Performance Review: Mercedes 600 SEL V140 - [1991]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes 600 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes 600 SEL V140 is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1991. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.This particular Mercedes 600 has a 5987cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The 600 shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 600's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon 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 2230 kgs (4916 lbs) this makes the Mercedes 600 SEL V140 in the same weight category as the 2022 Aston-Martin DBX 707 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes 600 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp)

In terms of power the 5987cc 48V V12 engine produces 402 bhp (299 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 428 lb-ft (580.2 Nm) @ 3800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 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 2009 Ford Focus 2.5 RS (205.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes 600.

The Mercedes 600 has a Power to weight ratio of 180.2 bhp per ton and 191.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1991 600 competing with the 2009 Ford Focus 2.5 RS (205.1 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Porsche Macan 3.6 Turbo (205.1 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 191.9 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 1967 Plymouth Fury 384 (216.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1968 Lamborghini Islero 3.9L V12 (216.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.9 secs, this made the Mercedes 600 SEL V140 as fast as the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (6.70 secs) the 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.70 secs) the 2012 Dodge Charger SXT Blacktop 3.6L V6 (6.70 secs) the or the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (6.70 secs). This Mercedes 600 SEL V140 is also faster than the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT AWD 3.7 V6 (6.80 secs) the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (6.80 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Countrman (6.80 secs) the and the 2010 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI DSG (6.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 600 and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 DSG

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes 600 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.56 secs @ 94.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 DSG (14.49 secs), the 2007 Honda S2000 2.2 Type S (14.50 secs), and the 2011 Ford Focus Wagon ST (14.50 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1991 version of the Mercedes 600 SEL V140 has a maximum speed of 159mph.

Top Speed of the 1991 600 equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (170 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1991 Mercedes 600 SEL V140 then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (170 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (170 mph), or the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 3.5 V6 (170 mph).

Related Links:

1991 600 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison