Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 230SL W113 - [1963]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 230SL W113 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1963. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1964 Jaguar XJ 13 5.0 V12 and the 1963 Ferrari 275 GTB 3.3 V12.This particular Mercedes SL Class has a 2308cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The SL Class shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . 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 1295 kgs (2854 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 230SL W113 in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SL Class shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 2308cc 12V St6 engine produces 148 bhp (110 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 145 lb-ft (196.5 Nm) @ 4200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 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 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 2.5 V6 GSi (139.2 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 114.2 bhp per ton and 111.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1963 SL Class competing with the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 2.5 V6 GSi (139.2 bhp per ton) or the 1991 Ford Escort RS 2000 4x4 MK5 (139.2 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 111.9 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 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Astra Coupe Turbo (136.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1984 Fiat Strada Abarth 130 TC (136.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.8 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 230SL W113 as fast as the 1993 Toyota T100 3.0 V6 (10.50 secs) the 1975 Chevrolet Vega Cosworth Twin Cam (10.50 secs) the 1971 Chevrolet Vega 2300 GT 4 Speed (10.50 secs) the or the 1956 BMW 507 3.2 V8 (10.50 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 230SL W113 is also faster than the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (10.60 secs) the 1974 Vauxhall-Opel Manta GT/E 1.9 8v (10.60 secs) the 1971 Bentley Corniche 6.8 V8 Convertible (10.60 secs) the and the 1969 Ford Capri 2000 GT (10.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.88 secs @ 81.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive28i (16.81 secs), the 2010 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari 1.4 Turbo (16.81 secs), and the 1985 Volkswagen-VW Polo GT G40 1.3 Supercharged (16.82 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1963 version of the Mercedes SL Class 230SL W113 has a maximum speed of 124mph.

Top Speed of the 1963 SL Class equals the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1963 Mercedes SL Class 230SL W113 then how about the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (135 mph).

Related Links:

1963 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison