Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 - [1961]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1961. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 and the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.This particular Mercedes SL Class has a 2996cc 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 1329 kgs (2929 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 in the same weight category as the 2020 McLaren 765LT 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 2996cc 12V St6 engine produces 215 bhp (160 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 203 lb-ft (275.2 Nm) @ 4600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (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 1994 Maserati Quattroporte AM337 2.0i V6 Bi Turbo (186.7 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 161.7 bhp per ton and 152.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1961 SL Class competing with the 1994 Maserati Quattroporte AM337 2.0i V6 Bi Turbo (186.7 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Honda S2000 2.2i (186.6 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 152.7 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 1993 Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 3 (177.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2004 Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro (177.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.6 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 as fast as 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 or the 1991 Peugeot 205 Rallye 1.3 8v (9.30 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 is also faster than the 1986 Ford Granada Scorpio 4x4 2.8 V6 (9.40 secs) the 1973 Vauxhall-Opel Firenza Droop Snoot 2.3 Litre (9.40 secs) the 1955 Ford Thunderbird 292 Fordomatic 1st Gen. (9.40 secs) the and the 2001 Alfa-Romeo 147 TS Selespeed (9.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 2005 Chrysler 300 c 5.7 V8

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.03 secs @ 91.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2005 Chrysler 300 c 5.7 V8 (14.96 secs), the 2001 Honda Integra 2.0i VTEC Type R DC5 (14.97 secs), and the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (14.97 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1961 version of the Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 has a maximum speed of 145mph.

Top Speed of the 1961 SL Class equals the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1961 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 then how about the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph), the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (156 mph), or the 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR (156 mph).

Related Links:

1961 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison