Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 600SL V12 R129 - [1992]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 600SL V12 R129 is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1992. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.This particular Mercedes SL Class has a 5987cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The SL Class shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. 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 2070 kgs (4563 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 600SL V12 R129 in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SL Class shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 5987cc 48V V12 engine produces 389 bhp (290 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 420 lb-ft (569.4 Nm) @ 3800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 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 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 396 Sport Coupe 350hp 4speed 1st Gen (212.9 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 187.9 bhp per ton and 202.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1992 SL Class competing with the 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 396 Sport Coupe 350hp 4speed 1st Gen (212.9 bhp per ton) or the 1966 Jaguar E Type 2+2 4.2L (212.8 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 202.8 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 Macan 3.0 Diesel S Sport (227.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1971 Lamborghini Miura P4000 SV (227.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.1 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 600SL V12 R129 as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 600SL V12 R129 is also faster than the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (6.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive LCI Touring F31

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.37 secs @ 95.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive LCI Touring F31 (14.32 secs), the 2014 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Convertible (14.33 secs), and the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (14.35 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1992 version of the Mercedes SL Class 600SL V12 R129 has a maximum speed of 157mph.

Top Speed of the 1992 SL Class equals the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (168 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1992 Mercedes SL Class 600SL V12 R129 then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (168 mph), the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (168 mph), or the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (168 mph).

Related Links:

1992 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison