Performance Review: Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster GT - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SLS Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster GT is the 7 speed / 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 SLS has a 6208cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The SLS 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 SLS'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 1735 kgs (3825 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster GT in the same weight category as the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SLS shares the same bhp with the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (603 bhp)

In terms of power the 6208cc 32V V8 engine produces 583 bhp (434 kW) @ 6800 rpm similar to the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (603 bhp) or the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato (602 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 479 lb-ft (649.4 Nm) @ 4750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG GT 6.2 V8 (359.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes SLS.

The Mercedes SLS has a Power to weight ratio of 336.0 bhp per ton and 276.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 SLS competing with the 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG GT 6.2 V8 (359.8 bhp per ton) or the 1994 Lamborghini Diablo SE 5.7 V12 (359.3 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 SLS generating around 276.0 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 1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible (301.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 McLaren MP4-12C 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo Spider (300.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.8 secs, this made the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster GT as fast as the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 (3.70 secs) the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (3.70 secs) the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 992 (3.70 secs) the or the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Supercharged Convertible (3.70 secs). This Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster GT is also faster than 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 BMW i4 M50 (3.80 secs) the and the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SLS and the 2013 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SLS on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.87 secs @ 115.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo (11.81 secs), the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 4Motion 2.0 Turbo (11.82 secs), and the 1983 Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Turbo (11.84 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster GT has a maximum speed of 199mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 SLS equals the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C7 (210 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster GT then how about the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C7 (210 mph), the 2018 Lamborghini SC18 Alston 6.5 V8 (210 mph), or the 2017 Pagani Huayra Roadster 6.0 V12 (210 mph).

Related Links:

2012 SLS Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison