Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 450SL V8 R107 - [1975]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 450SL V8 R107 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1975. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1976 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 and the 1975 Lotus Esprit S1 2.0.This particular Mercedes SL Class has a 4520cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The SL Class 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 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 1580 kgs (3483 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 450SL V8 R107 in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 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 4520cc 16V V8 engine produces 214 bhp (159 kW) @ 5000 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 V8 throws out 266 lb-ft (360.6 Nm) @ 3250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 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 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (160.3 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 135.4 bhp per ton and 168.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1975 SL Class competing with the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (160.3 bhp per ton) or the 1984 Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo (160.2 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 168.3 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 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type UK - Hawkeye (193.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Renault Megane RenaultSport 275 Trophy (193.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.3 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 450SL V8 R107 as fast as the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the or the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 450SL V8 R107 is also faster than the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (9.10 secs) the 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.10 secs) the 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 (9.10 secs) the and the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (9.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.09 secs @ 85.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1 (16.02 secs), the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (16.02 secs), and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (16.03 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1975 version of the Mercedes SL Class 450SL V8 R107 has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1975 SL Class equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1975 Mercedes SL Class 450SL V8 R107 then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

1975 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison