Performance Review: Mercedes SLR Class McLaren Roadster - [2009]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SLR Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SLR Class McLaren Roadster is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2009. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2010 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 Super Sport and the 2010 Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L V8.This particular Mercedes SLR Class has a 5439cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The SLR 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 SLR 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 1825 kgs (4023 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SLR Class McLaren Roadster 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 SLR Class shares the same bhp with the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp)

In terms of power the 5439cc 24V V8 engine produces 617 bhp (460 kW) @ 6500 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 Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 575 lb-ft (779.5 Nm) @ 5000 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 SLR Class you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2009 Wiesmann GT MF5 (362.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes SLR Class.

The Mercedes SLR Class has a Power to weight ratio of 338.0 bhp per ton and 315.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2009 SLR Class competing with the 2009 Wiesmann GT MF5 (362.3 bhp per ton) or the 2006 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (361.9 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 SLR Class generating around 315.0 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 2001 Radical SR3 1.5 16V (339.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Dodge Viper SRT-10 8.3 V10 (339.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.9 secs, this made the Mercedes SLR Class McLaren Roadster as fast as the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (3.80 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (3.80 secs) the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.80 secs) the or the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (3.80 secs). This Mercedes SLR Class McLaren Roadster is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SLR Class and the 2014 BMW 6 Series 650 4.4 V8

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SLR Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.83 secs @ 115.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2014 BMW 6 Series 650 4.4 V8 (11.78 secs), the 2007 Porsche Cayenne 4.8 Turbo (11.79 secs), and the 2013 Maserati Ghibli S Q4 3.0 V6 Turbo (11.80 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2009 version of the Mercedes SLR Class McLaren Roadster has a maximum speed of 206mph.

Top Speed of the 2009 SLR Class equals the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (217 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2009 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren Roadster then how about the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (217 mph), the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (217 mph), or the 2019 Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 6.5L V12 (217 mph).

Related Links:

2009 SLR Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison