Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series (2009-) Review

Overview

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Mercedes-Benz's ace tuning division, AMG, has a clear policy for its 'Black Series' models. All must have just two seats and closed roofs and each new version will not be offered for sale until its predecessor has ceased production. Hence this new SL65 AMG Black Series is hitting the market only now that the fabulous CLK Black Series has breathed its last. It is, in fact, the third Black Series model, but the less said about the SLK version that kicked off the sub-brand, the better.

But this SL is taking the Black Series experiment into wholly uncharted territories as a quick look as some of the more salient facts surrounding it will show.

With a 670bhp, twin turbo, V12 motor, it is the most powerful Mercedes ever built. Were it not for electronic intervention at 200mph, its top speed would be around 220mph, making it also the quickest Mercedes yet, eclipsing even the mighty SLR McLaren. AMG bosses even insist that it will lap a track faster than the SLR. It is not, however, the most expensive Mercedes ever built because its £250,000 price tag is trumped by the £346,570 SLR Roadster. But that does still make it just over £95,000 more expensive than the SL65 AMG upon which it's based. And if you think that might make potential customers' eyes water a bit, it hasn't: just eight out of a total production run of 350 will come to the UK and they're all already sold.

To be fair to Mercedes, the Black Series SL is a very different animal to any other. For a start, and to comply with the AMG mandate that all such cars be closed, the normal car's retractable hard top has been replaced by an immovable carbon-fibre roof. Carbon fibre is also used for the bumpers, front wings, boot lid and bonnet, leaving only the rear wings and doors made from metal. The suspension uses coil instead of air springs for their faster response rates, the steering has been quickened and the brake and ESP reprogrammed to take account of the extra performance.

The internals of the 6-litre engine have been left untouched but by enlarging the turbos and improving breathing, a power rise from 612bhp to 670bhp has been achieved. It may seem strange to discover that all this power finds its way to the rear wheels via a standard five-speed automatic gearbox, particularly when Mercedes' excellent seven-speed auto is available on a lowly C-class. Truth is Mercedes only has one 'box that will take the astronomical 737lb-ft of torque its engine develops and it is a rather ancient five-speeder. Still, with that much torque, it's not as if extra gears are actually needed.