Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 - [1993]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1993. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1994 McLaren F1 6.1 V12 and the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo.This particular Mercedes SL Class has a 5956cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The SL 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 SL 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 1800 kgs (3968 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SL Class shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 5956cc 32V V8 engine produces 375 bhp (279 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 428 lb-ft (580.2 Nm) @ 3750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1948 Ferrari 166 MM (233.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes SL Class.

The Mercedes SL Class has a Power to weight ratio of 208.3 bhp per ton and 237.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1993 SL Class competing with the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM (233.3 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Porsche Cayman S 3.4 (233.3 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 SL Class generating around 237.7 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 2012 Aston-Martin Vanquish 5.9 V12 (262.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive LCI Touring F31 (262.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.6 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs) the or the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (5.40 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the and the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 2007 Bentley Brooklands 2d

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.91 secs @ 98.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Bentley Brooklands 2d (13.85 secs), the 1993 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon (13.86 secs), and the 2013 BMW 5 Series 550i GT xDrive F07 (13.87 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1993 version of the Mercedes SL Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1993 SL Class equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1993 Mercedes SL Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

1993 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison