Car comparison

Mercedes-Benz SL (R232) AMG SL 43vsMercedes-Benz SL (R230) AMG SL 55 V8

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

New comparison

Mercedes-Benz SL (R232)

AMG SL 43

421 hp1991 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticTurbochargedRoadster2024-present
VS

Mercedes-Benz SL (R230)

AMG SL 55 V8

476 hp5439 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticSuperchargedRoadster2001-2006

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

Mercedes-Benz SL (R232) AMG SL 43

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    4.7 s
  • Fastest top speed
    278 km/h
    173 mph
  • Lightest
    1,735 kg
    3,825 lb
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    9.5 L/100 km
    24.8 mpg US
    29.7 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    737 km
    458 mi
  • Best economy score
    81/100
  • Best practicality score
    39/100

Mercedes-Benz SL (R230) AMG SL 55 V8

  • Most powerful
    476 hp
    355 kW
  • Highest torque
    700 Nm
    516 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    253 hp/t
    189 kW/t
    3.9 kg/hp
  • Largest trunk
    235 L
  • Best overall score
    66/100
  • Best performance score
    83/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelMercedes-BenzSL (R232)AMG SL 43Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V8
Power
421hp314kW
476hp355kW
Torque
500Nm369lb-ft
700Nm516lb-ft
Curb weight
1,735kg3,825lb
1,880kg4,145lb
Gross weight
2,185kg4,817lb
2,200kg4,850lb
Top speed
278 km/h
173 mph
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
65.9s99% target: 275 km/h / 171 mph
Calculated
59.2s99% target: 267 km/h / 166 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
4.7s
4.7s
0-200 km/h
15.4s
Calculated
15.3s
Calculated
0-60 mph
4.5s
Calculated
4.5s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
9.5L/100 km24.8mpg US29.7mpg UK
14.2L/100 km16.6mpg US19.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption city-
20.9L/100 km11.3mpg US13.5mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
10.6L/100 km22.2mpg US26.6mpg UK
Quarter mile
12.7s
Calculated
12.7s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
243hp/t181kW/t110hp/1000 lb
Calculated
253hp/t189kW/t115hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
288Nm/t193lb-ft/ton
Calculated
372Nm/t249lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
737km458mi
Calculated
563km350mi
Calculated
Displacement
1,991cc121cu in
5,439cc332cu in
Length
4,700mm185in
4,535mm179in
Width
1,915mm75in
1,815mm71in
Height
1,359mm54in
1,295mm51in
Wheelbase
2,700mm106in
2,560mm101in
Front track
1,665mm66in
1,569mm62in
Rear track
1,629mm64in
1,551mm61in
Trunk volume
213L
235L
Max trunk volume-
317L
Doors
2
2
Seats
4
2
Fuel tank
70L
80L

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 (R232) AMG SL 43Mercedes-Benz SL (R230) AMG SL 55 V8PowerTorque
  • Mercedes-Benz SL (R232) AMG SL 43: Power / Torque
  • Mercedes-Benz SL (R230) AMG SL 55 V8: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
Mercedes-BenzSL (R232)AMG SL 436,750 rpm5,000 rpm7,000 rpm
Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V86,100 rpm2,650-4,500 rpm6,350 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricMercedes-BenzSL (R232)AMG SL 43Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
4.5 s
4.5 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
4.7 s
4.7 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
15.4 s
15.3 s
Top speed
278 km/h
173 mph
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.1 s
2.2 s
330 ft
101 m
5.6 s
5.6 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.4 s
8.4 s
1000 ft
305 m
10.8 s
10.8 s
1/4 mile
402 m
12.7 s
12.7 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
183 km/h
114 mph
184 km/h
114 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R232)AMG SL 43
421 hp
314 kW
Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V8
476 hp
355 kW

Mercedes-Benz SL (R230) AMG SL 55 V8 has 55 hp more than Mercedes-Benz SL (R232) AMG SL 43.

The biggest power difference is between Mercedes-Benz SL (R232) AMG SL 43 and Mercedes-Benz SL (R230) AMG SL 55 V8: 55 hp (41 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R232)AMG SL 43
500 Nm
369 lb-ft
Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V8
700 Nm
516 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R232)AMG SL 43
1,735 kg
3,825 lb
Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V8
1,880 kg
4,145 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 (R232)AMG SL 43
278 km/h
173 mph
Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V8
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R232)AMG SL 434.7 s
Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V84.7 s

Although Mercedes-Benz SL (R230) AMG SL 55 V8 has more power, Mercedes-Benz SL (R232) AMG SL 43 is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

Fuel consumption comparison

Bar comparison chart for Fuel consumption. Lower is better · L/100 km / mpg US / mpg UK

