Performance Review: Mercedes 600 Coupe W100 - [1965]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes 600 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes 600 Coupe W100 is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1965. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the 1966 AC Cobra 427.This particular Mercedes 600 has a 6332cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 600 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 600'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 2450 kgs (5401 lbs) this makes the Mercedes 600 Coupe W100 in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes 600 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 6332cc 16V V8 engine produces 247 bhp (184 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 369 lb-ft (500.2 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes 600 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (125.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes 600.

The Mercedes 600 has a Power to weight ratio of 100.8 bhp per ton and 150.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1965 600 competing with the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (125.8 bhp per ton) or the 1975 Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800 (125.8 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 600 generating around 150.6 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 Ford RS200 1.8T 16V (175.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 Performance Pack (175.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.3 secs, this made the Mercedes 600 Coupe W100 as fast as the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the or the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs). This Mercedes 600 Coupe W100 is also faster than the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (9.10 secs) the 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.10 secs) the 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 (9.10 secs) the and the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (9.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 600 and the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Hemi

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes 600 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.66 secs @ 77.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Hemi (17.58 secs), the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (17.60 secs), and the 1957 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 (17.60 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1965 version of the Mercedes 600 Coupe W100 has a maximum speed of 127mph.

Top Speed of the 1965 600 equals the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1965 Mercedes 600 Coupe W100 then how about the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph), the 2008 Audi A3 2.0tdi Quattro S-Line (138 mph), or the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182 (138 mph).

Related Links:

1965 600 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison