Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Performance Package - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Performance Package is the 7 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 W-Motors Lykan HyperSport 3.7L Twin Turbo.This particular Mercedes SL Class has a 5461cc 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 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 1845 kgs (4067 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Performance Package in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SL Class shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 5461cc 32V V8 engine produces 556 bhp (414 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V8 throws out 664 lb-ft (900.2 Nm) @ 2250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (664 lb-ft) or the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (664 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 2003 Noble M12 GTO 3R (325.9 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 301.3 bhp per ton and 359.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 SL Class competing with the 2003 Noble M12 GTO 3R (325.9 bhp per ton) or the 1991 Jaguar XJ 220 (325.0 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 359.8 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 2011 BAC Mono 280bhp (383.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Ferrari Roma 3.9 V8 Turbo (381.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.2 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Performance Package as fast as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW XM 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo G09 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (4.10 secs) the or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.10 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Performance Package is also faster than the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.20 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (4.20 secs) the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (4.20 secs) the and the 2020 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 2010 Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 2.5 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.4 secs @ 110.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2010 Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 2.5 Turbo (12.34 secs), the 2009 Porsche Boxster 3.4 Spyder PDK 987 (12.34 secs), and the 2013 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo S-Tronic (12.35 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Performance Package has a maximum speed of 186mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 SL Class equals the 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Pure Edition R35 (197 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Performance Package then how about the 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Pure Edition R35 (197 mph), the 2012 Nissan Skyline GTR R35 (197 mph), or the 2012 Audi R8 Plus S-Tronic 5.2 V10 (197 mph).

Related Links:

2012 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison