Cerb vs SL55 AMG

[Nefarious]

A friend of mine has just bought a 53-plate SL55 AMG, so we've been bantering this morning over whether it has what it takes to put the Cerb to bed.

On paper, the TVR should walk it - 400+ BHP with under 1100kg to haul around, compared to 500-odd BHP carrying nearly two tonnes. Power-to-weight in the upper 300's rather than the mid-200s.

That said, there's over 500lb/ft of torque in that AMG engine, so away from the peak power point the Merc is going to be doing better than the figures suggest.

Then there's the driver element - he's got more computers that the goddamn spaceshuttle and I've got a pedal, a cable and a clumsy right foot.

I should walk it, but would you put your mortgage on it?

[southendpier]

What are we taking here?

Drag 1/4- you
1 mile sprint - you
track - you
pulling caravan - him
golfclubs - him


3:2 you win.

[itiejim]

Most of the references I can find show the Merc doing 0-100 in about 10 seconds, so a little slower than the Cerb. However, you got to be able to launch it...

I reckon on a rolling 2nd gear start you'd be OK, but I'm keeping my mortgage with those "oh so reliable and trustworthy" banks

[FarmyardPants]

The merc has a secret weapon though: surprise. A bit of kickdown action will give him half a dozen car lengths before you realise he's rearview mirroring you. By the time you've changed down and, if you're now in second gear, feathered the throttle a bit to keep traction, he'll be well up the road and claiming a 'victory'. If you stay in front and lead the charges you can avoid an ambush

[BCA]

AMG's traction control system (in a straight line atleast) is nothing short of incredible.

rolling starts below 150mph will favour the Cerb, but keep you're foot nailed beyond 7krpm just to be sure...

As an example of AMG traction control - CL65AMG at the brighton speed trials; 126mph, 12.2 terminal... the following year, same owner brings an SLR. 127mph and a 12.3 terminal.

[stats007]

On an autobahn the SL - you'll have a brown trouser moment way before the Merc driver.

[Gazzab]

On a private road in France I hit 185 leptons which wasnt enough to stay with a 911 turbo thingy but was enough to see of an AMG SL55 (and a few other cars in our convoy).

[Gazzab]

oops that was in your car!

[Nefarious]

Gazzab said:

oops that was in your car!

It's got a few more ponies these days though Standard 911Ts aren't quite quick enough, IME.

Edited by Nefarious on Tuesday 5th May 18:30

[DonnyMac]

Gazzab said:

oops that was in your car!

[BLUETHUNDER]

I had the use of a CL65. And i can honestly say that the performance was something else. The power in acceleration i havent felt in any Cerbera.

[Cyclone1]

BLUETHUNDER said:

I had the use of a CL65. And i can honestly say that the performance was something else. The power in acceleration i havent felt in any Cerbera.

But a CL65 is in a different league to a CL/SL/CLS/E 55 AMG, in a straight line the CL65 is just brutal, even Brummie would be all out to keep in touch.

For reference an SL55 AMG clocked 182mph at Vmax a couple of weeks ago, a good cerb would just edge that. Plus some SL55's may have had remaps and pulley upgrades so could be pushing nearer 600bhp and 600+lb/ft.

Jules.

[BLUETHUNDER]

Cyclone1 said:

BLUETHUNDER said:

I had the use of a CL65. And i can honestly say that the performance was something else. The power in acceleration i havent felt in any Cerbera.

But a CL65 is in a different league to a CL/SL/CLS/E 55 AMG, in a straight line the CL65 is just brutal, even Brummie would be all out to keep in touch.

For reference an SL55 AMG clocked 182mph at Vmax a couple of weeks ago, a good cerb would just edge that. Plus some SL55's may have had remaps and pulley upgrades so could be pushing nearer 600bhp and 600+lb/ft.

Jules.

I cant compare a 55,as i have never driven one. I was just blown away by the 65.

[jellison]

Nefarious said:

A friend of mine has just bought a 53-plate SL55 AMG, so we've been bantering this morning over whether it has what it takes to put the Cerb to bed.

