Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 280SL W113 - [1970]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 280SL W113 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1970. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8.This particular Mercedes SL Class has a 2778cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The SL Class 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 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 1360 kgs (2998 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 280SL W113 in the same weight category as the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SL Class shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 2778cc 12V St6 engine produces 168 bhp (125 kW) @ 5750 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 177 lb-ft (239.9 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 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 1986 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v (148.5 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 123.5 bhp per ton and 130.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1970 SL Class competing with the 1986 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v (148.5 bhp per ton) or the 2001 Jaguar X Type 3.0 V6 Sport (148.5 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 130.1 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 2013 Porsche Panamera S E Hybrid 3.0 V6 (155.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1979 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade 4.2L (155.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.1 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 280SL W113 as fast as the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Zafira Tourer CDTi BiTurbo (8.80 secs) the the 2002 Toyota Camry 3.0 V6 (8.80 secs) the or the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX (8.80 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 280SL W113 is also faster than the 2008 Audi A4 1.8T Avant (8.90 secs) the 2005 Suzuki Swift 1.6 VVT Sport (8.90 secs) the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Omega 3.2 V6 Automatic (8.90 secs) the and the 1990 Alfa-Romeo 33 1.7 Boxer Cloverleaf (8.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 1991 Audi Coupe S2 2.2T Quattro

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.43 secs @ 83.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1991 Audi Coupe S2 2.2T Quattro (16.36 secs), the 2000 Renault Clio 2.0 16V 172 Cup (16.36 secs), and the 2011 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa VXR OPC Nurburgring 1.6Turbo (16.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1970 version of the Mercedes SL Class 280SL W113 has a maximum speed of 124mph.

Top Speed of the 1970 SL Class equals the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1970 Mercedes SL Class 280SL W113 then how about the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (135 mph).

Related Links:

1970 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison