2012 Audi R8 vs 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL Class

2012 Audi R8

2012 Mercedes-Benz SL Class

Select style

2-Door Conv Automatic quattro Spyder 4.2L

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
R8 2-Door Conv Automatic quattro Spyder 4.2L	13	21	$127,224	$136,800
R8 2-Door Conv Automatic quattro Spyder 5.2L	13	19	$159,774	$171,800
R8 2-Door Conv Automatic quattro Spyder 5.2L GT	13	19	$195,579	$210,300
R8 2-Door Conv Manual quattro Spyder 4.2L	11	20	$118,761	$127,700
R8 2-Door Conv Manual quattro Spyder 5.2L	12	19	$151,311	$162,700
R8 2-Door Coupe Automatic quattro 4.2L	13	21	$114,669	$123,300
R8 2-Door Coupe Automatic quattro 5.2L	13	19	$147,033	$158,100
R8 2-Door Coupe Automatic quattro 5.2L GT	13	19	$183,024	$196,800
R8 2-Door Coupe Manual quattro 4.2L	11	20	$106,206	$114,200
R8 2-Door Coupe Manual quattro 5.2L	12	19	$138,570	$149,000

Select style

2-Door Roadster SL 550

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
SL-Class 2-Door Roadster SL 550	14	22	$96,395	$103,650
SL-Class 2-Door Roadster SL 63 AMG	12	19	$130,609	$140,440

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$127,224

$96,395

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$136,800

$103,650

Monthly Payment Estimate

$2280 / month

$1728 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

9.2

Read Our Full Review

8.4

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

A marriage of the best of German handling and Italian power, the 2012 Audi R8 is a fantastic all-around supercar.

A powerful near-exotic luxury convertible, or a grand tourer with German precision? The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL Class is both.

TCC Likes

Beautiful looks from every angle
A very practical supercar
V-10's thrills

Consumes long-distance drives like caviar
Either way, a stunning performer
Top-five seats

TCC Dislikes

Rearward visibility is poor
Entry and exit are tough
Cargo space is minimal

For a two-seater, it's big and heavy
Trunk spaces starts small, gets puny
Incredibly expensive

Fuel Economy

City

13 mpg

14 mpg

Highway

21 mpg

22 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact

2 Seater

Interior Dimensions

Front Shoulder Room (in)

54.8

54.0

Passenger Volume (ft³)

- TBD -

50.0

Front Leg Room (in)

- TBD -

42.9

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

- TBD -

56.9

Front Head Room (in)

37.7

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

49.0

51.1

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.8

60.5

Wheelbase (in)

104.3

100.8

Liftover Height (in)

31.1

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

75.0

71.7

Track Width, Front (in)

64.5

61.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

Length, Overall (in)

174.4

180.4

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

3.5

10.2 (7.2 w/top down)

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-wheel

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

14.0 x - TBD -

11.8 x 0.4

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

14.4 x - TBD -

13.0 x 1.1

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

23.8

21.1

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

17.3

16.3

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

38.7

36.2

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

- TBD -

2.6

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

N/A

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P235/35R19

P255/40R18

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P295/30R19

P285/35R18

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3869

4220

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in)

19 x 8.5

18 x 8.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

19 x 11.0

18 x 9.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

24.2

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

520

760

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

190

180

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

316 @ 4500-6000

391 @ 2800-4000

Engine Order Code

Displacement

4.2L/254

5.5L/333

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

430 @ 7900

382 @ 6000

Engine Type

Gas V8

Fuel System

Direct

Electronic Fuel Injection

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.87

1.92

Trans Type

Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Rear Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.12

1.00

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.71

3.42 (R2 2.23)

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.70

2.86

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.46

2.65

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.41

1.37

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.92

0.82

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.37

4.38

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.73

Summary

Vehicle Name

Audi R8

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Body Style

Convertible

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

N/A

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Double-Wishbone

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

N/A

Suspension Type - Front

Double-Wishbone

Independent

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

11.6

11.0

Get FREE Dealer Quotes

From dealers near you

Go!

Compare 2012 Audi R8 vs 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL Class

Get FREE Dealer Quotes

Add a Vehicle to Compare