June 02, 2003

• High-quality luxury appointments on the basis of the SL 350
• Special metallic paintwork, 18-inch wheels and panoramic glass vario-roof
• Exquisite nappa leather in two color shades, plus COMAND and sound system

Stuttgart - 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 emphases its exclusive status, including special "Silver Arrow" metallic paint, waistline trim strips in aluminum with a dull luster, eye-catching 18-inch light-alloy wheels, wide tires (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 coupé 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 center console and doors are distinguished by aluminum with a dull luster.

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 characteristic 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, multicontor 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.