Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 - [1957]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1957. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 Convertible and the 1957 Mercedes 300 SL II Roadster W198.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, 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 1383 kgs (3048 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 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 215 bhp (160 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 1957 Mercedes 300 SL II Roadster W198 (180.4 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 155.4 bhp per ton and 146.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1957 SL Class competing with the 1957 Mercedes 300 SL II Roadster W198 (180.4 bhp per ton) or the 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk 5.8L V8 352 (180.4 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 146.7 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 1954 Frazer-Nash Sebring 2.0 Roadster (171.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth (171.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.8 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 as fast as the 2001 Alfa-Romeo 147 TS Selespeed (9.50 secs) the 1993 Rover 200 216 GTi Coupe (9.50 secs) the 1992 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit II 6.8 V8 (9.50 secs) the or the 1978 Mazda RX7 SA22C (9.50 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 is also faster than the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (9.60 secs) the 2008 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (9.60 secs) the 2003 Skoda Fabia 1.9 vRS 130bhp (9.60 secs) the and the 1993 Bentley Brooklands 4d (9.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 1969 Pontiac Firebird 350

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.22 secs @ 89.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1969 Pontiac Firebird 350 (15.15 secs), the 2014 BMW 2 Series M235i Cabriolet Auto F23 (15.15 secs), and the 2009 Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 (15.15 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1957 version of the Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 has a maximum speed of 145mph.

Top Speed of the 1957 SL Class equals the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1957 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 then how about the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph), the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (156 mph), or the 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR (156 mph).

Related Links:

1957 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison