Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 63 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo - [2021]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 63 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo is the 9 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2021. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2021 McMurtry Speirling Goodwood and the 2021 Rimac Nevera 1888bhp Electric AWD.This particular Mercedes SL Class has a 3982cc Twin Turbo 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 All Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1970 kgs (4343 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 63 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo in the same weight category as the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SL Class shares the same bhp with the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato (602 bhp)

In terms of power the 3982cc 32V V8 engine produces 577 bhp (430 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato (602 bhp) or the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid (566 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V8 throws out 590 lb-ft (799.9 Nm) @ 2500 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 SL Class you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2018 BMW 5 Series M5 Competition 4.4 V8 F90 (317.5 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 292.8 bhp per ton and 299.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2021 SL Class competing with the 2018 BMW 5 Series M5 Competition 4.4 V8 F90 (317.5 bhp per ton) or the 2011 Ford Mustang GT500 (317.3 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 299.4 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 2010 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG (324.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 Lamborghini Centenario LP 770-4 Roadster (324.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.6 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 63 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo as fast as 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 or the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 (3.50 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 63 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo is also faster than the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (3.60 secs) the 2020 Iso Rivolta GTZ 6.2 V8 Supercharged (3.60 secs) the 2020 Audi TT RS 2.0 Turbo (3.60 secs) the and the 2019 BMW X6 M Competition 4.4 V8 Turbo F85 (3.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 1962 Iso Rivolta IR 340 5.4L V8

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.93 secs @ 114.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1962 Iso Rivolta IR 340 5.4L V8 (11.88 secs), the 2009 Ford Focus 2.5 RS (11.89 secs), and the 1967 DeTomaso Mangusta 4.7 V8 (11.89 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2021 version of the Mercedes SL Class 63 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo has a maximum speed of 196mph.

Top Speed of the 2021 SL Class equals the 2019 Bentley Flying Spur 6.0 W12 Twin Turbo (207 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 63 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo then how about the 2019 Bentley Flying Spur 6.0 W12 Twin Turbo (207 mph), the 2018 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Convertible (207 mph), or the 2017 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Turbo (207 mph).

Related Links:

2021 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison