Mercedes-Benz SL550 0–60 Times
The Mercedes-Benz SL550 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 3 recorded performance tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver and Motor Trend and more.
The fastest tested Mercedes-Benz SL550 is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 4.00 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 12.50 seconds at 114.0 mph, according to Motor Trend.
The slowest tested Mercedes-Benz SL550 is the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster, which took 4.80 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 13.50 seconds at 105.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
Out of all the Mercedes-Benz SL550 tests in our database, the average 0–60 mph time is 4.30 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 12.83 seconds at 111.67 mph.
Fastest 0–60
4.00sec
2013 Roadster · stock
Average 0–60
4.30sec
Across 3 runs
Avg ¼ Mile
12.83sec
@ 111.7 mph trap
Slowest 0–60
4.80sec
2011 Roadster
Across 3 verified runs, the Mercedes-Benz SL550 ranges from 4.00 to 4.80 seconds 0–60, with a 4.30-second average.
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Mercedes-Benz SL550 Performance Overview
Mercedes-Benz’s SL550, in this dataset spanning 2011 to 2013, traces a short but clear performance transition across 3 verified tests. The covered run begins with the final R230-era 2011 Roadster, powered by the naturally aspirated 382-hp M273 V8 and recorded at 4.8 seconds to 60 mph. That sets the baseline for this production span: a gasoline-only, V8-powered grand touring roadster whose measured performance already sat in the low-five- to high-four-second range.
The shift to the R231 generation for 2013 brought the biggest change, replacing the outgoing naturally aspirated setup with the twin-turbocharged M278 V8 rated at 429 hp. In testing, the 2013 Roadster reached 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, with another 2013 result at 4.1 seconds, lowering the average for the newer generation to 4.05 seconds. Quarter-mile performance moved with it, culminating in a 12.5-second @ 116 mph pass by the 2013 Roadster, versus the overall average of 12.83 seconds at 111.7 mph.
As covered here, the SL550 ends on its quickest note in the early R231 years, with the 2013 R231 Roadster’s 4.0-second 0-60 time standing as the fastest result in the model-year range represented by these tests.
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Mercedes-Benz SL550 0–60 Times by Generation: R230 to R231
2 generations| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R231 | 2013–2016 | 4.05s | 4.00s — 2013 Roadster | 2 | The R231 generation (2013–2016) averaged 4.05 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 2013 Roadster at 4.00 seconds. Output was 429 hp across 4.7L Twin-Turbo V8 configurations. |
| R230 | 2007–2011 | 4.80s | 4.80s — 2011 Roadster | 1 | The R230 generation (2007–2011) averaged 4.80 seconds to 60 mph across 1 tests, led by the 2011 Roadster at 4.80 seconds. Output was 382 hp across 5.5L V8 configurations. |
R231
2013–2016
Avg 0–60
4.05s
Fastest
4.00s
Tests
2
2013 Roadster
The R231 generation (2013–2016) averaged 4.05 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 2013 Roadster at 4.00 seconds. Output was 429 hp across 4.7L Twin-Turbo V8 configurations.
R230
2007–2011
Avg 0–60
4.80s
Fastest
4.80s
Tests
1
2011 Roadster
The R230 generation (2007–2011) averaged 4.80 seconds to 60 mph across 1 tests, led by the 2011 Roadster at 4.80 seconds. Output was 382 hp across 5.5L V8 configurations.
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Mercedes-Benz SL550 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
3 tests · 2 years
▾
2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550
2 verified runs
Avg 0–60
4.05
sec
Avg ¼ Mile
12.50
sec
Recorded Tests
2
#01
2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster
4.00sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
12.50s
¼ mi @ 114.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 4.00 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 12.50 sec
- Trap Speed
- 114.0 mph
- Engine
- 4.7L Twin-Turbo V8
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Transmission
- 7A
- Horsepower
- 429 hp
- Torque
- 516 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,970 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 9.3 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 17 C / 25 H / 20.9 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Roadster
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Motor Trend
- Overall Rank
- #1 of 3
#02
2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster
4.10sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
12.50s
¼ mi @ 116.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 4.10 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 12.50 sec
- Trap Speed
- 116.0 mph
- Engine
- 4.7L Twin-Turbo V8
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Transmission
- 7A
- Horsepower
- 429 hp
- Torque
- 516 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,970 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 9.3 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 17 C / 25 H / 17 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Roadster
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Overall Rank
- #2 of 3
How we verify Mercedes-Benz SL550 performance data
We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Mercedes-Benz SL550 trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Mercedes-Benz SL550 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a recorded test run
0–60 →
¼ mile →
Fastest
Recorded run
Slowest
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Mercedes-Benz SL550 performance FAQs
10 questions
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster runs 0-60 mph in 4.0 to 4.1 seconds across verified stock tests. Both recorded 2013 runs use the 429-hp twin-turbo M278 V8 with 516 lb-ft, rear-wheel drive, and a 3,970-pound curb weight.
The quickest SL550 on record is the 2013 Roadster, which reaches 60 mph in 4.0 seconds. That same car also owns the best quarter-mile result at 12.5 seconds, with trap speeds recorded at 114 mph and 116 mph in separate stock tests.
The fastest stock Mercedes-Benz SL550 is also the overall fastest one on record: the 2013 Roadster at 4.0 seconds to 60 mph. All three verified SL550 tests are production cars, so there is no modified result that changes the stock ranking.
Across all three recorded Roadster tests, the Mercedes-Benz SL550 averages 4.3 seconds from 0-60 mph, with a best run of 4.0 seconds. Quarter-mile performance averages 12.83 seconds at 111.7 mph across the full set of verified SL550 tests.
The R231-generation Mercedes-Benz SL550, sold from 2013 to 2016, averages 4.05 seconds from 0-60 mph across two tests. Its quickest recorded run is 4.0 seconds from the 2013 Roadster. R231 cars use a 429-hp twin-turbocharged gasoline powertrain.
The fastest R231 SL550 on record is the 2013 Roadster, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.0 seconds. Another verified 2013 test ran 4.1 seconds, showing that the R231 consistently sits around the low-4-second range in stock form.
The R230-generation SL550, covering 2007 to 2011 in the recorded results, posts a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds. The quickest and only verified R230 run is a 2011 Roadster. That generation is listed with 382 horsepower and a naturally aspirated gasoline engine.
Yes. The R231 SL550 is clearly quicker on record, averaging 4.05 seconds to 60 mph versus 4.8 seconds for the R230. The fastest R231 run is 4.0 seconds from a 2013 Roadster, while the fastest R230 result is 4.8 seconds from a 2011 Roadster.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster reaches 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. That makes it the slowest verified SL550 test on record, but it still gives a useful benchmark for the earlier R230 generation against the quicker twin-turbo R231 that followed.
The Mercedes-Benz SL550 averages 12.83 seconds in the quarter-mile at 111.7 mph across all recorded tests. The quickest quarter-mile result is 12.5 seconds from the 2013 Roadster, with trap speeds of 114 mph and 116 mph recorded in separate stock runs.
Sources
Car and Driver
Motor Trend
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Mercedes-Benz SL550 can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Mercedes-Benz 0–60 times
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