Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG V8 - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG V8 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 Lamborghini Veneno 6.5 V12.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 V8 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 530 bhp (395 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 590 lb-ft (799.9 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (568 lb-ft) or the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (590 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 2006 Mercedes CLK DTM Cabriolet (311.9 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 287.2 bhp per ton and 319.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 SL Class competing with the 2006 Mercedes CLK DTM Cabriolet (311.9 bhp per ton) or the 2019 Jaguar F Type R 5.0 V8 Supercharged (311.8 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 319.7 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 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 8.3 V10 (344.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2000 Caterham 7 Superlight R500 (344.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.3 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG V8 as fast as 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 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (4.20 secs) the or the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (4.20 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG V8 is also faster than the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the and the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (4.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 1965 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 3.9L V12

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.59 secs @ 108.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1965 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 3.9L V12 (12.54 secs), the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel VXR8 Tourer 6.2 V8 (12.54 secs), and the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo 982 (12.54 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG V8 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 SL Class equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 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 V8 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2012 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison