2003 Mercedes-Benz SL 350 Mille Miglia Edition

Mercedes-Benz presents a captivating new special-edition model of the 180-kW/245-hp SL 350 recalling the legendary Italian car race, the Mille Miglia. The new model will be offered in an exclusive limited-production series of twelve units.

The Mille Miglia Edition 2003 boasts a number of features which emphasise its exclusive status, including special Silver Arrow metallic paint, waistline trim strips in aluminium with a dull lustre, eye-catching 18-inch light-alloy wheels, wide tyres (front: 255/40 ZR 18, rear: 285/35 ZR 18) and Mille Miglia badges on the front-wing ventilation gills and the boot lid. A glass version of the innovative vario-roof, which transforms the SL-Class from open-top roadster to weatherproof coupÃ© at the touch of a button, is fitted on the special-edition model, allowing the passengers to enjoy a unique panoramic view of the world.

Top-quality two-tone nappa leather appointments are one of the hallmarks of the special-edition interior. The seats come in classic red, a trend-setting feature of the legendary SL sports car of the 1950s. The roof lining is adorned with soft Alcantara and the trim elements on the centre console and doors are distinguished by aluminium with a dull lustre.

The designers used innovative laser technology to incorporate both the Mille Miglia logo and a depiction of the route for the 1000-mile race into the leather covers of the head restraints, creating another highly distinctive charac-teristic for the exclusive special-edition SL. Opening the doors reveals illuminated stainless-steel door sill panels bearing Mille Miglia Edition 2003 lettering, a feature they share with the chrome badge on the automatic transmission selector lever.

The special-edition model is fitted with a wide range of equipment as standard, including the control and display system COMAND, parking aid PARKTRONIC, multicontour backrests, CD changer, sound system and electrically folding exterior mirrors. The powerful V6 engine under the bonnet is linked to a five-speed automatic transmission as standard.

The Mille Miglia was first run in 1927 and a further 23 editions of the race followed in the years up to 1957. Mercedes-Benz contested the race for the first time in 1952, with Karl Kling driving his 300 SL to second place in the overall classification. In 1955, Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson took the race victory in a 300 SLR, with Juan Manuel Fangio following them home in second.

Story by DaimlerChrysler

2003 Mercedes-Benz SL 350 Mille Miglia Edition

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
engine	V6
position	Front Longitudinal
aspiration	Natural
valvetrain	SOHC 3 Valves per Cyl
fuel feed	Microprocessor-controlled Petrol Injection
displacement	3724 cc / 227.3 in³
bore	97 mm / 3.82 in
stroke	84 mm / 3.31 in
compression	10.0:1
power	182.7 kw / 245 bhp
specific output	65.79 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	139.6 bhp per tonne
torque	350 nm / 258.1 ft lbs @ 3000-4500 rpm
body / frame	Steel
driven wheels	RWD
front brakes	Internally Vented Discs w/ABS, ESP
f brake size	mm / in
rear brakes	Solid Discs w/ABS, ESP
r brake size	mm / in
front wheels	F 45.7 x 21.6 cm / 18 x 8.5 in
rear wheels	R 45.7 x 21.6 cm / 18 x 8.5 in
steering	Rack & Pinoin w/Speed Sensitive Assist
f suspension	Four-Link w/Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar
r suspension	Mulit-Link w/Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar
curb weight	1755 kg / 3869 lbs
wheelbase	2560 mm / 100.8 in
front track	1559 mm / 61.4 in
rear track	1547 mm / 60.9 in
length	4535 mm / 178.5 in
width	1815 mm / 71.5 in
height	1317 mm / 51.9 in
transmission	6-speed SEQUENTRONIC
gear ratios	4.46:1, 2.61:1, 1.71:1, 1.25:1, 1.00:1, 0.84:1, :1
top speed	~250 kph / 155.3 mph
0 – 60 mph	~7.1 seconds