Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG vs Lexus LFA

Picture of Lexus LFA
Picture of Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Category Lexus LFASLS AMG
Engine layout 4.8 l V106.2 l V8
Max power (ps / bhp) 560 / 553571 / 563
Max torque (Nm / lb-ft) 480 / 354650 / 479
Curb weight (kg / lb) 1611 / 35521674 / 3691
Power / tonne (ps / bhp) 348 / 343341 / 336
Average price €375,000€186,000

Acceleration (mph)

Speed & distance Lexus LFASLS AMG
0 - 60 mph 3.6 s3.5 s
0 - 100 mph 7.8 s7.4 s
0 - 150 mph 18.3 s17.5 s
Est. 1/8 mile 8.3 s @ 101.9 mph8.1 s @ 103.8 mph
1/4 mile 11.6 s @ 123.0 mph11.6 s @ 126.1 mph
Est. 1/2 mile 19.4 s @ 151.6 mph18.9 s @ 155.3 mph
Est. 1 mile 31.9 s @ 174.6 mph30.6 s @ 177.7 mph

Acceleration (kph)

Speed & distance Lexus LFASLS AMG
0 - 40 kph 1.6 s1.3 s
0 - 50 kph 2.0 s1.7 s
0 - 60 kph 2.5 s2.1 s
0 - 80 kph 3.2 s3.0 s
0 - 100 kph 3.7 s3.7 s
0 - 120 kph 5.6 s5.0 s
0 - 130 kph 6.0 s5.5 s
0 - 140 kph 6.9 s6.2 s
0 - 160 kph 8.2 s7.5 s
0 - 180 kph 10.4 s9.3 s
0 - 200 kph 11.4 s10.9 s
0 - 300 kph 50.6 s35.7 s
1000 m 21.2 s @ 260.0 kph20.9 s @ 257.0 kph

Rolling acceleration

Speed Lexus LFASLS AMG
60 - 100 kph (4) 4.2 s3.6 s
80 - 120 kph (4) 3.6 s3.3 s
80 - 120 kph (5) 5.3 s4.6 s
80 - 120 kph (6) 7.3 s6.1 s
80 - 160 kph (4) 7.4 s6.4 s
80 - 160 kph (5) 10.5 s8.7 s
80 - 160 kph (6) 14.9 s12.2 s
Est. 100 - 140 kph 2.9 s2.5 s
Est. 100 - 200 kph 8.0 s7.5 s
Est. 200 - 300 kph 38.5 s27.6 s

Braking distance

Speed Lexus LFASLS AMG
100 kph - 0 33 m (108 ft)33 m (107 ft)
200 kph - 0 132 m (435 ft)134 m (438 ft)
60 mph - 0 29 m (94 ft)31 m (101 ft)
70 mph - 0 48 m (156 ft)46 m (151 ft)

General performance

Category Lexus LFASLS AMG
Top speed 325 kph (202 mph)323 kph (201 mph)
Est. 0 - 100 mph - 0 11.3 s @ 758 ft11.6 s @ 814 ft
Est. max acceleration 0.74 g (7 m/s²)0.79 g (8 m/s²)
18m slalom 70.6 kph (43.9 mph)69.6 kph (43.2 mph)
36m slalom 136.0 kph (84.5 mph)136.0 kph (84.5 mph)
Fuel economy 16.1 l/100 km (15 mpg US / 18 UK)10.9 l/100 km (22 mpg US / 26 UK)
Lateral acceleration 1.07 g (10 m/s²)0.99 g (10 m/s²)
Downforce @ 200 kph 13 kg (29 lbs)-33 kg (-73 lbs)

Summary

Category Lexus LFASLS AMG
Track Performance 11841143
Straight line speed 34614438
Total 46455581

Verdict

SLS AMG is the fastest by a small margin.

This comparison has been viewed 5.3k times.

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TypeF173  2y ago

Quote>"Conclusion:

'Der LFA dominiert ihn (Mercedes SLS AMG) in der Art eines präzisen Formel-Renners'.

English: 'The LFA, it dominates (AMG Mercedes SLS) in the way of a precise formula-racer'"

From German Magazine twin test, as detailed below.

mic-drop.jpg?550x800m


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hostboy  3y ago

This is the one comparison that confuses me the most. It feels like an Opposite Day comparison because the Lexus LFA pushed above its weight in the market, while the Mercedes SLS AMG pulled below it.

Displacement is an important key here, ESPECIALLY for grand tourers like these cars. I will exempt (excuse) cars like the Corvette and Viper and even the SL63/65 AMG because they're more rigid sports cars (and a commonplace GT, in the case of the SL AMG). We'll not include those here.

The SLS AMG was priced in the same bracket as cars like MP4-12C, 458, Gallardo/Huracan, and 911 Turbo S; however, it actually competed with (no McLaren equivalent), F12, Aventador, and (no Porsche equivalent). It was basically a long-hooded muscle car with class with a whopping 6.2 liter displacement; it had RWD and a V8 as well, and even front-engine displacement— all commonplace in cars like the Corvette and the American pony cars. (Mercedes did it cool by being the bigger guy than Audi, BMW... these two ... Benz and Jaguar ... had the balls to make 5.0L+ V8 engines unlike most of those other European guys).

The LFA was priced way too high for the engine displacement it sported. It was much slower than the cars in that price bracket. At 4.8L of displacement out of a high-revving V10, it slottted between 458 and Gallardo... also with 552 hp. Nothing about this car screams "F12" or "Aventador" rival.

On another subject, the GT-R (3.8L V6) and the M6 (4.4L V8) are the closest competitors in the GT class. The XKR (5.0L V8) came to the party in middle-ground fashion, slotting between M6 (4.4L V8) and SL63 AMG (5.5L V8).


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Shaggy  11y ago

My money would have been on the Lexus LFA.


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Super8  11y ago

The only person who post neutral comment here is Karthick01. I like LFA but it's little thirty compared to SLS. But SLS is also more comfort than LFA and I always choose Mercedes for a comfort sport car because My mom had 190E Evo II and even it's a sport car with bodywork, it's still very easy and comfort to drive.


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Karthick01  11y ago

Lexus LFA wins


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F355  14y ago

Direct comparison by AutoZeitung on the 3800 m layout of the Contidrom:
1:35.66 Lexus LF-A
1:37.50 Mercedes SLS AMG

This is not the 3345 m Contidrom used by AutoBild - nor the AutoZeitung test track, which is TÜV Rheinland's circuit 'Vehicle Testing Mending'.
Can we add the Contidrom 3800 m?

http://www.autozeitung.de/faszination-auto/mercedes-sls-amg-und-lexus-lfa-im-tracktest


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vette  15y ago

@names:
slow down man
first lambo is not all about going fast but lexus LF a is
secondly veyron is not supposed to go fast on corners and you are comparing a 2010 car to a 2005 one

and you can compare it to that corvette huh?
4times the price and slower...wtf?!
and slower is just a word
it crushes the LF A?!?!?!?!
how come???


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Nemes  15y ago

golf1diesel:

Really? How did you conclude that? Just through some straight line numbers? With half decent extreme performance tires, it will easily run 11.4 - 11.5 seconds in a straight line.

LFA even with mediocre temporary Bridgestone S001 tires (temporary street summer tires on prototypes) was faster around Nurburgring than $500,000 Lamborghini LP670-4, 1 million dollar Bugatti Veyron, $330,000 Ferrari 599 GTB. LOL

Maybe the sportauto test list of Nurburgring lap times will open your eyes:

Porsche 997 GT2 7:32 (Slick tires. Brand unknown)
Porsche 997.2 GT3 RS 7:33 (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup+ Semi-slick tires)
Lexus LFA 7:38 (Bridgestone S001 summer tires)
Corvette ZR-1 7:38 (Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires)
Nissan GTR 7:38 (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup + semi-slick tires)
Ferrari 458 Italia 7:38 (Bridgestone S001 summer tires)
Porsche 997.2 Turbo 7:38 (Slick tires)
Porsche GT3 997.2 7:40
Porsche GT3 997.1 RS 7:40
Mercedes SLS AMG 7:40 (Conti SportContact5)
Bugatti Veyron 7:40
Ferrari F430 Scuderia 7:39 (Pirelli Pirelli P Zero Corsa semi-slick tires)
Mercedes SLR AMG 7:42
Lamborghini LP670-4 7:42
Corvette Z06 C6 7:43
Audi R8 V10 FSI 7:44
Ferrari 599 GTB 7:47
Lamborghini LP640-4 7:47
Lamborghini LP560-4 7:52
Porsche 997.1 Turbo 7:54
Ferrari F430 F1 7:55


