Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 300SL Gullwing W198 - [1955]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 300SL Gullwing W198 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1955. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1955 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 1 and the 1955 Ford Thunderbird 292 Fordomatic 1st Gen..This particular Mercedes SL Class has a 2996cc 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, Coupe 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 1293 kgs (2850 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 300SL Gullwing W198 in the same weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SL Class shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2996cc 12V St6 engine produces 212 bhp (158 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 203 lb-ft (275.2 Nm) @ 4600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 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 1968 Alpine A110 1300 (188.8 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 163.9 bhp per ton and 156.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1955 SL Class competing with the 1968 Alpine A110 1300 (188.8 bhp per ton) or the 2009 BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d (188.7 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 156.9 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 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (181.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1990 Nissan Skyline R32 GTR (181.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.1 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 300SL Gullwing W198 as fast as the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Zafira Tourer CDTi BiTurbo (8.80 secs) the the 2002 Toyota Camry 3.0 V6 (8.80 secs) the or the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX (8.80 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 300SL Gullwing W198 is also faster than the 2008 Audi A4 1.8T Avant (8.90 secs) the 2005 Suzuki Swift 1.6 VVT Sport (8.90 secs) the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Omega 3.2 V6 Automatic (8.90 secs) the and the 1990 Volvo 940 2.3 Turbo (8.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 2008 Bentley Azure T 6.8 V8

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.96 secs @ 91.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Bentley Azure T 6.8 V8 (14.90 secs), the 1966 Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 (14.90 secs), and the 2011 KIA Optima 2.0 Turbo (14.90 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1955 version of the Mercedes SL Class 300SL Gullwing W198 has a maximum speed of 135mph.

Top Speed of the 1955 SL Class equals the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1955 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Gullwing W198 then how about the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph), the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (146 mph), or the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (146 mph).

Related Links:

1955 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison