i think i've found my next car!!!
#1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
i think i've found my next car!!!
never thought the sl's were that good looking...until now!!!
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=125568#2
SANTA MONICA, California — It won't make its official debut until this summer, but the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series is already staking its claim as one of the most extreme Mercedes-Benzes ever built.
It starts with a 6.0-liter twin turbo V12 engine. In the standard SL65 AMG it pumps out a healthy 604 horsepower, but in the Black Series the same engine gets cranked up to 670 hp. The torque peak won't increase, but given that it already sits at 738 pound-feet, there's really isn't a need for more. The five-speed automatic transmission, torque converter and all, will remain, but it will get two Sport shift programs, with the second delivering quicker gearchanges timed at just 250 milliseconds.
In addition to the added power, the engineers at Mercedes-Benz concentrated on reducing the car's weight. AMG's engineers chucked the heavy airbag suspension setup on the standard SL65 for steel coil springs, lost the Active Body Control system and made the Black's trunk, vented hood, roof, vented front fenders and bumpers out of carbon fiber.
Weight savings also turned the car into a coupe. Instead of a heavy folding hardtop, the Black Series gets a fixed roof fortified with a fully integrated roll cage. The changes reduce the car's overall weight by 570 pounds and give it a power-to-weight ratio of 1 horsepower per 6.1 pounds.
During a sneak peak of the car during the 2008 New York Auto Show, Thomas Rappel, the CEO of AMG, also told us that the folding roof was also nixed because it didn't fit between the Black's massive 325/30ZR20 rear tires. The sharp-eyed will also notice that the SL65 Black is 5-10 inches wider (AMG wouldn't tell us exactly how wide) than a drop-top SL and its roof line is now longer. "We wanted it to look more like a proper coupe," Rappel said during a tour of the car.
The brakes and steering system are identical to those found in the Performance Package offered on the recently introduced SL63 AMG. One noticeable change will be the wheel and tires package. Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT tires will be fitted, and the front tires measure "only" 265/35ZR19s. The Black will also get two suspension settings which we'd bet are stiff and stiffer.
It all adds up to a coupe that will be able to go from zero to 60 mph in less than 4.0 seconds and have a top speed of 198 mph. A retractable spoiler will help to generate 77 pounds of downforce above 60 mph, which is the speed it magically rises from the deck lid.
Interior changes are minimal. It will get the same AMG seats as the standard model (the carbon seats have no side airbags so they won't make it into U.S.-spec cars) along with a flat-bottom steering wheel, an Alcantara headliner and a navigation system. Black will be the only interior color offered, and the carbon-fiber trim on the door panels and console is appropriate. The projected price is more than $225,000 and there will be no options. Expect to see the official unveil this summer, with sales starting this fall. Only 350 units will be built.
"We strive to supply American customers with what they want," Rappel told us. "And in this case what they want is performance."
What this means to you: The Corvette ZR1 is extreme. The SL65 AMG Black Series is downright ridiculous. You want one and you know it. — Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
It starts with a 6.0-liter twin turbo V12 engine. In the standard SL65 AMG it pumps out a healthy 604 horsepower, but in the Black Series the same engine gets cranked up to 670 hp. The torque peak won't increase, but given that it already sits at 738 pound-feet, there's really isn't a need for more. The five-speed automatic transmission, torque converter and all, will remain, but it will get two Sport shift programs, with the second delivering quicker gearchanges timed at just 250 milliseconds.
In addition to the added power, the engineers at Mercedes-Benz concentrated on reducing the car's weight. AMG's engineers chucked the heavy airbag suspension setup on the standard SL65 for steel coil springs, lost the Active Body Control system and made the Black's trunk, vented hood, roof, vented front fenders and bumpers out of carbon fiber.
Weight savings also turned the car into a coupe. Instead of a heavy folding hardtop, the Black Series gets a fixed roof fortified with a fully integrated roll cage. The changes reduce the car's overall weight by 570 pounds and give it a power-to-weight ratio of 1 horsepower per 6.1 pounds.
During a sneak peak of the car during the 2008 New York Auto Show, Thomas Rappel, the CEO of AMG, also told us that the folding roof was also nixed because it didn't fit between the Black's massive 325/30ZR20 rear tires. The sharp-eyed will also notice that the SL65 Black is 5-10 inches wider (AMG wouldn't tell us exactly how wide) than a drop-top SL and its roof line is now longer. "We wanted it to look more like a proper coupe," Rappel said during a tour of the car.
The brakes and steering system are identical to those found in the Performance Package offered on the recently introduced SL63 AMG. One noticeable change will be the wheel and tires package. Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT tires will be fitted, and the front tires measure "only" 265/35ZR19s. The Black will also get two suspension settings which we'd bet are stiff and stiffer.
It all adds up to a coupe that will be able to go from zero to 60 mph in less than 4.0 seconds and have a top speed of 198 mph. A retractable spoiler will help to generate 77 pounds of downforce above 60 mph, which is the speed it magically rises from the deck lid.
Interior changes are minimal. It will get the same AMG seats as the standard model (the carbon seats have no side airbags so they won't make it into U.S.-spec cars) along with a flat-bottom steering wheel, an Alcantara headliner and a navigation system. Black will be the only interior color offered, and the carbon-fiber trim on the door panels and console is appropriate. The projected price is more than $225,000 and there will be no options. Expect to see the official unveil this summer, with sales starting this fall. Only 350 units will be built.
"We strive to supply American customers with what they want," Rappel told us. "And in this case what they want is performance."
What this means to you: The Corvette ZR1 is extreme. The SL65 AMG Black Series is downright ridiculous. You want one and you know it. — Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
That wide stance says it all. WOW!! looks like a winner. bit too much coin for me . Maybe you will take me for a ride when you complete the purchase
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Trending Topics
#8
MBWorld Fanatic!
Who said car makers are going green ???
Wow thats pretty radical huh... I had my heart set on a P-GT2... but thats a monster machine... Its going to be vvv exclusive too so don't bet on heavy depreciation - might even be an investment as the last of the big power cars....They also finally got the weight down on this car.
A bit disappointed at the 198mph top-end though...a 997 GT2 has a better top end with more than 100hp less power... what gives - is this things top end limited?
Not sure about white colour - looks too wide/big (didn't think I would ever say that). In met. black this car would be a belter.
Wow thats pretty radical huh... I had my heart set on a P-GT2... but thats a monster machine... Its going to be vvv exclusive too so don't bet on heavy depreciation - might even be an investment as the last of the big power cars....They also finally got the weight down on this car.
A bit disappointed at the 198mph top-end though...a 997 GT2 has a better top end with more than 100hp less power... what gives - is this things top end limited?
Not sure about white colour - looks too wide/big (didn't think I would ever say that). In met. black this car would be a belter.
#14
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes
on
10 Posts
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
Best part is, in another article they basically looked into the camera and said this while winking at us, "We could have EASSSILY gotten 720 out of it, but we tuned it down to 670 (wink wink)"
Basically telling tuners, you'll get 50hp MINIMUM with ECU tweak.
Man what a car!!!
Basically telling tuners, you'll get 50hp MINIMUM with ECU tweak.
Man what a car!!!
#17
MB wouldn't accept my down payment; they said my word was good enough. They said I could take delivery of the valve stem caps later this year. I can't wait!! I should receive the rest of the car in 15 years. Patients are a virtue.
#22
Super Moderator
#23
MBWorld Fanatic!
is it just me or does anyone else see a little of the Audi S5 in the body. I know its lower but the hips and roof line look similar.
Either way HOT!!!!!!!
Either way HOT!!!!!!!