Performance Review: Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 R230 - [2004]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 R230 is the 5 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2004. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 and the 2005 SSC Aero SC 8T 6.3L.This particular Mercedes SL Class has a 5980cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The SL Class shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. 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 2110 kgs (4651 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 R230 in the same weight category as the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SL Class shares the same bhp with the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp)

In terms of power the 5980cc 36V V12 engine produces 604 bhp (450 kW) @ 4800 rpm similar to the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp) or the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V12 throws out 738 lb-ft (1000.5 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (726 lb-ft) or the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C8 (715 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 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico (311.1 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 286.2 bhp per ton and 349.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2004 SL Class competing with the 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico (311.1 bhp per ton) or the 2014 Jaguar F Type R 5.0 V8 Convertible AWD (310.6 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 349.7 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 2021 Ferrari 296 GTB Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (374.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 KTM X-Bow R 2.0 Turbo (373.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.0 secs, this made the Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 R230 as fast as the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the or the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs). This Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 R230 is also faster than 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 and the 2020 BMW 4 Series M4 Coupe 3.0 Bi Turbo G82 (4.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SL Class and the 1992 TVR Chimaera 4.0

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.59 secs @ 108.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 TVR Chimaera 4.0 (12.53 secs), the 2005 Maybach 57 S 6.0 V12 (12.53 secs), and the 2004 Mercedes C Class 55 AMG (12.53 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2004 version of the Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 R230 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2004 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 2004 Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 R230 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:

2004 SL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison