Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo - [2021]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo is the 9 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2021. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2021 McMurtry Speirling Goodwood and the 2021 Rimac Nevera 1888bhp Electric AWD.This particular Mercedes SL Class has a 3982cc Twin Turbo 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 All Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1950 kgs (4299 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SL Class shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp)

In terms of power the 3982cc 32V V8 engine produces 469 bhp (349 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (493 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V8 throws out 516 lb-ft (699.6 Nm) @ 2250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (524 lb-ft) or the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (535 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 2010 Mastretta MXT 2.0 Turbo (265.5 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 240.5 bhp per ton and 264.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2021 SL Class competing with the 2010 Mastretta MXT 2.0 Turbo (265.5 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Bentley Continental GT Speed (265.5 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 264.6 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 Caterham 7 Superlight R400 (289.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (289.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.9 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo as fast as the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (3.80 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (3.80 secs) the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (3.80 secs) the or the 2020 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition 3.0 Bi Turbo G80 (3.80 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.75 secs @ 107.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air (12.70 secs), the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 5.0 V8 Supercharged (12.70 secs), and the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 250 (12.70 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2021 version of the Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo has a maximum speed of 183mph.

Top Speed of the 2021 SL Class equals the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (194 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo then how about the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (194 mph), the 2020 Mercedes GT AMG 4.0 V8 Bi Turbo (194 mph), or the 2016 NIO EP9 1MW (194 mph).

Related Links:

2021 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison