Performance Review: Mercedes SLC 450 C107 - [1971]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SLC Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SLC 450 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 4520cc 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 1635 kgs (3604 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SLC 450 C107 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SLC shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 4520cc 16V V8 engine produces 225 bhp (167 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 279 lb-ft (378.2 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 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 1998 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo RT (162.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes SLC.

The Mercedes SLC has a Power to weight ratio of 137.6 bhp per ton and 170.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1971 SLC competing with the 1998 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo RT (162.4 bhp per ton) or the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive28i (162.1 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 170.6 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 1989 Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo SE (195.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1995 Maserati Quattroporte 2.8 V6 (195.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.6 secs, this made the Mercedes SLC 450 C107 as fast as the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the or the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs). This Mercedes SLC 450 C107 is also faster than the 2007 Seat Ibiza 1.8 20vt FR (8.40 secs) the 2006 Peugeot 207 CC GT (8.40 secs) the 2003 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V (8.40 secs) the and the 1996 Peugeot 106 16v GTi (8.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SLC and the 1988 Aston-Martin Virage 5.3 V8 1988

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SLC on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.99 secs @ 85.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1988 Aston-Martin Virage 5.3 V8 1988 (15.92 secs), the 2004 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - EP3 (15.92 secs), and the 2001 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R EP2 - EDM (15.92 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1971 version of the Mercedes SLC 450 C107 has a maximum speed of 134mph.

Top Speed of the 1971 SLC equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1971 Mercedes SLC 450 C107 then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph), the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 Roadster 3.5 V6 (145 mph), or the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (145 mph).

Related Links:

1971 SLC Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison