Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series Will Boast 670 Horsepower

[warot]

I think potential buyers of this car may be put off by the now ancient 5 speed automatic gearbox. But the bigger question is why does Mercedes-AMG need to produce this car? I already know people who see this SL Black Series as nothing but a glorified SL600 in drag.

The SL Black Series will still weigh in at close to two tonnes and its nose heavy weight distribution will make it an uncompelling car to drive on back roads let alone a racetrack. I always doubted how Mercedes-AMG could make a two tonne SL65 dance and I think the driving experience of the SL Black Series will come up far short of expectation. The motoring press will undoubtedly and invariably compare it to the Ferrari 599GTB and we all know that the SL Black Series will trounce the 599GTB in straight line performance but would be absolutely nowhere on back roads. The Press will also have a field day bashing the SL Black Series for its ancient 5 speed automatic gearbox.

I always wondered why Mercedes didn't engineer the 7 speed gearbox to handle the 1000Nm that it's V12 engines can muster. Mercedes always argued an engine with so much torque does not need a 7 speed gearbox. That is partly true, but let me tell those arrogant engineers at Unterturkheim that the supercar market has moved on and potential buyers now expects and demands the best and latest. A six or seven speed gearbox (double clutch or not) is now de riguer.

Just look at Bugatti Veyron. It's 1000BHP engine probably never needed a gearbox in the first place. But Dr Ferdinand Piech insisted the Veyron to have the best gearbox on offer and it was duly delivered by Wolfgang Schreiber (Engineering Director of Bugatti) and Ricardo. Hats off to you Messrs Piech and Schreiber and the engineers at Ricardo!!!!

Once again, see the SL Black Series as a German Corvette or a German Hotrod and you will not be disappointed.

Personally, I'd take a Ferrari 599GTB over the SL Black Series anytime.

Pretty much exactly what I was going to say. While the SL is probably the best looking Benz out there (I just cannot ignore the CL), putting a huge V12 will probably hurt the balance of the car. Also the tranny will also be a concern.

 

[Merc1]

Yeah I too if I'm honest will have to say that I wanted the AMG V8 with about 600hp, the new MCT transmission, and a much lighter weight package overall. Unless they've performed some sort of miracle this Black Series isn't going to be all it can be. We know the AMG V8 will produce 580hp with no sweat so I'm not sure why they went with the old V12 and 5-speed. That said lets just wait and see what they final/official package is like. Oh...why has this thread been moved to the SLR section?

M

 

[PanterroR]

Re: From Edmunds Inside Line

I think this thread is in the wrong section.

M

Not anymore.

 

[bum-man]

I don't understand all this talk making it seem that the V12 mated to the 5-speed will be a slouch? If it is indeed as light as they are saying it is and geared agressively it will be ludicrously fast.

 

[warot]

I don't understand all this talk making it seem that the V12 mated to the 5-speed will be a slouch? If it is indeed as light as they are saying it is and geared agressively it will be ludicrously fast.

We are saying that it's gonna be way quick in a straight line, no doubt about it. But the fact that it is still heavy and having a huge V12 engine in the front, geared to an old 5 speed means that it probably won't be that quick on the track.

However, like Merc was saying, if it was a V8 with a new transmission (I'm positive that would lower the overall weight), it would be more capable on a track. After all, isn't that what the Black Series is all about?

Having said that, still one of my favorite Benz though

 

[Sunny]

It is also always not all about the speed, but the experience, that is what sets the great cars like 599GTB, GT3 apart from the good ones. And I doubt a torque monster tied to 5 speed slush box is going to deliver on the experience front. Given how much they have put into the car's balls to the metal looks, I am still holding out hope it is a V8 (hopefully a new TT version) with the new MCT transmission.

 

[LaArtist]

its not set in stone.. its just some website or mag wanting attention ..
so lets wait and see what they do ..
personally i dont belive it will just be a straight line rocket..

 

[Merc1]

I too hope Edmunds is wrong, but they're usually right on the money. I'm just shocked that Mercedes would give it such and old-school powertrain when the facelifted SL63 has the most exotic powertrain of any Mercedes-Benz. The Black Series IMO is supposed to be an extension of that, not the SL65. Imagine the AMG V8 with 600hp in naturally aspirated form with the new MCT gearbox and that wild body, now that would be the AMG to end all doubts about AMG's capability.

Still though I still want to see this car and I'll reserve final judgement until all important press drives it. They could have cut enough weight to make the V12 handle and it appears that ABC and all the folding roof mechanicals are gone, that should be good for some real weight savings. A totally new suspension is in play here, but that gearbox...I just don't see what else they can do with 5-speeds.

M

 

[Pagani]

As I ranted about the gearbox myself, I understand where you all are coming from. However, to the one that said that magazines will bash it, they haven't had anything but praise for it, especially when mated to the V12.

It is a bit ludicrous to bash the handling of this car for its nose-heaviness before anyone has even driven it yet. Remember, this car now weights comparably to the C class AMG, it is one of the lightest cars MB has produced recently, bar the SLK. It has a suspension that is race-ready, and it now has a rev redline that is on the same level as the old 55 engine, when it first came out.

It seems we are complaining for missing gimmicks that do not necessarily translate to any real losses in real life. I predict this car will blow the minds of mag testers everywhere, similarly to the NIssan GTR right now, another car doubted for its weight and prowess.

 

[Merc1]

Good points.

M

 

[bum-man]

The problem the V12 always had was that it only went into a heavy chassi's more in tone with luxury refinement than all out brutality. Also the inadequate rubber touching the ground for the drive wheels did not help. I think we will see an entirely different animal and appreciate what this award winning V12 is truely capable of regardless of the slushbox it is attached too.

 

[warot]

I too hope Edmunds is wrong, but they're usually right on the money. I'm just shocked that Mercedes would give it such and old-school powertrain when the facelifted SL63 has the most exotic powertrain of any Mercedes-Benz. The Black Series IMO is supposed to be an extension of that, not the SL65. Imagine the AMG V8 with 600hp in naturally aspirated form with the new MCT gearbox and that wild body, now that would be the AMG to end all doubts about AMG's capability.

Still though I still want to see this car and I'll reserve final judgement until all important press drives it. They could have cut enough weight to make the V12 handle and it appears that ABC and all the folding roof mechanicals are gone, that should be good for some real weight savings. A totally new suspension is in play here, but that gearbox...I just don't see what else they can do with 5-speeds.

M

100% percent agree with you. I just don't really see how AMG would think this is the best solution but the magazine could be wrong, you never know. the SL63 is already a hell of a car, so I'm sure either way this thing is gonna be great

 

[Merc1]

100% percent agree with you. I just don't really see how AMG would think this is the best solution but the magazine could be wrong, you never know. the SL63 is already a hell of a car, so I'm sure either way this thing is gonna be great

I agree. Just how great will be the question I think.

M

 

[Centurion]

I too hope Edmunds is wrong, but they're usually right on the money. I'm just shocked that Mercedes would give it such and old-school powertrain when the facelifted SL63 has the most exotic powertrain of any Mercedes-Benz. The Black Series IMO is supposed to be an extension of that, not the SL65. Imagine the AMG V8 with 600hp in naturally aspirated form with the new MCT gearbox and that wild body, now that would be the AMG to end all doubts about AMG's capability.

Still though I still want to see this car and I'll reserve final judgement until all important press drives it. They could have cut enough weight to make the V12 handle and it appears that ABC and all the folding roof mechanicals are gone, that should be good for some real weight savings. A totally new suspension is in play here, but that gearbox...I just don't see what else they can do with 5-speeds.

M

A tuned version of the 6.2l V8 is reserved SLC. You can count on that one rocking an MTC box as well. MB doesn't want to waste all their new technology on very low volume car like the SL65 BS.

 

[Merc1]

^^^ I hope so.


M

 

[Centurion]

I feel you guys because I don't like the idea of a heavy V12 coupled with a slush box sitting in this car. But there is something else and even better around the corner.

 

[Bartek S.]

Mercedes SL 65 Black Series First Details Emerge
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080416.004/photo1/mercedes-sl-65-black-series-first-details-emerge
Over the past year we have seen numerous spy photos and videos of the SL 65 AMG Black Series, but besides an Autoweek story last month, nothing concrete in terms of specifications has emerged, until now. After a select group of journalists were given a sneak peek at the New York Auto Show last month with specific embargo restrictions, MotorTrend online edition is one of the first to come forth.

In an effort to put the SL 65 AMG Black Series into perspective for their American audience, MotorTrend makes a laughable analogy, which compares a road going hyper sports car to a professional race car that can barely get out of it's own way, “the SL65 AMG Black Series is roughly akin to the SL65 AMG what a Dodge Charger Nextel Cup car is to a Dodge Charger SRT-8.” Surely, taken out of context, but the comparison is somewhat out of place.
Fine wine versus wine cooler debate aside, the SL 65 AMG gets put on a weight loss program which results in 6.1 pounds per horsepower as opposed to the 7.7-pounds from the standard SL 65 AMG. No details have been provided about how Mercedes extracted a conservative 66 hp for a total of 670 hp from the 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12, although it is most likely from an engine management upgrade plus some light-weight internal engine components. Capable of 220 mph but electronically limited to 186 mph (300 km/h), 0-60 mph arrives in less than 4.0 seconds.

The weight loss continues with carbon fiber body panels such as the hood, fenders and roof. Simultaneously, the entire chassis benefits from more rigidity as a result of the fixed roof as well as the removal of additional components and high strength chassis reinforcements (88 pounds worth) that comes with the folding roof of the SL 65 AMG. Other sprinkles of carbon fiber are found in a rear diffuser and boot lid spoiler which provides approximately 77 pounds of additional downforce. In total, 570 pounds are relieved for a kerb weight of 4080 pounds.
The interior gets stripped out with no back seat, carbon fiber shell racing seats and racing steering wheel.

For the suspension, electro-hydraulic Active Body Control dampener units get tossed in the bin in favor of adjustable coilover spring/struts. Naturally, carbon-ceramic brakes will be included along with lightweight forged alloy one-piece wheels wrapped in 265/35ZR-19 (front), 325/30ZR-20 (rear) Dunlop Maxx GT tires.
With only 350 units to be sold worldwide, the SL Black Series is expected to make its public debut at the German Grand Prix in July with deliveries commencing in 2009.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080416.004/mercedes-sl-65-black-series-first-details-emerge

 

[far2000]

That is going 2 b 1 VERRRY MEAN SPORTS CAR.......350...They prob alredy sold...out.....!!!

 

[Pagani]

I would not be surprised that by the time we first see this car, the 350 or so copies will have been sold out. And I bet they will be allocated preferentially to people who already own an SLR (and possibly the SLR722 and Maybach 57S, in the same garage). Such is the demographic this car attracts--even your run of the mill 65 AMG owner may be caught off-guard as to how they feel about this vehicle.

 

[GTA45E]

Wow!!
Thay removed 570lbs from that beast, thats insane!!
If thay removed the ABC suspension that would take even more weight off.

The SLR didn`t have ABC btw, and it was just under 4000lbs.