Car comparison

Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) · Facelift 2016 SL 500 V8vsMercedes-Benz SL (R107) · Facelift 1985 500 SL V8

Compare specs, acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, practicality, and estimated running costs side by side.

New comparison

Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) · Facelift 2016

SL 500 V8

456 hp4663 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticTwin-turboRoadster2016-2018
VS

Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) · Facelift 1985

500 SL V8

245 hp4973 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedRoadster1985-1989

Comparison overview

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Best choices

Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 500 V8

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    4.3 s
  • Fastest top speed
    270 km/h
    168 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    456 hp
    340 kW
  • Highest torque
    700 Nm
    516 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    265 hp/t
    198 kW/t
    3.8 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    12.4 L/100 km
    19.0 mpg US
    22.8 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.0 L/100 km
    33.6 mpg US
    40.4 mpg UK
  • Best overall score
    67/100
  • Best performance score
    83/100
  • Best economy score
    83/100
  • Best practicality score
    34/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelMercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 500 V8Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)Facelift 1985500 SL V8
Power
456hp340kW
245hp183kW
Torque
700Nm516lb-ft
392Nm289lb-ft
Curb weight
1,720kg3,792lb
1,610kg3,549lb
Gross weight
2,175kg4,795lb
2,030kg4,475lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
55.6s99% target: 267 km/h / 166 mph
Calculated
89.6s99% target: 243 km/h / 151 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
4.3s
7.3s
0-200 km/h
14.2s
Calculated
28.3s
Calculated
0-60 mph
4.1s
Calculated
6.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
9L/100 km26.1mpg US31.4mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
12.4L/100 km19mpg US22.8mpg UK
15.9L/100 km14.8mpg US17.8mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7L/100 km33.6mpg US40.4mpg UK
9.5L/100 km24.8mpg US29.7mpg UK
Quarter mile
12.3s
Calculated
15.2s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
265hp/t198kW/t120hp/1000 lb
Calculated
152hp/t113kW/t69hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
407Nm/t272lb-ft/ton
Calculated
243Nm/t163lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
722km449mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
4,663cc285cu in
4,973cc303cu in
Length
4,631mm182in
4,390mm173in
Width
1,877mm74in
1,790mm70in
Height
1,315mm52in
1,307mm51in
Wheelbase
2,585mm102in
2,455mm97in
Front track
1,600mm63in
1,465mm58in
Rear track
1,604mm63in
1,466mm58in
Trunk volume
345L
-
Max trunk volume
485L
-
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
65L
85L
CO2 emissions
205g/km
-

Performance charts

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Dyno simulation

Estimated stock-style power and torque curves by engine speed.

Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 500 V8Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) Facelift 1985 500 SL V8PowerTorque
  • Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 500 V8: Power / Torque
  • Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) Facelift 1985 500 SL V8: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 500 V85,250 rpm1,800-3,500 rpm5,500 rpm
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)Facelift 1985500 SL V84,750 rpm3,750 rpm5,000 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricMercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 500 V8Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)Facelift 1985500 SL V8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
4.1 s
6.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
4.3 s
7.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
14.2 s
28.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.1 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
5.4 s
6.7 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.1 s
10.0 s
1000 ft
305 m
10.4 s
12.8 s
1/4 mile
402 m
12.3 s
15.2 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
188 km/h
117 mph
154 km/h
96 mph

Power comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power. Higher is better · hp / kW

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 500 V8
456 hp
340 kW
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)Facelift 1985500 SL V8
245 hp
183 kW

Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 500 V8 has 211 hp more than Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) Facelift 1985 500 SL V8.

The biggest power difference is between Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) Facelift 1985 500 SL V8 and Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 500 V8: 211 hp (157 kW).

Torque comparison

Bar comparison chart for Torque. Higher is better · Nm / lb-ft

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 500 V8
700 Nm
516 lb-ft
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)Facelift 1985500 SL V8
392 Nm
289 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 500 V8
1,720 kg
3,792 lb
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)Facelift 1985500 SL V8
1,610 kg
3,549 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 500 V8
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)Facelift 1985500 SL V8
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 500 V84.3 s
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)Facelift 1985500 SL V87.3 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 500 V8 and Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) Facelift 1985 500 SL V8: 3.0 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 500 V8
265 hp/t
198 kW/t
3.8 kg/hp
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)Facelift 1985500 SL V8
152 hp/t
113 kW/t
6.6 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 500 V8
456 hp
340 kW
4.3 s
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)Facelift 1985500 SL V8
245 hp
183 kW
7.3 s
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph

Most attractive quadrant

Scatter chart with performance score on the X axis and practicality score on the Y axis.

Chart data table
VehiclePerformance scorePracticality score
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 500 V8
Power
456 hp
340 kW
0-100 km/h4.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
345 L
12.2 cu ft
Length
4,631 mm
182.3 in
Height
1,315 mm
51.8 in
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)Facelift 1985500 SL V8
Power
245 hp
183 kW
0-100 km/h7.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,390 mm
172.8 in
Height
1,307 mm
51.5 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleMercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 500 V8Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)Facelift 1985500 SL V8
Power
456 hp
340 kW
245 hp
183 kW
Torque
700 Nm
516 lb-ft
392 Nm
289 lb-ft
Acceleration
4.3 s
7.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Lightness
1,720 kg
3,792 lb
1,610 kg
3,549 lb
Fuel consumption
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
345 L
12.2 cu ft
Length
4,631 mm
182.3 in
Height
1,315 mm
51.8 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,390 mm
172.8 in
Height
1,307 mm
51.5 in
Range score
722 km
449 mi
-
CO2 score
205 g/km
-
Trunk score
345 L
12.2 cu ft
-
Power-to-weight score
265 hp/t
198 kW/t
3.8 kg/hp
152 hp/t
113 kW/t
6.6 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Fuel cost and annual usage

Estimate running costs from combined consumption, your annual distance, and the fuel price in your local currency.

Enter the fuel price in your local currency, for example €/L, $/gal, £/L or any other local currency.

LC = Local Currency

Fuel cost and annual usage
VehicleMercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 500 V8
Consumption9 L/100 km26.1 mpg US31.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km15.75 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi25.35 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,350 L357 US gal297 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,363 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 500 V8

  • Has 211 hp more
  • Has 308 Nm more
  • Is 3.0 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 25 km/h (16 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 113 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Heaviest

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) SL 500 V8
Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) 500 SL V8
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

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Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) · Facelift 2016 SL 500 V8 vs Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) · Facelift 1985 500 SL V8 - car comparison - FastVsFaster