Performance Review: Mercedes SLR Class McLaren Stirling Moss - [2009]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SLR Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SLR Class McLaren Stirling Moss 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 1626 kgs (3584 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SLR Class McLaren Stirling Moss in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SLR Class shares the same bhp with the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (651 bhp)

In terms of power the 5439cc 24V V8 engine produces 641 bhp (477 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (651 bhp) or the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 605 lb-ft (820.2 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (590 lb-ft) or the 2023 McLaren 750S 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 2017 Dodge Viper ACR 8.4 V10 (419.1 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 394.2 bhp per ton and 372.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2009 SLR Class competing with the 2017 Dodge Viper ACR 8.4 V10 (419.1 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Dodge Viper ACR 8.4 V10 Extreme Aero (419.1 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 SLR Class generating around 372.0 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 2009 Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 6.2 V8 (396.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 Black Series R230 (394.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.5 secs, this made the Mercedes SLR Class McLaren Stirling Moss as fast as the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.40 secs) the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive (3.40 secs) the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo Roadster (3.40 secs) the or the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo (3.40 secs). This Mercedes SLR Class McLaren Stirling Moss is also faster than the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (3.50 secs) the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.50 secs) the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto (3.50 secs) the and the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 (3.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SLR Class and the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SLR Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.26 secs @ 121.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8 (11.21 secs), the 2017 BMW 4 Series M4 Competition Package F83 (11.22 secs), and the 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV RS (11.23 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2009 version of the Mercedes SLR Class McLaren Stirling Moss has a maximum speed of 217mph.

Top Speed of the 2009 SLR Class equals the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo (228 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 Stirling Moss then how about the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo (228 mph), the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo (229 mph), or the 2022 Pagani Huayra Codalunga 6.0 V12 Twin-Turbo Long Tail (230 mph).

Related Links:

2009 SLR Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison