Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Cabriolet - [2017]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Cabriolet is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2017. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2018 Bugatti Chiron Sport 8.0L W16 Quad Turbo and the 2018 Bugatti Divo 8.0L W16 64 Valve Turbo.This particular Mercedes SL Class has a 5461cc 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 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 1845 kgs (4067 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Cabriolet in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo 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 5461cc 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 664 lb-ft (900.2 Nm) @ 2250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (664 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (650 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 2003 Lamborghini Gallardo 5.0 V10 (337.5 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 312.7 bhp per ton and 359.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2017 SL Class competing with the 2003 Lamborghini Gallardo 5.0 V10 (337.5 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Lotus Exige 380 3.5 V6 Roadster Auto (336.6 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 359.8 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 2011 BAC Mono 280bhp (383.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Ferrari Roma 3.9 V8 Turbo (381.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.1 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Cabriolet as fast as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the or the 2020 BMW 4 Series M4 Coupe 3.0 Bi Turbo G82 (4.00 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Cabriolet is also faster than the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (4.10 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW XM 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo G09 (4.10 secs) the and the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (4.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 2016 BMW 1 Series M140i xDrive F20

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.15 secs @ 112.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2016 BMW 1 Series M140i xDrive F20 (12.09 secs), the 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996 (12.11 secs), and the 1974 Maserati Bora 4.9 V8 (12.11 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2017 version of the Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Cabriolet has a maximum speed of 186mph.

Top Speed of the 2017 SL Class equals the 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Pure Edition R35 (197 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2017 Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Cabriolet then how about the 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Pure Edition R35 (197 mph), the 2012 Nissan Skyline GTR R35 (197 mph), or the 2012 Audi R8 Plus S-Tronic 5.2 V10 (197 mph).

Related Links:

2017 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison