Performance Review: Mercedes SLK Class 350 Auto - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes SLK Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes SLK Class 350 Auto is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Mercedes SLK Class has a 3498cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The SLK Class shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the SLK 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 1485 kgs (3273 lbs) this makes the Mercedes SLK Class 350 Auto in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes SLK Class shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3498cc 24V V6 engine produces 301 bhp (224 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 266 lb-ft (360.6 Nm) @ 4900 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes SLK Class you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 BMW Z4 3.2 M Roadster 2d (227.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes SLK Class.

The Mercedes SLK Class has a Power to weight ratio of 202.6 bhp per ton and 179.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 SLK Class competing with the 2006 BMW Z4 3.2 M Roadster 2d (227.6 bhp per ton) or the 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo (227.6 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 SLK Class generating around 179.1 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 2005 Dodge Magnum 5.7 V8 RT (204.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (204.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.6 secs, this made the Mercedes SLK Class 350 Auto as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs) the or the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (5.40 secs). This Mercedes SLK Class 350 Auto is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the and the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SLK Class and the 2007 Bentley Brooklands 2d

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes SLK Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.91 secs @ 98.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Bentley Brooklands 2d (13.85 secs), the 1993 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon (13.86 secs), and the 2013 BMW 5 Series 550i GT xDrive F07 (13.87 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Mercedes SLK Class 350 Auto has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 SLK 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 2008 Mercedes SLK Class 350 Auto 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:

2008 SLK Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison