Skip advert
Advertisement

A-Z Supercars: Mercedes SL65 AMG Black

With even more power than the McLaren SLR, the Mercedes SL65 AMG Black was AMG showing its wicked side

The SL65 Black has the presence of a flame-thrower in a ticker-tape factory. It doesn’t even look much like the car it’s based on. Apart from the grille, lights and doors, the SL bits have been completely subsumed by the mostly carbon Black Series bits, which add girth, attitude, price and exclusivity in unprecedented quantities but, via some clever re-engineering and ditching the folding Vario roof for a fixed one, cleave a handy 250 kilos from the kerb weight, too.

Advertisement - Article continues below

You’d imagine that the benefit of this – along with a hand-built 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 generating 661bhp at 5400rpm and a capped torque output of 737lb ft between 2200 and 4200rpm (otherwise it would be a transmission-trashing 900lb ft plus) plus a completely re-worked chassis – would be hard to overestimate.

But despite its visual potency and turbo-massaged firepower, the SL65 Black lacks the true drama of a full-on mid-engined supercar. It has a curiously calm aura, an implied ‘don’t make me angry, you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry’ threat, but securely locked away until needed. The cabin is much like any other SL’s. The aluminium paddles provoke a twinge of extra excitement, but then you remember they’re hooked up to Merc’s old five-speed auto – albeit with uprated hydraulics for faster shift speeds – rather than the properly sophisticated seven-speed semi-auto from the much cheaper SL63 AMG.

Then there’s the sonic contribution of the engine, which seems to have no mechanical ‘edge’ at all, merely numerous, minutely varied layers of ‘whoomph’. It’s subdued from the inside, too, and fails to make the electrical connection with the small hairs on the back of your neck. For all its jaw-dropping pace and sensational on-road presence, the SL65 Black is neither a hardcore track tool nor a truly inspiring supercar.

Specifications

Years made 2009-2010 Engine V12, 5980cc, twin turbochargers Max power 661bhp @ 5400rpmTorque 737lb ft @ 2200-4200rpm 0-60mph 3.8sec Max speed 199mph (limited)Price £250,000 new, c£200,000 today

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (2010 - 2015): Germany's answer to the Ferrari 599
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Reviews

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (2010 - 2015): Germany's answer to the Ferrari 599

The Mercedes-Benz SLS is a fully bespoke supercar that’s a slice of purest AMG
21 Nov 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses
Ford Focus ST Mk3
Features

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses

We’d hoped the 2015 Focus ST would share a good dose of its little brother’s magic. Sadly, it didn’t
28 Apr 2025
The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever
Ferrari 296 Speciale – front
News

The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever

The 296 Speciale is the latest in Ferrari's line of mid-engined road racers, packing 868bhp and LaFerrari-beating pace on track
29 Apr 2025
Manthey Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RS 2025 review – the ultimate Nürburgring toy
Porsche 911 GT3 RS Manthey front
Reviews

Manthey Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RS 2025 review – the ultimate Nürburgring toy

Did the 992 GT3 RS need to be made more extreme? Posssibly not. We're glad Manthey Racing has done it, though.
28 Apr 2025