Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 190SL W121 - [1954]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 190SL W121 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 SL Class has a 1897cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The SL Class shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the SL Class's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet 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 1140 kgs (2513 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 190SL W121 in the same weight category as the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SL Class shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 1897cc 8V St4 engine produces 104 bhp (77 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp) or the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 114 lb-ft (154.5 Nm) @ 3800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1989 Ford Sierra XR4X4 (116.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes SL Class.

The Mercedes SL Class has a Power to weight ratio of 91.2 bhp per ton and 100.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1954 SL Class competing with the 1989 Ford Sierra XR4X4 (116.2 bhp per ton) or the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette C1 235 Convertible (116.2 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 SL Class generating around 100.0 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 1992 Ford Taurus 3.0 V6 SHO (125.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1974 Maserati Quattroporte II Tipo 130 3.0 V6 (125.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 13.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 13.7 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 190SL W121 as fast as the 1964 Austin-Healey Sprite MKIII AN8 (13.30 secs) the 1970 Skoda UVMV 1100 GT (13.40 secs) the 1963 Porsche 356 C 1.6 Coupe (13.50 secs) the or the 1959 Porsche 356 B 1600S Super (13.50 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 190SL W121 is also faster than the 1970 Skoda UVMV 1100 GT (13.40 secs) the 1963 Porsche 356 C 1.6 Coupe (13.50 secs) the 1959 Porsche 356 B 1600S Super (13.50 secs) the and the 1967 Triumph Spitfire Mk 3 (13.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 1993 BMW 8 Series 840Ci 4.0 V8 2d Auto

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.24 secs @ 75.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 BMW 8 Series 840Ci 4.0 V8 2d Auto (18.17 secs), the 1990 Ford Fiesta RS Turbo (18.17 secs), and the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (18.17 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1954 version of the Mercedes SL Class 190SL W121 has a maximum speed of 107mph.

Top Speed of the 1954 SL Class equals the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (118 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1954 Mercedes SL Class 190SL W121 then how about the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (118 mph), the 1991 Peugeot 205 Rallye 1.3 8v (118 mph), or the 1989 Ford Fiesta XR2i (118 mph).

Related Links:

1954 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison