Performance Review: Mercedes SLC 350 C107 - [1971]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SLC Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SLC 350 C107 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1971. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible and the 1971 Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible.This particular Mercedes SLC has a 3499cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The SLC 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 SLC's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe 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 1595 kgs (3516 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SLC 350 C107 in the same weight category as the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SLC shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 3499cc 16V V8 engine produces 200 bhp (149 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 211 lb-ft (286.0 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes SLC you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (150.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes SLC.

The Mercedes SLC has a Power to weight ratio of 125.3 bhp per ton and 132.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1971 SLC competing with the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (150.2 bhp per ton) or the 1970 Alfa-Romeo Montreal 2.6 V8 Coupe (150.1 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 SLC generating around 132.2 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 2009 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0T GTi 16V (157.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2010 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI DSG (157.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.3 secs, this made the Mercedes SLC 350 C107 as fast as the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the or the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs). This Mercedes SLC 350 C107 is also faster than the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (9.10 secs) the 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.10 secs) the 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 (9.10 secs) the and the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (9.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SLC and the 1966 DeTomaso Mangusta 4.9 V8

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SLC on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.51 secs @ 82.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1966 DeTomaso Mangusta 4.9 V8 (16.45 secs), the 1972 Jaguar E Type 5.3 V12 (16.46 secs), and the 2008 Mazda RX8 R3 231ps (16.46 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1971 version of the Mercedes SLC 350 C107 has a maximum speed of 127mph.

Top Speed of the 1971 SLC equals the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1971 Mercedes SLC 350 C107 then how about the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph), the 2008 Audi A3 2.0tdi Quattro S-Line (138 mph), or the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182 (138 mph).

Related Links:

1971 SLC Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison