A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
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Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.
Rolls-Royce Dawn vs Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Maybach SL: the short answer
Compare the available model information below. Hagalu has withheld a ranked verdict because the selected vehicles do not yet meet the minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold.
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Maximum Power
Dawn420 kW @ 5250-6000 rpm
Mercedes-Maybach SL430 kW
Maximum Torque
Dawn820 Nm @ 1600-4750 rpm
Mercedes-Maybach SL800 Nm
Engine Size
Dawn6592 cc
Mercedes-Maybach SL3982 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Dawn6.99 km/l
Mercedes-Maybach SL-
Ground Clearance
Dawn149 mm
Mercedes-Maybach SL-
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Model Introduced Year
2016
2026
Generation
Dawn four-seat convertible; this archive profile uses the MY17 World specification corroborated by a February 2018 South African road test.
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Facelift History
The MY17 configuration is kept separate from the 2015 launch specification, which published different length, torque, acceleration, consumption and CO2 figures.
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Facelift Launched Since
2017
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Facelift Version Ending
2023
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Body Style
Convertible
Convertible
Model Year
2017
2026
Production Status
discontinued
Current South African retail range
Segment
Ultra-luxury convertible
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Vehicle Type
Passenger car
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Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Length
5295 mm
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Width
1947 mm
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Height
1502 mm
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Wheelbase
3112 mm
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Ground Clearance (Default)
149 mm
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Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
149 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
82 l
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Boot/Cargo Space
321 l
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Kerb Weight
2560 kg
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Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3040 kg
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Payload Capacity
480 kg
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Towing Capacity
0 kg
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Seating Capacity
4 seats
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Number of Rows
2 rows
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Doors
2 doors
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Minimum Turning Radius
6.35 m
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Front Headroom
1018 mm
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Rear Headroom
963 mm
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Front Legroom
1054 mm
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Rear Legroom
937 mm
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Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Engine
6.592-litre twin-turbo V12
3982/V8
Engine Code
N74B66A
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Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
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Engine Displacement
6592 cc
3982 cc
Cylinders
12
8
Cylinder Layout
V
V
Valves
48
-
Valves per Cylinder
4
-
Aspiration
Twin Turbocharged
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Fuel System
Direct Injection
-
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
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Bore
89 mm
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Stroke
88.3 mm
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Maximum Power
420 kW @ 5250-6000 rpm
430 kW
Maximum Torque
820 Nm @ 1600-4750 rpm
800 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
-
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
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Motor Type
Not Applicable
-
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
-
Motor Location
Not Applicable
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Drive Type
RWD
-
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
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Top Speed
250 km/h
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0-100 km/h
5.0 sec
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Quarter Mile
12.8 sec
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Drive Modes
Low
-
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
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Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
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Power-to-Weight Ratio
164.1 kW/tonne
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Torque-to-Weight Ratio
320.3 Nm/tonne
-
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
-
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
-
Battery Type
Not Applicable
-
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
-
Electric Range
Not Applicable
-
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
-
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
-
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
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DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
-
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
-
Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Gearbox
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
-
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
-
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
-
Paddle Shifters
No
-
Final Drive Ratio
2.813
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Number of Gears
8
-
Transmission Type
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
-
Clutch Type
Torque converter
-
Gear Shift Type
Steering-column selector for 8-speed automatic
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Drivetrain
RWD
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4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
-
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
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4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
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4WD Selector
Not Applicable
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Automatic Shift Paddles
No
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Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
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Gearbox Type
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
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Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
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Low Range
Not Applicable
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Axle Layout
Two axles
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Transmission Speeds
8
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Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Claimed Mileage
6.99 km/l
-
City Mileage
4.59 km/l
-
Highway Mileage
10.10 km/l
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Fuel Tank Capacity
82 l
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Emission Standard
EU6
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AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
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Auto Start Stop
No automatic engine stop/start
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Real-world Mileage
6.99 km/l
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Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
-
Charging Type
Not Applicable
-
Fuel Tank Litres
82
-
Combined Driving Range
575 km
-
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
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Range Real World Mixed
522.93 km
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Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Airbags
6
-
ABS
Standard
-
Electronic Stability Control
ESP
-
Traction Control
Standard
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Hill Start Assist
Hill-start assist
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Child Safety Lock
Not Applicable
-
ISOFIX Mounts
LATCH child-seat anchor system
-
Brake Assist
Dynamic Brake Control
-
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
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Engine Immobiliser
Engine immobiliser
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Driver and front-passenger seat-belt warning sensor
-
Front Parking Sensors
Front Park Distance Control
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AEB
Available
-
BA
Dynamic Brake Control
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Curtain Airbags
Not Applicable
-
Driver Airbag
Standard
-
EBD
Standard
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Engine Immobiliser
Standard
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Hill Hold
Hill-start assist
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Passenger Airbag
Standard
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Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front and rear
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Seatbelt Reminder
Driver and front-passenger seat-belt warning sensor
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Side Airbags
Front side-impact airbags
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Stability Control
ESP
-
TCS
Standard
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Knee Airbag
Front active knee protection
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ABS EBD
Standard
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Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Cruise Control
Automatic Cruise Control
-
Adaptive Cruise Control
Automatic distance-control cruise with stop-and-start traffic response
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Lane Departure Warning
Optional
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Parking Sensors
Park-distance system
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Rear View Camera
Optional rear-view camera with top view
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360 Degree Camera
Optional camera system with rear, top and side views
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Autonomous Emergency Braking
Available
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Auto Highbeam
Glare-free high-beam technology
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Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing variable-speed wipers
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Rear Parking Sensors
Rear Park Distance Control
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Reverse Camera
Optional rear-view camera with top view
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Adaptive Cruise Control
Automatic distance-control cruise with stop-and-start traffic response
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Park Assist
Front and rear parking sensors
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Around View Monitor
Optional camera system with rear, top and side views
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Forward Collision Warning
Pre-collision safety system
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Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Seat Material
Leather
-
Heated Seats
Front; standard
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Ventilated Seats
Optional front ventilated seats
-
Ambient Lighting
Optional – Atmospheric Interior Environment
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Steering Wheel Material
Leather
-
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
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Driver Seat Adjustment
Electrically adjustable with lumbar adjustment and memory
-
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electrically adjustable with lumbar adjustment
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Seat Trim
Leather
-
Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Climate Control
Individual front and rear climate controls
-
Power Windows
Standard
-
Keyless Entry
Comfort Entry keyless access
-
Push Button Start
Keyless ignition
-
Sunroof
Not Applicable
-
Electric Tailgate
Smart power opening and closing luggage-compartment lid
-
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
-
AC Type
Individual front and rear climate controls
-
Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Infotainment System
Multimedia interface and navigation with Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller
-
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
-
Number of Speakers
18
-
Digital Instrument Cluster
Analogue instruments with Power Reserve gauge
-
USB Ports
Standard
-
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch high-definition display
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Touchscreen
10.25-inch high-definition display
-
Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
LED Headlamps
Standard
-
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
-
Roof Rails
Not Applicable
-
Exterior Colour Options
Bespoke exterior colour commissioning
-
Headlights
Standard
-
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Applicable
-
Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
-
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
-
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
-
Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Tyre Size
Front 255/45 R20 101Y; rear 285/40 R20 104Y
-
Front Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc
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Rear Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc
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Spare Wheel Type
No spare wheel; run-flat tyres
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Wheel Rim Size
Front 8.5 x 20; rear 9.5 x 20
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Handbrake Type
Electromechanical parking brake acting on the rear wheels
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Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Front Suspension
Double-wishbone pneumatic suspension with newly designed self-levelling air springs, active roll control and continuous electronic damping
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Rear Suspension
Multi-link pneumatic suspension with newly designed self-levelling air springs, active roll control and continuous electronic damping
-
Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
CO2 Emissions
326 g/km
309 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
Designed for 95 RON; minimum 91 RON
-
Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Service Plan
4 years, unlimited kilometres
-
Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Ownership Role
Historical South African Dawn derivative launched locally in March 2016 and documented locally in 2018; the March 2022 global Dawn order-book closure is an outer bound, not proof of the exact South African withdrawal year, while production ended in 2023.
Displayed price includes 15% VAT; CO2 tax is separate where listed; five-year/100,000 km service and maintenance plan may be excluded.
Pricing Role
Historical price on application
Current South African retail price
Price Zar
Not confirmed
5092000 ZAR
Spec
Dawn
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Warranty
4 years, unlimited kilometres
-
In depth: how these cars differ
This Dawn and Mercedes-Maybach SL comparison brings together local model information and available derivatives for South Africa. Prices and specifications appear only where they have been recorded for this market.
Hagalu has withheld an overall score because at least one selected vehicle does not yet have four comparable categories and 50% weighted source coverage. Missing catalogue evidence is not replaced with a neutral score or a guessed value.
Use the key-spec and full-spec tables to compare the fields that are confirmed. For a purchase decision, verify current availability, exact derivative equipment, finance, insurance and ownership cover with the relevant manufacturer or authorised retailer.
Model imagery
Dawn and Mercedes-Maybach SL image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
Hagalu does not turn missing specifications into neutral scores or guessed values.
Fail closed
Score withheld: fewer than four comparable categories or less than 50% weighted source coverage for at least one vehicle.
Use the verified key-spec and full-spec tables on this page. A ranked index will appear only after every selected vehicle has source-backed data in at least four categories and reaches 50% weighted coverage.
What the evidence means
No overall winner is declared because the selected vehicles do not yet meet Hagalu's minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold. Compare the confirmed rows and verify the exact derivative before buying.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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