2003 MERCEDES BENZ R230 SL55 AMG ROADSTER – AUTO
Presenting in Zircon Silver with Black leather interior trim.
Delivered new by Canberra Star Motors Pty Ltd of Fyshwick ACT on the 2nd of April 2003.
This example has obviously come to SA early in it life as the service history shows all attention given by the Adelaide Mercedes dealer at the time (BEA Motors) and more recently by Silver Star Service of Richmond SA on the 1st of September 2026 at 68,630kms.
Powered by 5.4 Litre supercharged V8 engine, it produced 369Kw and 700Nm of power and torque, delivered to the rear wheels via a 5 speed auto transmission. Performance figures suggest 0-100kph in 4.5 secs and a governed to speed of 250kph.
By the late 1990s, the previous R129 generation SL-Class had aged, gaining a reputation as a comfortable, heavy luxury car favoured more for country club parking lots than race tracks. Development on the successor began in early 1996, with designers from Germany, California, and Japan submitting hundreds of sketches
The resulting R230 generation debuted at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show. It completely revolutionized the lineage by introducing the “Vario Roof”—a computer-controlled, hydraulic retractable hardtop that seamlessly transformed the car from a rigid coupe to an open-top roadster in just 16 seconds.
The 2003 SL55 AMG became an instant sensation because it completely disrupted the automotive landscape:
The F1 Safety Car:
The car’s raw capabilities were so distinct that it was adopted as the official Formula 1 Safety Car for the 2002 season.
The Jeremy Clarkson Effect:
Famous automotive journalist Jeremy Clarkson famously bought one and lauded it as one of the greatest cars ever made, cementing its pop-culture status.
Accidental Speed Record:
Mercedes engineers revealed that if you removed the electronic speed limiter, the 2003 SL55 AMG could comfortably reach 208 mph (335 kph). At its launch, this briefly made it the fastest conventional automatic transmission road car in the world until the multi-million dollar Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren debuted later in 2003
This Australian delivered SL55 with a comprehensive service history makes a good choice for a high performance modern classic to enjoy, regardless of the weather, top up or down and your favourite road ahead.
Available to inspect on our state of the art showroom floor in Adelaide.
We can arrange transport door to door Australia wide. more
