seconds. The SL 55 AMG, however, took performance to another level. Under its bonnet lay a supercharged 5.4-litre V8 engine, delivering an astonishing 500 horsepower. This power, combined with AMG’s performance tuning, made the SL 55 a true supercar slayer, capable of breathtaking acceleration. It blended high-performance thrills with the luxury and refinement expected of an SL. The SL 55 AMG was a bold statement, showcasing the immense potential of the SL platform when given the full AMG treatment.
Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG Auto
The R231 generation, launched in 2012, continued the SL’s evolution with an emphasis on lightweight construction and dynamic performance. The SL 63 AMG variant further amplified this. It featured a twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 engine, delivering an immense 530 horsepower. This engine provided colossal torque and blistering acceleration. Despite its size, the R231 SL 63 AMG was remarkably agile, thanks to its extensive use of aluminium. It offered an incredible blend of high performance and luxurious refinement. The R231 also included advanced driver assistance systems, enhancing both safety and convenience. The SL 63 AMG embodied the modern high-performance grand tourer, offering a thrilling driving experience with characteristic Mercedes-Benz luxury.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
While not strictly an “SL” in name, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is undeniably a spiritual successor, drawing inspiration from the original 300 SL. This hypercar was a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren, aiming to create a true grand tourer with supercar performance. Its striking design, featuring prominent side exhausts and a long bonnet, paid homage to the 300 SLR racing car. Under that bonnet sat a supercharged 5.4-litre V8 engine, hand-built by AMG, producing an astonishing 617 horsepower. The SLR McLaren was built around a carbon fibre monocoque, offering exceptional rigidity and light weight. It delivered blistering acceleration and a top speed in excess of 200 mph. The SLR McLaren blended cutting-edge Formula 1 technology with Mercedes-Benz luxury, creating a unique and compelling machine. It was a true automotive statement, demonstrating what was possible when two automotive giants combined their expertise.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
The SLS AMG was a phenomenal return to the iconic “Gullwing” doors, acting as a spiritual successor to the legendary 300 SL. Designed and built entirely by AMG, this car was a pure performance machine with a dramatic visual presence. Its long bonnet, short rear deck, and, of course, those distinctive gullwing doors instantly commanded attention. Power came from a naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine, known as the “M159,” which produced a formidable 563 horsepower. This engine was specifically developed for the SLS, featuring dry-sump lubrication for a lower centre of gravity. The SLS AMG offered thrilling performance, a captivating exhaust note, and precise handling. It paid a respectful tribute to its illustrious ancestor while delivering modern supercar capabilities. The SLS AMG solidified AMG’s position as a standalone performance brand and reignited the allure of the gullwing design for a new generation.
Event Details
- Dates: June 3–5, 2025
- Location: Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), London
- Special Feature: 70 Years of the Mercedes-Benz SL showcase
For more information and ticket purchases, visit the London Concours official website.
Share Your Thoughts
Which Mercedes-Benz SL model stands out to you? Do you have a favourite memory associated with any of these iconic cars? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Buy tickets to the 2025 London Concours here.
Please follow and like us: