Sixth-gen Mercedes SL 65 AMG ready to hit markets

Mar 26, 2012
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Armed with a 6-litre, V12 Biturbo engine, the new Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG packs 638PS of power and 1,000Nm of torque. The new car is also significantly lighter than the outgoing model. Expect blisteringly quick performance with the trademark thunderous AMG V12 soundtrack

On the face of it, the sixth generation Mercedes-Benz SL may not look very different from the fifth generation model. But underneath the skin is an all aluminium bodyshell that makes the new SL 65 AMG around 170kg lighter than before.

This combined with the more powerful 6-litre V12 engine that now makes 638PS of power and a staggering 1,000Nm of torque means the new SL 65 AMG goes from 0-100km/h in just 4sec. Top speed is electronically limited to 248km/h, however, the limiter can usually be removed for an added fee by Mercedes.

The lighter kerb weight of 1,950kg for the new SL 65 AMG means it is 17 percent more fuel efficient than the previous version. On road, this translates fuel efficiency of 10.3 kmpl.

Designated M 279, the 6-litre V12 in the new Merc SL 65 AMG has been comprehensively revised over the old M 275 6-litre V12 engine. Among the modifications are improved turbochargers that have upped power by 18PS and an AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G Tronic gearbox. The 7G-Tronic gearbox has been set up with wide gear ratios to reduce engine speed and fuel consumption. The gearbox can skip gears while downshifting to facilitate quick and seamless acceleration under full throttle.

Lighter suspension components made of aluminium further reduce the vehicle’s weight and improve structural rigidity bettering handling traits of the new car. The new car features Active Body Control suspension system as seen on the V8 SL 63 AMG, only its now been tuned to deal with some V12 action. The new SL 65 AMG also gets a new electromechanical AMG sports steering created to direct all the fury from the massive V12 engine to the wheels.

The SL 65 AMG can be distinguished from its lesser brethren with more chrome bits, more louvers, larger cooling ducts and the huge ‘V12 BITURBO’ badges on either side of the car.

"The combination of exclusive V12 dynamic performance and a refined roadster driving experience was already the defining attribute of the predecessor model. We are convinced that with the new SL 65 AMG, we have developed an incomparably exciting high-performance vehicle for the small, but loyal community of fans," says Ola Kallenius, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.