transmission; previous transmission was hydraulic 4-speed Xenon HID headlamps standard on SL 600, optional on SL 500 Addition of side airbags During 1996 for model year 1997, cars were the first year to have an option of the panoramic roof. Also newly available: A new front-seat occupant-detection sensor could deactivate the right-side airbag when it determined that the passenger seat held less than 26 pounds "Sport" package became an option Automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers standard Three-way programmable garage door opener "HomeLink" transmitters built into the rear-view mirror Replaced the earlier climate control panel with one with a much larger LCD Remote control uses dual infrared (IR) and radio (RF) control A second facelift occurred in 1998 for model year 1999 which featured: V8 engine switch from M119 to M113 Soft Nappa leather seats replace the perforated leather seats New steering wheel design Body colour door handles Taillights with curved faces replacing the classic square ribbed lights 17-inch wheels standard: Wheels are now 8.25 x 17" with 245/45ZR17 tyres. Sport package is 8" (front) and 9" (rear) x 18" with 245/40 and 275/35 tyres respectively. Fiber-Optic digital audio links to the CD player instead of analogue copper One-touch starting- called "Tip-start". Once the key is turned, the engine cranks on its own until it catches and starts. Instrument cluster now has silver rings around each gauge Oil pressure gauge replaced by oil temperature Different engine vanity cover Removed the automatic lock on the left rear storage compartment which houses the Bose subwoofer Passenger side storage net on transmission tunnel Engine history Initially, there were three different engines available, 300 SL with a M103 3.0 L 12-valve SOHC I6 ( at 5,700 rpm), 300 SL-24 with a M104 3.0 L 24-valve DOHC I6 ( at 6,300 rpm), 500 SL with a M119 5.0 L 32-valve DOHC V8 ( at 5,500 rpm), and joined in July 1992 by the 600 SL with a M120 6.0 L 48-valve DOHC V12 ( at 5,200 rpm). There was a choice of 5-speed manual or 4–5 speed automatic for the six-cylinder cars; the V8 and V12 could only be ordered with a 4-speed automatic gearbox. In autumn 1993 Mercedes-Benz rearranged names and models. Also, the 300 SL and 300 SL-24 were respectively replaced by: SL 280 with a M104 2.8 L 24-valve DOHC I6 ( at 5,500 rpm), SL 320 with a M104 3.2 L 24-valve DOHC