Mercedes-Benz and Porsche may come from the same country, but they produce very different vehicles Despite their similarities in performance, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz find very different ways to make adrenaline machines. The 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG® SL 65 and Porsche 911 Turbos S, in particular, are two of the most luxurious and expensive cars on the market. When you are investing this much money into a road-faring vehicle, it is important to know you are making the right decision.
On the outside, the SL-Class and the Porsche don't look that much different, speaking in relativity to the automotive industry as a whole. They seat two passengers, they look fast, and they go fast. Really fast. With more than 500 horsepower and topless abilities on both models, the 911 and the SL-Class are two of the most sought after cars for drivers looking for something they can drive everyday and still be comfortable in.
2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG® SL 65 Roadster | vs | 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet |
3.8L Turbo Boxer 6 | Engine | 6.0L Biturbo V12 |
621 | Horsepower | 580 |
738 | Torque | 553 |
Front | Engine Location | Rear |
Although both of these vehicles are compatible with every-day driving, even in winter, one distinction makes the Mercedes-Benz a little more every-day friendly than the Porsche. This distinction is the location of the engine. With the engine behind the seats in the 911, it makes for better handling and overall performance, but it also makes it more dangerous for drivers without decades of experience behind the wheel of a supercar. Of course, if agility is what you want, the 911 is your car, but the difference between 2.9 and 3.9 seconds from zero to 60 is often hard to recognize when you are in the moment.
The other big incongruence is the engines themselves. As a V12, the Biturbo engine in the SL 65 has twice as many cylinders than the 911 and is almost twice the size in displacement. This makes for an enormous sound difference and gives the SL-Class the torque it needs to keep up. If you have any questions about why the Mercedes-Benz AMG® SL 65 is a better investment than the Porsche 911 Turbo, come to Mercedes-Benz of Arrowhead for a test drive!