Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 500SL V8 R107 - [1980]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 500SL V8 R107 is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1980. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo and the 1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTS 937.This particular Mercedes SL Class has a 4973cc 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 1540 kgs (3395 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 500SL V8 R107 in the same weight category as the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 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 4973cc 16V V8 engine produces 237 bhp (176 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (243 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 296 lb-ft (401.3 Nm) @ 3200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 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 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (178.8 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 153.8 bhp per ton and 192.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1980 SL Class competing with the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (178.8 bhp per ton) or the 1999 Porsche Boxster 2.7 Roadster (178.8 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 SL Class generating around 192.2 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 2009 Mercedes S Class 63 L AMG (217.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Maserati Ghibli S Q4 3.0 V6 Turbo (217.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.7 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 500SL V8 R107 as fast as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG (7.50 secs) the or the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 500SL V8 R107 is also faster than the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the and the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 1999 Porsche Boxster 2.7 Roadster

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.42 secs @ 88.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1999 Porsche Boxster 2.7 Roadster (15.36 secs), the 2004 Jaguar XJ 8 4.2 V8 (15.36 secs), and the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (15.36 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1980 version of the Mercedes SL Class 500SL V8 R107 has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 1980 SL Class equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1980 Mercedes SL Class 500SL V8 R107 then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

1980 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison