Staggering. That’s probably the best way to describe the performance figures of the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series. Peak power from the 6.0 V12 is 493kW (670hp) and torque is electronically limited to 1000Nm. Helped along by a couple of turbos the SL65 Black is good for a sub four second sprint to 100km/h and further electronic limiting reigns in the top speed to a lazy 320km/h (200mph).
See below for the press release and more images of this coupé that is certainly no shrinking violet. The styling is wild, slightly over the top, but it still looks great. Click on each picture for a 2000px super image.
The Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series — the Exclusive High-Performance Coupé for the Discerning Motorist
Affalterbach – Sensational appearance, unique performance data, with light-weight design throughout and total exclusivity—that’s the new Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series. This high-performance coupé is a motorsport engineering thoroughbred, opening up new drive dynamic vistas to sports car enthusiasts. The AMG 6.0 litre V12 biturbo engine, with a maximum output of 493 kW/670 hp and 1000 Newton metres of torque, guarantees super sports car level performance. The powerful two-seater was developed in the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO and represents the continuation of the highly successful Black Series strategy pursued by AMG, the Mercedes-Benz Cars Performance brand.
Broad, muscular and ready to pounce—that’s the new Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series. Even when stationary, the coupé’s superlative dynamism can arouse great passions. The strikingly broad mudguards, the retractable rear spoiler and the rear apron with diffuser fins point unmistakably to its motorsport origins, part of the Mercedes-AMG corporate philosophy for more than 40 years. One glance at the new SL 65 AMG Black Series and you are reminded of the successful AMG racing sports cars like the present DTM C-Class or the 1997 CLK-GTR from the FIA-GT series.
Wide cooling air apertures in the front apron and the bonnet are the clearest indication of the massive power of this AMG twelve-cylinder, biturbocharged engine. From its 5980 cubic capacity, the AMG V12’s engine generates a maximum power of 493 kW/670 hp at 5400 rpm and an electronically limited torque of 1000 Newton metres between 2200 and 4200 rpm. Without a limiter, the AMG 6.0 litre V12 biturbo engine, which is hand-built in the AMG engine factory in accordance with the “one man – one engine” philosophy, would achieve a maximum torque of 1200 Newton metres. Compared with the basis power pack in the 450 kW/612 hp SL 65 AMG, new turbochargers were developed for the twelve-cylinder SL 65 AMG Black Series engine. The turbochargers’ spiral cross-section, now twelve per cent larger, and the optimised wastegate ducts permit increased air throughput and an even more impressive display of power in all engine speed ranges. The modified intake air ducting results in an even more spontaneous response. The new design for the AMG sports exhaust gas system’s rear silencers reduce the exhaust gas backpressure and help increase the power output. The acoustic side effect of this is to produce a distinctive twelve-cylinder sound, typically evocative of AMG engine tuning, from the two trapezoidal tail pipes. The low-temperature charge air cooler, now 30 per cent more powerful, and the optimised water cooling system guarantee not only that the power generated under extreme dynamic driving conditions is exploited to the maximum but also the greatest possible fatigue strength at high outside temperatures.
Unique performance thanks to attractive power-to-weight ratio
The extraordinary engine specifications, which make the SL 65 AMG Black Series the most powerful AMG model yet, help to produce unique performance data: from a standing start, it takes just 3.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h; top speed is 320 km/h (electronically limited).
The most important data are summarised below:
Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black images
- Configuration and number of cylinders – V12
- Valves per cylinder – 3
- Cubic capacity cm³ – 5980
- Bore x stroke mm – 82.6 x 93.0
- Compression ratio – 9.0: 1
- Power output kW/hp – 493/670 (5400 rpm)
- Maximum torque Nm – 1000* (2200-4200 rpm)
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h – 3.9 seconds
- Top speed km/h – 320*
* electronically limited
