Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 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 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged.This particular Mercedes SL Class has a 5980cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The SL Class shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 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 1950 kgs (4299 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 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 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp)

In terms of power the 5980cc 36V V12 engine produces 621 bhp (463 kW) @ 4800 rpm similar to the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp) or the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V12 throws out 738 lb-ft (1000.5 Nm) @ 2300 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (726 lb-ft) or the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C8 (715 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 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (342.8 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 318.4 bhp per ton and 378.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 SL Class competing with the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (342.8 bhp per ton) or the 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet 991 II (342.5 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 378.4 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 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged (401.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 (400.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.0 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 as fast as 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 or the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 is also faster than the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the and the 2020 BMW 4 Series M4 Coupe 3.0 Bi Turbo G82 (4.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.16 secs @ 112.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996 (12.11 secs), the 1974 Maserati Bora 4.9 V8 (12.11 secs), and the 2013 Jaguar F Type S 3.0 V6 (12.11 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 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 65 AMG V12 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