Hammerzeit - 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series
Sunday July 13, 2008
The recently facelifted SL range from Mercedes-Benz has been given a new range-topper, in the form of a brutal AMG-tweaked 6.0 litre V12 biturbo sledgehammer, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series. Starting with the already powerful 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG, the twin turbochargers were given a new, wider cross-section and optimised wastegate ducts to up power, from 612 PS (450 kW) to a massive 670 PS (493 kW). Torque is limited to the same 1000 Nm as the SL 65 AMG. As if the extra power alone was not enough, Mercedes-Benz and AMG engineers have also pared the weight down from 2120 kg (4674 lb) in the SL 65 AMG to 1870 kg (4123 lb) in the SL 65 AMG Black Series.
These changes dramatically increase the performance of the vehicle, with top speed limited to 320 km/h (up from a limited 250 km/h), and the 0-100 km/h sprint being taken care of in just 3.9 seconds (SL 65 AMG: 4.2 seconds). The brakes are as found on the SL 65 AMG, with 390 mm internally ventilated discs up front, and 360 mm internally ventilated discs at the rear. There are wider tyres fitted to bigger rims - 265/35 R 19 on 9.5 inch rims at the front, and 325/30 R 20 on 11.5 inch rims at the rear. Further changes from the SL 65 AMG include the removal of the Vario roof system of the standard SL (making the Black Series a fixed roof coupé), extensive use of carbon fibre in the bodywork and a revised automatic transmission with four selectable modes. The bodywork has been given suitable adjustments too, with a deep front spoiler and massively wider wheelarches giving the SL 65 AMG Black Series a look as menacing and brutal as the performance it delivers.
These changes dramatically increase the performance of the vehicle, with top speed limited to 320 km/h (up from a limited 250 km/h), and the 0-100 km/h sprint being taken care of in just 3.9 seconds (SL 65 AMG: 4.2 seconds). The brakes are as found on the SL 65 AMG, with 390 mm internally ventilated discs up front, and 360 mm internally ventilated discs at the rear. There are wider tyres fitted to bigger rims - 265/35 R 19 on 9.5 inch rims at the front, and 325/30 R 20 on 11.5 inch rims at the rear. Further changes from the SL 65 AMG include the removal of the Vario roof system of the standard SL (making the Black Series a fixed roof coupé), extensive use of carbon fibre in the bodywork and a revised automatic transmission with four selectable modes. The bodywork has been given suitable adjustments too, with a deep front spoiler and massively wider wheelarches giving the SL 65 AMG Black Series a look as menacing and brutal as the performance it delivers.
