Performance Review: Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing Coupe - [1954]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes 300 SL Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing Coupe is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1954. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1954 Jaguar D Type 3.4L and the 1955 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 1.This particular Mercedes 300 SL has a 2996cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 300 SL shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 300 SL's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1295 kgs (2854 lbs) this makes the Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing Coupe in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes 300 SL shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2996cc 12V St6 engine produces 215 bhp (160 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 203 lb-ft (275.2 Nm) @ 4600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes 300 SL you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 (191.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes 300 SL.

The Mercedes 300 SL has a Power to weight ratio of 166.0 bhp per ton and 156.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1954 300 SL competing with the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 (191.0 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (191.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mercedes 300 SL generating around 156.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1985 Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am (181.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Porsche Macan S 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (181.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.2 secs, this made the Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing Coupe as fast as the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs). This Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing Coupe is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the and the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 300 SL and the 1987 Ford Sierra RS 500

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes 300 SL on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.9 secs @ 91.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1987 Ford Sierra RS 500 (14.85 secs), the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000 GT (14.86 secs), and the 1971 Dodge Dart Demon Sport Coupe 5.5 V8 340 (14.86 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1954 version of the Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing Coupe has a maximum speed of 146mph.

Top Speed of the 1954 300 SL equals the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1954 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing Coupe then how about the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph), the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 360 (157 mph), or the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 320 (157 mph).

Related Links:

1954 300 SL Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison