2010 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG - The Black Beast

Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series is the must respected fine car to its owners. Where can we start, a limited-edition (350 cars worldwide), megabucks ($299,000) supercar and feels almost nothing like the SL on which it is based. Go ahead try to turn on the key!

To start this is a DTM-racing inspired, flared carbon-fiber bodywork. Like the fixed, Black Series-unique nonconvertible roof, nearly every body panel is new. Only the doors-aluminum outer skin, magnesium inner-carry over from the standard SL65. The rear fenders and bumper are steel, but everything else is carbon. Along with some other measures, this brings curb weight down to about 4,300 pounds, almost 500 pounds lighter than an SL65.

Under the hood 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12. The engine is the most powerful in Mercedes or AMG production history (including the SLR McLaren), with larger turbos, a more efficient intercooler and an upgraded exhaust helping to belt out 661 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, the latter available 100 percent between 2,200 rpm and 4,200 rpm and electronically limited from a potential real peak of more than 880 lb-ft to preserve the drivetrain.

The Laguna Seca hot laps experience in this car impresses as much as it surprises. Jump on the throttle and, after perhaps a split second as the turbos spool. The rear ended by a mack truck force is ridikulus, and it provides no reason to doubt the well claims of 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, 0 to 124 mph (200 kph) in 11 seconds flat. Too bad top speed is e-limited to 199 mph. The exhaust note is mostly drowned out by a relatively high-decibel track of tire and road noise suddenly bellows a flat, wild, baritone whoooosh. This Black Series remains a heavyweight GT prizefighter that is easy to overestimate early throttle applications to produce grinding understeer. The sum up, carry speed well and smoothly into a corner, hit the pedal hard on exit then need to take the counterbalance by power-on oversteer that is predictably, especially with ESP switched off, but it is remarkably controllable. The Monstrous power and torque is right there at the finger tip, driving the SL65 Black Series on the track demands strong weight-management skills.

This is not for the amateur or the light-hearted, but when done right, the feeling is priceless. Too bad there is only five-speed automatic gearbox’s available, I guess Daimler is still working on the 8 speed transmission on the monstrous horsepower. The punchline, only 175 copies will come to the United States, with deliveries beginning in January. Deposits are taken now. But what about recession, I guess that does not apply to this market segment.

Source: Auto Blog