Performance Pack ($2,950 -- includes configurable Dynamic mode, red brake calipers, selectable active exhaust, flat-bottomed steering wheel, performance seats, interior black pack); 20-Inch Forged Alloy Wheels With Carbon-Fiber Trim ($2,500); Vision Pack V8 S ($2,100 -- includes adaptive and intelligent headlights, front parking sensors, rearview camera, blind spot monitor); Extended Leather Pack ($1,925); Meridian Sound System ($1,200); HD and Satellite Radios ($450); Illuminated Door Sill Tread Plates ($450); Red Seatbelts ($350); Premium Pack V8 S ($200 -- includes universal garage door opener, wind deflector, lockable interior storage)
As-tested MSRP
$105,620
Assembly location
United Kingdom
North American parts content (%)
2
Drivetrain
Configuration
Longitudinal, front engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine type
Supercharged, direct-injected, V8 gasoline with auto stop-start
Displacement (cc/cu-in)
5,000/305
Block/head material
Aluminum/aluminum
Valvetrain
DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression ratio (x:1)
9.5
Redline, indicated (rpm)
6,750
Horsepower (hp @ rpm)
495 @ 6,500
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)
460 @ 2,500
Fuel type
Premium unleaded (required)
Transmission type
Eight-speed automatic with console shifter and steering-mounted paddles with Sport/Competition modes
Transmission ratios (x:1)
I = 4.714; II = 3.143; III = 2.106; IV = 1.667; V = 1.285; VI = 1.000; VII = 0.839; VIII = 0.667
Final-drive ratio (x:1)
2.56
Chassis
Suspension, front
Independent double wishbone, coil springs, driver-adjustable two-mode variable dampers, stabilizer bar
Suspension, rear
Independent double wishbone, coil springs, driver-adjustable two-mode variable dampers, stabilizer bar
Steering type
Power steering
Steering ratio (x:1)
14.6
Tire make and model
Pirelli P Zero JRS
Tire type
Summer
Tire size, front
255/35ZR20 97Y
Tire size, rear
295/30ZR20 101Y
Wheel size
20
Wheel material
Forged alloy with permanent carbon-fiber decorative appliques
Brakes, front
One-piece ventilated steel discs with two-piston sliding calipers
Brakes, rear
One-piece ventilated steel discs with single-piston sliding calipers
Track Test Results
Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.)
1.7
0-45 mph (sec.)
2.7
0-60 mph (sec.)
3.9
0-75 mph (sec.)
5.5
1/4-mile (sec. @ mph)
11.9 @ 118.9
0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.)
3.6
0-30 mph, trac ON (sec.)
1.8
0-45 mph, trac ON (sec.)
2.8
0-60 mph, trac ON (sec.)
4.0
0-75 mph, trac ON (sec.)
5.6
1/4-mile, trac ON (sec. @ mph)
12.0 @ 118.5
0-60, trac ON with 1 foot of rollout (sec.)
3.7
Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.)
27
60-0 mph (ft.)
105
Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph)
70.7
Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) ESC ON
69.7
Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g)
0.92
Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) ESC ON
0.90
Sound level @ idle (dB)
45.5
@ Full throttle (dB)
84.2
@ 70 mph cruise (dB)
64.9
@ 70 mph top down (dB)
72
Engine speed @ 70 mph (rpm)
1,500
Test Driver Ratings & Comments
Acceleration comments
Normally, a small car with such an obscene amount of power is difficult to launch without obliterating the rear tires (see SL65 AMG), but even with traction control shut off, I could find (or modulate) the optimal amount of wheelspin. The thing is, I was only a tenth better than leaving the system on (and in the most aggressive modes), or 0.3 better than simply leaving it in the default modes and standing on the gas -- so it hardly matters. What a sound. Power delivery is shockingly linear and tractable, upshifts are quick and seamless if a little harsh, but it felt like it would continue to accelerate at the same rate for another 12 seconds up to 200 mph. What an engine. Whoa.
Braking comments
These brakes start out in the excellent category, then just keep improving into the outstanding range. The shortest distance came on the eighth stop (of nine) from 60 mph and then only grew another foot. Obviously, these brakes are a good match for the car's ability to go fast. The brake pedal's feedback is completely intuitive, medium-firm, and with typical sports car response -- nothing unusual in the way it feels. There was, however, quite a racket at the firewall under full-ABS stops with some vibration and buzzing in the system.
Handling comments
Slalom: I wish this car was more refined here. As it is, I had to do everything I could to calm the chassis down to minimize the inherent propensity for oversteer: Select a gear higher than I would normally, put the dampers in the softer, more compliant mode, and select the normal steering mode. Even then, it was a tail-happy handful and proved difficult to predict. Part of the problem is one of communication (it offers little), and the other is a spooky steering delay-gain character. Initial understeer, then surprise oversteer. I killed a "murder of cones," but found what I feel is a speed that's representative of the car's true abilities. Skid pad: It feels like it grips better than the 0.90-0.92g figures suggest. Again, there's mild understeer as the limit approaches, but then it threatens to let go at the rear right on the limit. Steering weight increases with speed, but not tactile feedback.
Testing Conditions
Test date
9/10/2013
Elevation (ft.)
1,121
Temperature (°F)
74
Relative humidity (%)
57.25
Barometric pressure (in. Hg)
28.7
Wind (mph, direction)
2.5, head
Odometer (mi.)
4,017
Fuel used for test
91-octane gasoline
As-tested tire pressures, f/r (psi)
36/36
Fuel Consumption
EPA fuel economy (mpg)
18 combined/16 city/23 highway
Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.)
19.0
Audio and Advanced Technology
iPod/digital media compatibility
Standard iPod via USB jack
Satellite radio
Standard
Hard-drive music storage capacity (Gb)
Not available
Bluetooth phone connectivity
Standard
Navigation system
Standard hard drive with traffic
Telematics (OnStar, etc.)
Not available
Smart entry/Start
Standard ignition doors trunk/hatch
Parking aids
Optional parking sonar front and rear back-up camera, rear cross-traffic detection
Blind-spot detection
Optional
Adaptive cruise control
Not available
Lane-departure monitoring
Not available
Collision warning/avoidance
Not available
Night Vision
Not available
Driver coaching display
Not available
Dimensions & Capacities
Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.)
3,671
Curb weight, as tested (lbs.)
3,958
Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%)
52.7/47.3
Length (in.)
176.0
Width (in.)
75.7
Height (in.)
51.5
Wheelbase (in.)
103.2
Track, front (in.)
62.4
Track, rear (in.)
64.1
Turning circle (ft.)
35.1
Legroom, front (in.)
43.0
Headroom, front (in.)
37.0
Shoulder room, front (in.)
56.5
Seating capacity
2
Trunk volume (cu-ft)
7
Trunk volume, top down (cu-ft)
7
Convertible top material
Cloth, glass rear window with defroster
Operation type
Power-operated top and latches with integral tonneau cover