Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 500 - [1997]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 500 is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12.This particular Mercedes SL Class has a 4973cc 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 1796 kgs (3959 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 500 in the same weight category as the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SL Class shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 4973cc 32V V8 engine produces 315 bhp (234 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 345 lb-ft (467.7 Nm) @ 3900 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 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 1995 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V2 - Classic JDM Wagon (200.0 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 175.3 bhp per ton and 192.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 SL Class competing with the 1995 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V2 - Classic JDM Wagon (200.0 bhp per ton) or the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 390 4 Speed (200.0 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 192.0 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 2008 Lexus IS F 5.0 V8 (217.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 Ford Focus RS 2.3 Turbo (217.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.4 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 500 as fast as the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the or the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 500 is also faster than the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the and the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.73 secs @ 92.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (14.67 secs), the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8 (14.70 secs), and the 2007 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 2.8T V6 VXR (14.70 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the Mercedes SL Class 500 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 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 1997 Mercedes SL Class 500 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:

1997 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison