500 horsies SL55 vs. Galardo vs. Viper SRT-10

[GIR]

To be honest I don't know what the 0-60 times of the SRT-10 is. Some say it's 3.9s others say it's 5.2s and yet again others day it's 4.3s.

The funny thing is that the Dodge site doesn't go into much detail when it comes to Viper specs. All I could find is this:

Starting from $81,795 MSRP** 500 hp 525 lb.-ft. of torque 505 cu. in. of displacement Full-convertible clamshell design top 14" front and rear brake rotors Great structural rigidity for amazing handling

Even more amazing because I thought the Viper came with 16" brake rotors.

[LateNightCable]

Well, here are some test results from November 2002 Car&Driver. They tested both the SL55 AMG and the SRT/10 in that issue in seperate tests, and they claim the SRT runs to 60 in 3.9, and 0-100 in 8.5. Seems like a reasonable upgrade from the GTS.

In the SL55 test, they reported 0-60 in 4.5 and 0-100 in 10.9, adding that it was the fastest Mercedes they had ever tested. I really don't see how these numbers could be " bogus ". Both Dodge and Mercedes advertise with C&D anyway. It could be testing conditions and drivers, but either way, I don't see an SRT Viper getting left behind.

[kleinefisch]

Yea, I'm just not buying it either. The Viper is slightly more powerful, and much lighter than the Benz. Also the SL has a reported skidpad rating of .9 g's, and the Viper is said to have 1.05 g's. I don't know how reliable those are, but is there really going to be a .15 difference? I doubt it, thats pretty serious. And multiple sources say 3.9 for the Viper, and 4.4 for the SL. I just don't see how the Viper can't keep up. The Lambo is one thing, but the SL, common, thats a luxury rocket, not a pure-bred muscle car.

[thepolarfoxqx]

to be honest, i don't believe there should be any questioning of the gallardo coming out on top. Simply put, it makes sense.

As for Viper vs. SL55, legitamately, in an ideal run, i believe a viper would edge out the SL55, no blow away victory, but it should come out a bit faster. I figure a fair and decent number for the viper is 4.0-4.5, a fair and decent number for the SL55 is about 4.5. Every so often you'll have a real cold, dry morning when you can just turn out acceleration numbers that are amazing, but i figure the viper should be a little faster.

My only caveat to my statement is this: The viper will be faster - on it's best run, bun seeing as the SL55 is an automatic with a number of high tech devices ensuring its launch dynamics are consistent, every time you floor that car, it will turn out it's best number, or damn close to it. The viper could be all over the place dependent on how you launch and shift it, and even the best drivers aren't totaly consistent in a car as sensative as viper. You are just a little too agressive in it and you sit still spinning the tires.

So in the end, on a good run viper is faster, but i think SL55 is more applicably fast.

[kleinefisch]

Ok, I'll give you that, the Viper is more subject to variation. But it has superior grip and weight. It should be walking all over the SL with numbers like I mentioned before.

[thepolarfoxqx]

i'll admit, viper does have better grip, less weight, and is a better performing car, and a better sports car, but i could see it coming out more or less even with an SL55 on the average 0-60 run.

[kleinefisch]

Then in no way should the Viper come out on the bottom as this comparison put it.

Although, I would also like to see the Ford GT put into this mix. Too bad it's not out yet.

[GIR]

Okay, they're discussing the European Viper here. The European Viper has been detuned and has catalysts (that's why the exhaust is at the back) to meet the EU regulations.

So compared head to head on a level playing field. The Galardo and SL come out on top. I don't know about the Galardo but the SL's sold in the US are exactly the same as the ones sold in the EU so they still do meet the EU requirements.

I wonder what would happen when you would pull the catalysts of the SL, drop the envoiremental friendly programing for a more agressive programing and put it up against a US Viper.

[makara]

Originally Posted by GIR Okay, they're discussing the European Viper here. The European Viper has been detuned and has catalysts (that's why the exhaust is at the back) to meet the EU regulations. So compared head to head on a level playing field. The Galardo and SL come out on top. I don't know about the Galardo but the SL's sold in the US are exactly the same as the ones sold in the EU so they still do meet the EU requirements. I wonder what would happen when you would pull the catalysts of the SL, drop the envoiremental friendly programing for a more agressive programing and put it up against a US Viper.

It appears my previous post was deleted. Nice.

The US cars have cats too. Pulling the cats and retuning the benz would be neat but pointless for a comparison because the car is not sold that way. I believe that the reason for the different exhaust location on the vipers is due to regulations against sidepipes in some european countries.