|
Price |
|
-- |
Production |
|
-- |
|
Engine |
6
liter V12 |
Weight |
-- |
|
Aspiration |
twin
turbochargers |
Torque |
738
lb-ft @ 2200 - 4200 rpm |
|
HP |
670
hp @ 5400 rpm |
HP/Weight |
-- |
|
HP/Liter |
111.7 hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
-- |
|
0-62 mph |
3.8
seconds |
Top Speed |
199
mph |
(from Mercedes-Benz
Press Release) 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 coup 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 Newtonmetres 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 coup'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 Newtonmetres 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 Newtonmetres. 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 3.8 seconds to reach 100 km/h;
200 km/h is attained after 11.0 seconds. The top speed is 320 km/h
(electronically limited).
The most important data
are summarised below:
Configuration and number of cylinders V12
valves per cylinder 3
Cubic capacity cm 5980
Bore x stroke mm 82.6 x 93.0
Compression ratio 9.0: 1
Power output kW/hp at rpm 493/670 @ 5400
Max. torque Nm at rpm 1000* @ 2200-4200
Acceleration 0-100 km/h s 3.8
0-200 km/h s 11.0
Top speed km/h 320*
* electronically
limited.
Equally responsible for its excellent dynamics is the attractive
power-to-weight ratio of only 2.79 hp/kg, resulting from the
comparably low unladen weight of 1870 kilograms, according to EU
standard measurement. This makes the SL 65 AMG Black Series some 250
kilograms lighter than the SL 65 AMG - a respectable weight saving
due specifically to the use of lightweight construction. Numerous
bodywork components are made of high-strength and particularly light
carbon fibre composites (CFRP), a well-proven motorsports
technology. The 14 centimetre wider front mudguard, the front apron
with the visible carbon front splitter, the bonnet and the boot lid
are all made from CFRP. Large apertures in the bonnet ensure that
excess heat is reliably ducted away from the engine. "V12 Biturbo
lettering on the front mudguards gives an indication of the engine's
power.
New CFRP roof with integral
roll-over bar
The whole CFRP roof
shell has taken on a completely new design. Not only does it now
have an integral roll-over bar but, by no longer having the typical
SL vario roof installed, the roof line has a significantly flatter
profile. This is also evident from a glance at the bigger rear
window, now placed at a less sharp angle to the boot lid. The CFRP
rear spoiler, concealed in the boot lid, automatically extends
twelve centimetres at 120 km/h, effectively reducing the lift force
on the rear axle at high speeds. Looked at from the rear, the
conspicuous feature is the new rear apron with its visible carbon
diffuser. Concealed within it is the active cooling system for the
rear axle locking differential.
New, weight-optimised, twin-spoke design, AMG forged alloy wheels -
19 inch wheels at the front and 20 inch at the rear - impressively
occupy the whole of each wheel housing. With their black paintwork,
high-sheen surface and matt finish, they lend a note of extravagance
to the side profile.
Power transmission with
double-declutch function and four transmission modes
Matching the outstanding
performance potential and the versatile drive dynamics, the SL 65
AMG Black Series also displays its power pack and suspension at
their best. An AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS five-speed automatic gearbox
transmits power to the rear wheels. There is a choice between four
transmission modes: "C", "S", "M1" and "M2" which has gearshift
times 25 per cent quicker than the "M1" mode. The torque converter's
lockup clutch guarantees extremely direct gearshifting in all
driving situations right from first gear. The automatic
double-declutch function not only makes shifting down a more
pleasurable task, it also ensures that the load alteration effect is
reduced.
AMG adjustable coil spring sports
suspension and 3-stage ESP
As for the suspension,
the AMG experts have put their trust in a new design. The AMG sports
suspension has been designed on adjustable coil spring lines; this
well-proven motorsports solution allows the shock absorbers' rebound
and compression stages, the ride height, wheel alignment and camber
to be adjusted. This means that the driver can adjust the suspension
to suit his own personal specifications when driving on racing
circuits. The spring links, camber struts and pull/push rods on both
axles are new developments and each axle has a weight-optimised
aluminium wheel carrier. Compared with the standard SL 65 AMG, the
Black Series front axle track width is 97 millimetres wider and the
rear axle track width 85 millimetres wider. The new front axle
kinematics produce an 8 per cent more direct steering ratio; and the
completely re-designed elastokinematics ensure noticeably greater
steering precision. A multiple-disc limited-slip differential on the
rear axle with a 40 per cent locking effect guarantees optimum
traction.
The 3-stage sports
function ESP is a by-word for maximum driving pleasure and
outstanding drive dynamics: The driver can choose between "ESP ON",
"ESP SPORT" and "ESP OFF" by pressing the ESP button; the AMG
instrument cluster will then show whichever mode is currently
activated on the central display.
Sports tyres and composite disc
brakes for best performance
The wheel-tyre
combination chosen is also responsible for a superb performance by
the SL 65 AMG Black Series on racing circuits. 265/35 R 19 tyres are
fitted to 9.5 inch wide AMG light-alloy wheels on the front axle.
The impressive format for the rear axle is AMG 11.5 x 20 light-alloy
wheels with 325/30 R 20 tyres. Dunlop, DTM's motorsports partner,
supplies the "Sport Maxx GT" sport tyres which provide particularly
good grip and permit astonishing cornering speeds.
The large AMG
high-performance brake system can be seen through the filigree
structure of the AMG twin-spoke light-alloy wheels. Internally
ventilated and perforated disc brakes engineered in particularly
strong composite materials are employed all round. On the front
axle, braking is undertaken by six-piston fixed callipers and 390 x
36 mm discs; on the rear axles, this task is carried out by
four-piston fixed callipers and 360 x 26 mm discs.
A functional and lovingly designed
interior
Nappa leather, Alcantara
and carbon: the interior of the SL 65 AMG Black Series provides the
perfect ambience to set the pulses of sports car enthusiasts racing.
The interior, entirely in black, exudes the functional atmosphere of
a genuine racing sports car while the lovingly designed details have
the power to captivate.
Newly developed AMG
sports bucket seats made of CFRP (ECE version only) provide perfect
lateral support for the occupants when taking bends fast. The seats
without side airbags are upholstered in fine-grained nappa leather
and Alcantara with embossed AMG lettering in the head restraints.
With its 15 millimetre smaller diameter, flattened lower profile and
with both sides perforated for easier grip, the AMG Performance
steering wheel provides maximum vehicle control. The silver-coloured
aluminium shift paddles allow manual gear selection.
Additional highlights in
the centre console are the high-quality carbon trim parts, the
gleaming matt start/stop button, the new selector lever with carbon
inlay and the AMG logo with "Black Series" lettering. Matching
features are the carbon door centre panels with embossed AMG
lettering, together with the roof lining and the A and C-pillars
upholstered in Alcantara anthracite.
The AMG instrument
cluster is a completely new design. The black speedometer with its
scale reading up to 360 km/h has also been re-designed; and the same
is true of the white rev counter which has four integral LEDs to
advise the driver of the optimum gearshift points.
Exhaustive development in all the
world's climate zones
Exhaustive development
and testing of the SL 65 AMG Black Series began in 2006. AMG
engineers and technicians test drove ten prototypes and experimental
vehicles in all the world's climate zones. Whether it was fast
circuits of the Nrburgring, high-speed test driving in Nardo
(Italy), wind tunnel testing, intensive test driving in summer heat
or the cold of the Arctic or actual crash testing the new AMG
high-performance coup had to prove its production readiness under
all conditions. In total, the SL 65 AMG Black Series was test-driven
for roughly 30,000 kilometres on various circuits, 15,000 kilometres
of which were on the Nrburgring north loop alone, acknowledged to
be the world's most difficult race circuit.
Like the SLK 55 AMG
Black Series and the CLK 63 AMG Black Series before it, the SL 65
AMG Black Series was also developed in the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO,
which opened in 2006. The first vehicles will be delivered to
customers, starting in November 2008. Further information about the
SL 65 AMG Black Series is on the Mercedes-AMG website under
www.mercedes-amg.com .