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R232)AMG SL 43
9.5 L/100 km
24.8 mpg US
29.7 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V8
14.2 L/100 km
16.6 mpg US
19.9 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between Mercedes-Benz SL (R232) AMG SL 43 and Mercedes-Benz SL (R230) AMG SL 55 V8: 4.7 L/100 km.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R232)AMG SL 43
243 hp/t
181 kW/t
4.1 kg/hp
Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V8
253 hp/t
189 kW/t
3.9 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

Bar comparison chart for Estimated range. Higher is better · km / mi

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R232)AMG SL 43
737 km
458 mi
Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V8
563 km
350 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
Mercedes-BenzSL (R232)AMG SL 43
421 hp
314 kW
4.7 s
278 km/h
173 mph
Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V8
476 hp
355 kW
4.7 s
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 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 (R232)AMG SL 43
Power
421 hp
314 kW
0-100 km/h4.7 s
Top speed
278 km/h
173 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
213 L
7.5 cu ft
Length
4,700 mm
185.0 in
Height
1,359 mm
53.5 in
Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V8
Power
476 hp
355 kW
0-100 km/h4.7 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
235 L
8.3 cu ft
Length
4,535 mm
178.5 in
Height
1,295 mm
51.0 in

Performance vs fuel economy

Cars closer to the top-right corner combine stronger performance with better fuel economy scores.

Performance vs fuel economy data table
VehiclePerformance scoreFuel economy score
Mercedes-BenzSL (R232)AMG SL 43
Power
421 hp
314 kW
0-100 km/h4.7 s
Top speed
278 km/h
173 mph
9.5 L/100 km
24.8 mpg US
29.7 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V8
Power
476 hp
355 kW
0-100 km/h4.7 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
14.2 L/100 km
16.6 mpg US
19.9 mpg UK

Mercedes-Benz SL (R232) AMG SL 43 is closest to the top-right balance target for performance and fuel economy.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption

Cars closer to the lower-left corner offer a better mix of quick acceleration and low fuel consumption.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption data table
VehicleFuel consumption, L/100 km0-100 km/h, s
Mercedes-BenzSL (R232)AMG SL 43
9.5 L/100 km
24.8 mpg US
29.7 mpg UK
4.7 s
Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V8
14.2 L/100 km
16.6 mpg US
19.9 mpg UK
4.7 s

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption

The shaded area favors higher power-to-weight with lower combined fuel consumption.

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption data table
VehiclePower-to-weight, hp/tFuel consumption, L/100 km
Mercedes-BenzSL (R232)AMG SL 43
243 hp/t
181 kW/t
4.1 kg/hp
9.5 L/100 km
24.8 mpg US
29.7 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V8
253 hp/t
189 kW/t
3.9 kg/hp
14.2 L/100 km
16.6 mpg US
19.9 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleMercedes-BenzSL (R232)AMG SL 43Mercedes-BenzSL (R230)AMG SL 55 V8
Power
421 hp
314 kW
476 hp
355 kW
Torque
500 Nm
369 lb-ft
700 Nm
516 lb-ft
Acceleration
4.7 s
4.7 s
Top speed
278 km/h
173 mph
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,735 kg
3,825 lb
1,880 kg
4,145 lb
Fuel consumption
9.5 L/100 km
24.8 mpg US
29.7 mpg UK
14.2 L/100 km
16.6 mpg US
19.9 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
213 L
7.5 cu ft
Length
4,700 mm
185.0 in
Height
1,359 mm
53.5 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
235 L
8.3 cu ft
Length
4,535 mm
178.5 in
Height
1,295 mm
51.0 in
Range score
737 km
458 mi
563 km
350 mi
Trunk score
213 L
7.5 cu ft
235 L
8.3 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
243 hp/t
181 kW/t
4.1 kg/hp
253 hp/t
189 kW/t
3.9 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 (R232) AMG SL 43Mercedes-Benz SL (R230) AMG SL 55 V8
Consumption9.5 L/100 km24.8 mpg US29.7 mpg UK14.2 L/100 km16.6 mpg US19.9 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km16.63 LC100 km24.85 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi26.76 LC100 mi39.99 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,425 L376 US gal313 UK gal2,130 L563 US gal469 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,494 LC/year3,728 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Mercedes-Benz SL (R232) AMG SL 43

  • Is 145 kg lighter
  • Has 8 km/h (5 mph) higher top speed
  • Uses 4.7 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 173 km (108 mi) more estimated range

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Lightest
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best estimated range

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Smallest trunk

Mercedes-Benz SL (R230) AMG SL 55 V8

  • Has 55 hp more
  • Has 200 Nm more
  • Has 11 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 22 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Mercedes-Benz SL (R232) AMG SL 43
Mercedes-Benz SL (R230) AMG SL 55 V8
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