2005 Mercedes Review

Specifications

The Worlds Most Powerful Roadster

The current Mercedes-Benz SL is arguably the best luxury roadster ever built. Despite the many challengers, from Cadillacs new XLR and Lexus SC 430 to the Aston Martin Volante or Maserati Spyder, theres no convertible finer on the market with or without a folding hardtop roof.

Since its debut, the range has grown from the single-motor lineup. Alongside the 302 horsepower SL 500 is a new base model designated SL 350, which uses Benzs all-new 272 horsepower 3.5-liter V6. At the other end of the spectrum Benz offers the SL 600 with a twin-turbocharged V12 motor producing 493 horsepower and just short of 600 lb-ft of torque (590 to be exact). If harder-edged thrills are desired, Benz bridges the price gap with its SL55 AMG, a supercharged version of the SL 500. It produces the same 493 horsepower as the SL 600, but not quite as much torque at 516 lb-ft.

Thats a pretty full lineup of top-tier sports cars, of which most enthusiasts who would no doubt be quite happy just to have a base SL parked in the garage. But M-Bs AMG division couldnt have been satisfied with a regular Mercedes product besting its SL55, so the SL65 AMG was created.

The difference between the SL65 AMG and SL55 AMG is more than just 10 digits. Rather the number 10 better refers to the perfect score the judges should give AMGs new creation, as the SL65 stomps all over the supercharged V8 becoming the worlds most powerful mass production convertible.

This is basically the same 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 that was first seen in the Europe-only CL65 AMG, with frightening specs at 604 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque in U.S. trim. Incidentally, the CL65 will be joining its drop-top sibling in the U.S. this fall as well. In the engines development, AMG engineers installed large turbochargers and an air-to-water type cooling system to the hand-built engine. Needless to say, this two-seat roadster is extremely quick taking an estimated 4.2 seconds to hit 62 mph, while limited to 155 mph.

While diehard enthusiasts would enjoy a manual or a Formula 1-type sequential-manual transmission, Mercedes-Benz makes due with a conventional 5-speed automatic with manual actuation from the shift lever or steering wheel mounted buttons. The gearbox has been upgraded with new clutch pack discs, torque converter and revised shift mapping, necessary to handle the outrageous torque. Peak torque is made between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm therefore it reportedly pulls with amazing enthusiasm no matter what gear that it is in or how fast it is going.

To compensate for the driveline power other areas have been updated including drive shafts, hub carriers and wheel bearings. Every mechanical detail relating to the increased output has been altered accordingly.

Of course the SL65 isnt just for shooting forward at incredible speeds, but rather its highly capable in the corners as well. While it is said the new Merc doesnt have the raw edginess of a pure sports car like a Ferrari 360 Modena or Porsche 911, its fully independent multi-link suspension receives standard Active Body Control (ABC) and specially tuned AMG springs and dampers. Activating the Sport mode stiffens the dampers to reduce body pitch and roll. This is especially important as AMG has attempted to make the much heavier SL65, weighed down by an additional four cylinders, two turbochargers and mechanical running gear, handle curves as well as the SL55.

M-B includes dynamic handling control systems such as ABS, Brake Assist, ASR and ESP (Electronic Stability Program) to keep the car on all four wheels when pushing the limit, while traction control and a mechanical locking differential make for fuss-free starts, most necessary to keep the tires from lighting up in smoke and melted rubber. And it would be a shame to scrub away the treads of the SL65s 255/35ZR19 front and 285/30ZR19 rear performance tires, mounted on exclusive 19-inch titanium gray alloy wheels.

Framed by the 10-spoke rims (or more correctly 5-twin-spoke wheels) are composite disc brakes featuring a newly developed, high-performance 8-piston compound system up front, reportedly ideal for hauling the SL65 from interstellar speeds to standstill in short order repeatedly with little fade.

From a visual perspective, not much has changed in appearance from the common SL to this seemingly nuclear-powered roadster. As is the custom of AMG models, the SL65 AMG is fitted with new front, rear and side skirts, the former revised to feature larger intakes. Other subtle appearance differences are tinted taillamps, twin oval exhaust pipes, and of course SL65 AMG badging.

On the inside the SL65 features most optional SL luxuries as standard equipment, including multi-function massaging leather seats and M-Bs COMAND navigation/audio system.

Want one? The SL65 AMG will go on sale this fall on a build to order basis.