On paper, the TVR should walk it - 400+ BHP with under 1100kg to haul around, compared to 500-odd BHP carrying nearly two tonnes. Power-to-weight in the upper 300's rather than the mid-200s.

That said, there's over 500lb/ft of torque in that AMG engine, so away from the peak power point the Merc is going to be doing better than the figures suggest.

Then there's the driver element - he's got more computers that the goddamn spaceshuttle and I've got a pedal, a cable and a clumsy right foot.

I should walk it, but would you put your mortgage on it?

not sure where you figures come from.

Cerbs are generall about 1200kg (a std Griff / Chim only just sneaks under 1100) and the power. Well 400 if well tuned up, but not standard (more like 360-370, and torque will be in a lower league than teh SC AMG.

My money would still just be on the Cerb in std trim and defo in tuned form (i.e. making the number they were originally supposed to have (not many like this)).

[Nefarious]

jellison said:

not sure where you figures come from.

Cerbs are generall about 1200kg (a std Griff / Chim only just sneaks under 1100) and the power. Well 400 if well tuned up, but not standard (more like 360-370).

I was specifically thinking about my one, which did 408bhp on Joo's rollers (after he'd breathed his magic on it), and officially weighs in at 1050Kg (pre-2001 car).

[jellison]

Nefarious said:

jellison said:

not sure where you figures come from.

Cerbs are generall about 1200kg (a std Griff / Chim only just sneaks under 1100) and the power. Well 400 if well tuned up, but not standard (more like 360-370).

I was specifically thinking about my one, which did 408bhp on Joo's rollers (after he'd breathed his magic on it), and officially weighs in at 1050Kg (pre-2001 car).

Aha - that is cool the. AVERY light one and one of the more powerful tuned ones then.

Well yes this would Smoke the AMG.

Edited by jellison on Wednesday 6th May 14:17

[jammy_basturd]

Peak power/torque is nothing unless you know how the power/torque is spread over the rev-range.

[jellison]

jammy_basturd said:

Peak power/torque is nothing unless you know how the power/torque is spread over the rev-range.

Yep you beat to that comment. Mind the lack of torque and having to rev the balls of a Cerbs AJPV8 was partly why I never bought one (test drove a nearly new 4.2). Big Fat gobs of Torque low down is what I prefer (but each to there own).

[Guy J Russell]

jellison said:

jammy_basturd said:

Peak power/torque is nothing unless you know how the power/torque is spread over the rev-range.

Yep you beat to that comment. Mind the lack of torque and having to rev the balls of a Cerbs AJPV8 was partly why I never bought one (test drove a nearly new 4.2). Big Fat gobs of Torque low down is what I prefer (but each to there own).

Same here! I think thats why i prefer'd the Speed Six. It seemed like it had more low down grunt. But then it expired on me. So hense me going the Ls route. Anyway enough talking about this i want to know what happens next! This needs to be concluded! I assume you'l be doing a 3 runs type battle? I want video's or an invitation to the event!

[jellison]

Guy J Russell said:

jellison said:

jammy_basturd said:

Peak power/torque is nothing unless you know how the power/torque is spread over the rev-range.

Yep you beat to that comment. Mind the lack of torque and having to rev the balls of a Cerbs AJPV8 was partly why I never bought one (test drove a nearly new 4.2). Big Fat gobs of Torque low down is what I prefer (but each to there own).

Same here! I think thats why i prefer'd the Speed Six. It seemed like it had more low down grunt. But then it expired on me. So hense me going the Ls route. Anyway enough talking about this i want to know what happens next! This needs to be concluded! I assume you'l be doing a 3 runs type battle? I want video's or an invitation to the event!

Is it worth it - the stats show what will happen.

Having been Very Fast on the A3 at Nite With Deano in his RR one, not much would live with that (I bailed out stupid speeds).

Would have thought a SP6 would have been no better on teh torque front (half a litre down - and Torque is very proportionate to cu in's). LS fine if well over 400bhp, otherwise I think an AJP (in a Cerb) would be preferable (LS and drive train a fair bit up on the very light AJP and / T5. Mind some prefer just going fast in a straightline. Helps to be able to go round corner fast too though.