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golf1diesel  15y ago

the LFA is very slow for it\'s HUGE price


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Jeeves  15y ago

Georg: Thanks. LFA was also wearing very sloppy Bridgestone S001 tires, which were far inferior to what most other supercars wear.

Funny how LFA was cornering faster than the 458 Italia and pulling higher g with 115 km/h@1.30 for LFA compared to 104 km/h@1.24 g 458 Italia.

However, like you said 458 Italia was reaching higher speeds on the straights with LFA at 173 mph vs 190 mph for the Ferrari 458 Italia.

The acceleration numbers are accurate. I would tend to say that LFA\'s drag seems to be the biggest issue.

Just like I stated:

LFA with spoiler retracted: 0.34 CD
LFA with the spoiler up: 0.3981 CD

Frontal area: 2.01 meter square (much smaller than most supercars).

Now your argument about gearing might be true since the LFA gear ratios are like this:

1st: 52 mph (9300 rpm)
2nd: 77 mph (9300 rpm)
3rd: 104 mph (9300 rpm)
4th: 137 mph (9300 rpm)
5th: 173 mph (9300 rpm)
6th: 202 mph (8900 rpm)

So yes, 6th gear is needed to accelerate past 173 mph (278 KM/H).

So acceleration from 278 km/h - 300 km/h is done in 6th gear, but LFA\'s 6th gear is shorter than most cars (overall 6th gear ratio: 3.451:1) so you can see it is still pretty short compared to most supercars.

It must be the wind drag that is causing it.


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Georg  15y ago

@jevess

the LF-A can´t go faster than 80km/h with a cd of 0.345 so this numnber is compelteyl pointless!!!!!

You 0-150mph number match perfectly with the sportauto 0-300km/h test

0-125mph 12.0s
0-150mph 18.0s
0-186mph 50.6s

the reason is the poor airdrag index of 0.79 (look AT MY LIST postet in the Lotus Forum..this List I have writen here for fastest laps some time ago!!!!!!!) You back up your claims with my numbers and tell me I talk crap.. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL about you!!!!!!!!)

But back to topic...

the LF-A can only reach 186mph in 6. gear... the combination of the poor airdrag index and the long gearing of the 6. gear is the reason for the poor 0-300km/h time the 6.gear reaches to a theoritical topspeed of ~345km/h or 215mph which the LF-A can´t reach because it lacks the power... but it is geared that way.

The aerodynamic cd is ~0.4
The airdrax index is 0.79
The 6.gear s very long geared
The LF-A reaches 300km/h or 186mph only in 6.gear

Your turn...


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Jeeves  15y ago

Georg, you are again talking cr*p here!

LFA\'s front area is very small at 2.01 m2

Look at all of these aerodynamic tests. LFA has one of the smallest frontal area:

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f152/downforce-anyone-86195/

The issue like mentioned before that SportAuto brought up was the drag caused by the spoiler raised up, which brought the drag from 0.34 (much like any other supercar) to truck-like 0.40 creating too much weight over the rear wheels.

I do agree that Lexus should have a way to retract the spoiler, but still this test in no way is indicative of how fast LFA is from 0 - 300 KM/H

LFA has tested 0 - 150 mph without any launch control in just 18 seconds. There is no way on earth it will take such a powerful car to achieve the last 30 mph in over 30 seconds.

That is bullsht!


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Nemes  15y ago

Yes I have the full scan of the article.

SportAuto clearly wrote that the drag coefficient goes up to a big truck like for 0.3981 with the spoiler raised up. It is great for handling, but for top speed acceleration, it adds too much weight over the rear wheels.

