Performance Review: Mercedes 600 W-100 - [1964]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes 600 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes 600 W-100 is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1964. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the 1964 Jaguar XJ 13 5.0 V12.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, 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 2475 kgs (5456 lbs) this makes the Mercedes 600 W-100 in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes 600 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 6332cc 16V V8 engine produces 304 bhp (226 kW) @ 4100 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 434 lb-ft (588.4 Nm) @ 3000 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 1985 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (147.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes 600.

The Mercedes 600 has a Power to weight ratio of 122.8 bhp per ton and 175.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1964 600 competing with the 1985 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (147.8 bhp per ton) or the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (147.8 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 175.3 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 1984 Chevrolet Corvette C4 350 (200.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 1991 Bentley Continental R 6.8 V8 Turbo (200.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.5 secs, this made the Mercedes 600 W-100 as fast as the 2007 Toyota Yaris 1.8L TS (9.20 secs) the 1987 Citroen AX GT 1.4 (9.20 secs) the 1985 Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am (9.20 secs) the or the 1982 Ford Granada 2.8i V6 (9.20 secs). This Mercedes 600 W-100 is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (9.30 secs) the 2000 Alfa-Romeo 166 2.0 ts (9.30 secs) the 1993 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 GSi 16V (9.30 secs) the and the 1991 Peugeot 205 Rallye 1.3 8v (9.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 600 and the 1972 Jaguar E Type 5.3 V12

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes 600 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.53 secs @ 82.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1972 Jaguar E Type 5.3 V12 (16.46 secs), the 2008 Mazda RX8 R3 231ps (16.46 secs), and the 2002 Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6 (16.47 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1964 version of the Mercedes 600 W-100 has a maximum speed of 127mph.

Top Speed of the 1964 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 1964 Mercedes 600 W-100 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:

1964 600 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison