At Laguna Seca with AMG and the SL65 Black Series

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Rate Thread

Nov 7, 2008 | 12:32 AM

Jon2007E63P30

Thread Starter

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 1,717

Likes: 17

From: San Jose, CA

2007 E63 w/P30 and Eurotech CF Diffuser

At Laguna Seca with AMG and the SL65 Black Series

After seeing that AMG was already at Laguna Seca with their SL65's I decided to go down there today. I arrived at 3:30PM.

First, given that AMG arrived a few days ago and will not be picking up and leaving until after 11-16, this is a HUGE marketing campaign. They are hosting the press this week and next. The cost of "owning" Laguna Seca for nearly 2 weeks is amazing. The tents they put up include 2 powered lifts that had to be installed. They have complete facilities to service and fix the cars if they break. Since they are running the cars for this much time, they have loads of tires and other supplies. A full time staff is there to clean the cars as they come off the track (Laguna Seca is a dirty dusty track).

The white CLK63's are driven by AMG staff to regulate the laps around the track. The format I saw was 1 CLK leading 2 SL65BS. These CLK63s generate 580HP when not detuned to meet the 92dB sound limitation Laguna Seca has in place most of the time. The frustrated driver was saying that they had to detune to around 450HP to keep the noise down, and add mufflers. The CLK63s are pure race cars. Lots of carbon fibre. The door felt like it weighed <5lbs. These cars were developed for promotional purposes only and spend most of their time giving laps around the Nurbering for paying customers.

Both the CLK63s and the SL65BS were running the track well. Lots of screaming tires and the exhaust note was just incredible. And, they were FAST. Whoever buys an SL65 Black Series is going to have an incredible piece of engineering, elegance, style, comfort, and a no holds bared race car. Listening to the shifts from the SL65, they really have the 5spd shifting quick. And, did I mention the sound? Music. 63 V8 + 65 V12TT - a symphony.

Oh yes, the CLK63s had race brakes on and they squeeled like crazy during slow stops in the paddock. Now I don't feel so bad about the low level squeel from my E63's brakes.

Speak German? Laguna Seca is a great place to come and practive because there are at least 2 dozen people from AMG on hand. Oh I wish I could have got a little tune from the experts!!!

I never went over to the pre-grid area where they were hosting the press because I figured that would be a quick way to wear out my welcome. It was great talking to the drivers and technical people who were making sure the cars were running strong.

Although I saw some tire tracks off track in a couple places, and a little slide out of turn 3 from one of the SL65s, there were no incidents.

So, here are some pictures and I will post all the short video clip links once they upload into youtube. And yes, that is my E63 the AMG driver is leaning on and that is me in the purple shirt, in the CLK63.

To those from AMG I met at the track. Thank you. Danke schön!

Nov 7, 2008 | 12:53 AM

Jon2007E63P30

Thread Starter

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 1,717

Likes: 17

From: San Jose, CA

2007 E63 w/P30 and Eurotech CF Diffuser

The Videos

Nov 7, 2008 | 01:26 AM

chiromikey

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 6,649

Likes: 207

'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R

thanks for sharing!!!

Nov 7, 2008 | 01:56 AM

MHP

Banned

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 2,587

Likes: 0

'09 C63 AMG

Those cars are pure sex.

Thanks for the pics.

Nov 7, 2008 | 02:12 AM

Thericker

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 9,155

Likes: 20

From: Southern, CA.

V12-Biturbo

Dayum! Looks even better on the move, thanks for the superb update/report

Last edited by Thericker; Nov 7, 2008 at 02:19 AM.

Nov 7, 2008 | 02:18 AM

aleksandar1099

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 2,198

Likes: 43

From: Scottsdale, AZ

Mercedes

unbelievable!! thanks for sharing!!

Nov 7, 2008 | 07:43 AM

Yacht Master

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 3,642

Likes: 13

From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado

E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s

Fantastic!! Jon I am so glad you got in, and had the time to post up the great pics and vids. From my correspondence with AMG this event will be like no other. I am impressed with the "real race cars" I guess that is what AMG referred to as the surprise.
That SL65BS is giving me an itch.

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Verdad Gallardo

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Verdad Gallardo

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Verdad Gallardo

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Verdad Gallardo

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Verdad Gallardo

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Verdad Gallardo

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Verdad Gallardo

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Verdad Gallardo

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Verdad Gallardo

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Verdad Gallardo

Nov 7, 2008 | 11:02 AM

slavik

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 279

Likes: 1

g63

purely awesome...thanks for sharing... the sl65BS is badass...

Nov 7, 2008 | 11:26 AM

#10

MJ50

Super Moderator

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 22,060

Likes: 972

From: MBworld

bone stock E55 AMG

luv BS bumper...
that CLK is

Nov 7, 2008 | 11:26 AM

#11

MJ50

Super Moderator

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 22,060

Likes: 972

From: MBworld

bone stock E55 AMG

u should ask them to send 1 car to Saprissa meet...

Nov 7, 2008 | 11:33 AM

#12

DFW01E55

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 2,566

Likes: 7

'14 ML BT

Thanks for the update Jon!

They're using Dunlop tires on the SL Black?
I wonder what happened to the Corsa's?

Nov 7, 2008 | 02:34 PM

#13

LZH

Banned

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 2,735

Likes: 1

CLK 63 Black Series, 2009 S550, 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, BMW F800 GS Anniv Edition

Jon - Thanks very much for taking the time to post this stuff - must have been an awesome atmosphere !!!
A few questions for you - Is the CLK running the stock 7A transmission ? You referred to the doors being very light - do you know if the door's outer bodywork is carbon fiber (I assume it is) ? Did you get a ride in one ?? I see you sat in the drivers seat, can you please comment on the cockpit, dash layout etc.....? Thanks in advance !!!

Nov 7, 2008 | 02:43 PM

#14

LZH

Banned

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 2,735

Likes: 1

CLK 63 Black Series, 2009 S550, 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, BMW F800 GS Anniv Edition

Anyone notice how CLOSE the SL BS is to the bumper of the CLK in this photo ??

Nov 7, 2008 | 03:54 PM

#15

Jon2007E63P30

Thread Starter

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 1,717

Likes: 17

From: San Jose, CA

2007 E63 w/P30 and Eurotech CF Diffuser

Quote:

Originally Posted by LZH

I plan to go back down there this weekend, and I will see if I can answer your questions. I am going to take a proper video camera.

I can tell you that the dash is a typical custom fabrication for a race car. There is nothing left that would be in a production car. I did not get a ride in one, but it is fitted with a passenger seat. If I wanted to do that, I think there are still openings for the 15th/16th, but it costs $2750. No Way. Have you seen my video of the CLK F1 Pace car ride? This was at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N59zfxZe8cs
Yes, I know I am laughing like Beavis and Butthead.

Nov 7, 2008 | 04:18 PM

#16

Thericker

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 9,155

Likes: 20

From: Southern, CA.

V12-Biturbo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon2007E63P30

Errr just a lil' like Butthead

awesome vid thanks for sharing..

Nov 7, 2008 | 05:31 PM

#17

LZH

Banned

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 2,735

Likes: 1

CLK 63 Black Series, 2009 S550, 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, BMW F800 GS Anniv Edition

Another great video - Thanks Jon. Was that LVMS ride in the CLK BS safety car or the DTM car ? Motor sounded pretty sick....lots of revs. Again, thanks for all the info man - much appreciated. Whatever further info you can get about these white CLK's at Laguna would be great !!! Take care and have a great weeknd - I know you will !!

Last edited by LZH; Nov 7, 2008 at 08:34 PM.

Nov 7, 2008 | 06:19 PM

#18

nlpamg

Super Moderator Alumni

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 8,692

Likes: 58

From: So Cal.

2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre

wow, great post!

thanks for sharing!

Nov 8, 2008 | 09:23 AM

#19

c32AMG-DTM

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 2,949

Likes: 0

From: Philadelphia, PA

2008 A8L, 2002 996TT X50, 2009 X5

Quote:

Originally Posted by LZH

Anyone notice how CLOSE the SL BS is to the bumper of the CLK in this photo ??

Yep!!! I loved that pic the most. In addition, to my eyes, the SL65 looks even meaner than the CLK

Nov 9, 2008 | 10:27 AM

#20

prodigymb

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 2,172

Likes: 3

From: Philly

997TT, C192 GT63, W464 G550, MS Plaid

nice photos !

Nov 11, 2008 | 10:43 AM

#21

JosephLINY-E55

Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 110

Likes: 0

From: Commack, Long Island New York

2005 E55 AMG

Totally awesome, thanks for taking the time and sharing!!!

Mar 25, 2009 | 02:35 AM

#22

Jon2007E63P30

Thread Starter

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 1,717

Likes: 17

From: San Jose, CA

2007 E63 w/P30 and Eurotech CF Diffuser

Last edited by Jon2007E63P30; Mar 25, 2009 at 02:43 AM.

Mar 25, 2009 | 04:14 AM

#23

Maddic

Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 221

Likes: 2

From: Socal

i am loving it. Anyway, the sl65 bs was shown on speedtv Monday nite. It was on SuperCars Exposed episode where Tanner was invited to tour the AMG factory...