The spoiler comes up automatically at 80 km/h and is meant for high speed downforce and handling.

LFA\'s AutoCar 0 - 155 mph was only 18.0 seconds. There is no f\'king way an LFA would gain the last 30 mph in over 30 seconds. Just impossible!

Still LFA lapped Nurburgring in 7:38 with temporary street Bridgestone tires.


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GT500  15y ago

LFA is faster with temporary bridgestone tires on the track that tests everything best.

The Nurburgring.

Also, LFA killed the SLS AMG in the AutoZeitung comparison. AutoZeitung itself said LFA \"dominated\".

If LFA indeed were wearing its spec tires (under development), it would have run much faster.


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GT500  15y ago

You obviously are not telling the truth.

Firstly, 99% of the owners will never go over 250 - 260 km/h. LFA hits 0 - 155 mph in only 18 seconds.

Yes, I did read the article and the only reason why LFA\'s 0 - 300 km/h acceleration was slow because of this:

LFA drag without spoiler deployed: 0.31

LFA drag with spoiler deployed: 0.3981

LFA\'s spoiler automatically deploys at 80 km/h and cannot be retracted. SportAuto clearly said the added weight due to the downforce is clearly for best handling and is not meant for top speed acceleration runs.

LFA\'s 0 - 150 mph time tested by the AutoCar magazine was only 18 seconds.

If LFA prototype\'s spoiler could have been retracted, it would have easily run 34 - 37 seconds 0 - 300 km/h


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Georg  15y ago

ops 3 new laptimes and the SLS is faster...
sportauto rated the LF-A as a good car without a question but for the given perfromance much to expansive.. the aerodynamic isn´´t as good as claimed cW 0.39 (tested) with a frontal area of clocked 2.01m² it reach a air index of 0.78 ...lot more than the claimed 0.69..the car produce lift at the front axle 24kg at 200km/h/125mph, abouve 125mph the accerlation is poor to 300km/h it need TWICE the time that a Porsche 997 GT2 Rs needs and still 8.4s more than a SLS


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GT500  15y ago

We need to add these lap times to the database

AutoZeitung LFA vs SLS AMG (August 2010):

Start/Ziel Sektor: Lexus LFA 21,85 sec - Mercedes SLS AMG 21,34 sec. English: Start / Target sector: Lexus LFA 21.85 sec - 21.34 sec AMG Mercedes SLS
Highspeed Sektor: Lexus LFA 37,96 sec - Mercedes SLS AMG 38,68 sec. English: Highspeed Sector: Lexus LFA 37.96 sec - 38.68 sec AMG Mercedes SLS
Dynamik Sektor: Lexus LFA 35,85 sec - Mercedes SLS AMG 37,48 sec. English: Dynamic Sector: Lexus LFA 35.85 sec - 37.48 sec AMG Mercedes SLS

RUNDENZEITEN: Lexus LFA 1:35,66 min - Mercedes SLS AMG 1:37,50 min. Engish: LAP: Lexus LFA 1:35,66 min - Mercedes AMG SLS 1:37,50 min

Der letzte Satz im Testbericht:

Conclusion:

\'Der LFA dominiert ihn (Mercedes SLS AMG) in der Art eines präzisen Formel-Renners\'. English: \'The CAA, it dominates (AMG Mercedes SLS) in the way of a precise formula-racer\'


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Nemes  15y ago

YoungSinatra:

I love both cars. I prefer the LFA mostly for the engine 9500 rpm rev limit and engine sound. I am sure the SLS is a better daily driver than the more track oriented LFA. SLS AMG is awesome as well. I have seen one in real life and it has an amazing presence.

Ofcourse, it kicked every car\'s a** on the contidrom race track until it was compared to LFA where LFA lapped 1.8 seconds quicker.


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YoungSinatra  15y ago

(Nemes) I certainly can not argue with you on the LF-A\'s engine note. It truly is sweet. It\'s just now that I\'m a geezer I have to lean toward the old world class of the Benz:)


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GT500  15y ago

So that means AutoZeitung is the \"driver oriented boy racer\" preferring type of publication, which is why they made LFA the winner (aside from the superior track performance).