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Updates: Mercedes SL 65 BLACK SERIES

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Mercedes SL 65 Black Series First Details Emerge

Over the past year we have seen numerous spy photos and videos of the SL 65 AMG Black Series, but besides an Autoweek story last month, nothing concrete in terms of specifications has emerged, until now. After a select group of journalists were given a sneak peek at the New York Auto Show last month with specific embargo restrictions, MotorTrend online edition is one of the first to come forth.

In an effort to put the SL 65 AMG Black Series into perspective for their American audience, MotorTrend makes a laughable analogy, which compares a road going hyper sports car to a professional race car that can barely get out of it's own way, “the SL65 AMG Black Series is roughly akin to the SL65 AMG what a Dodge Charger Nextel Cup car is to a Dodge Charger SRT-8.” Surely, taken out of context, but the comparison is somewhat out of place.

Fine wine versus wine cooler debate aside, the SL 65 AMG gets put on a weight loss program which results in 6.1 pounds per horsepower as opposed to the 7.7-pounds from the standard SL 65 AMG. No details have been provided about how Mercedes extracted a conservative 66 hp for a total of 670 hp from the 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12, although it is most likely from an engine management upgrade plus some light-weight internal engine components. Capable of 220 mph but electronically limited to 186 mph (300 km/h), 0-60 mph arrives in less than 4.0 seconds.

The weight loss continues with carbon fiber body panels such as the hood, fenders and roof. Simultaneously, the entire chassis benefits from more rigidity as a result of the fixed roof as well as the removal of additional components and high strength chassis reinforcements (88 pounds worth) that comes with the folding roof of the SL 65 AMG. Other sprinkles of carbon fiber are found in a rear diffuser and boot lid spoiler which provides approximately 77 pounds of additional downforce. In total, 570 pounds are relieved for a kerb weight of 4080 pounds.

The interior gets stripped out with no back seat, carbon fiber shell racing seats and racing steering wheel.

For the suspension, electro-hydraulic Active Body Control dampener units get tossed in the bin in favor of adjustable coilover spring/struts. Naturally, carbon-ceramic brakes will be included along with lightweight forged alloy one-piece wheels wrapped in 265/35ZR-19 (front), 325/30ZR-20 (rear) Dunlop Maxx GT tires.

With only 350 units to be sold worldwide, the SL Black Series is expected to make its public debut at the German Grand Prix in July with deliveries commencing in 2009.

Source: MotorTrend via Autoblog.com

To be honest, I just can't wait anymore for this car...I've been dreaming with It since the very first spy pics that surfaced.I don't know If this is gonna be a great car, but It will look sick and brutal for sure.

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Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series Will Boast 670 Horsepower

SANTA MONICA, California — It won't make its official debut until this summer, but the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series is already staking its claim as one of the most extreme Mercedes-Benzes ever built.

It starts with a 6.0-liter twin turbo V12 engine. In the standard SL65 AMG it pumps out a healthy 604 horsepower, but in the Black Series the same engine gets cranked up to 670 hp. The torque peak won't increase, but given that it already sits at 738 pound-feet, there's really isn't a need for more. The five-speed automatic transmission, torque converter and all, will remain, but it will get two Sport shift programs, with the second delivering quicker gearchanges timed at just 250 milliseconds.

In addition to the added power, the engineers at Mercedes-Benz concentrated on reducing the car's weight. AMG's engineers chucked the heavy airbag suspension setup on the standard SL65 for steel coil springs, lost the Active Body Control system and made the Black's trunk, vented hood, roof, vented front fenders and bumpers out of carbon fiber.

Weight savings also turned the car into a coupe. Instead of a heavy folding hardtop, the Black Series gets a fixed roof fortified with a fully integrated roll cage. The changes reduce the car's overall weight by 570 pounds and give it a power-to-weight ratio of 1 horsepower per 6.1 pounds.

During a sneak peak of the car during the 2008 New York Auto Show, Thomas Rappel, the CEO of AMG, also told us that the folding roof was also nixed because it didn't fit between the Black's massive 325/30ZR20 rear tires. The sharp-eyed will also notice that the SL65 Black is 5-10 inches wider (AMG wouldn't tell us exactly how wide) than a drop-top SL and its roof line is now longer. "We wanted it to look more like a proper coupe," Rappel said during a tour of the car.

The brakes and steering system are identical to those found in the Performance Package offered on the recently introduced SL63 AMG. One noticeable change will be the wheel and tires package. Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT tires will be fitted, and the front tires measure "only" 265/35ZR19s. The Black will also get two suspension settings which we'd bet are stiff and stiffer.

It all adds up to a coupe that will be able to go from zero to 60 mph in less than 4.0 seconds and have a top speed of 198 mph. A retractable spoiler will help to generate 77 pounds of downforce above 60 mph, which is the speed it magically rises from the deck lid.

Interior changes are minimal. It will get the same AMG seats as the standard model (the carbon seats have no side airbags so they won't make it into U.S.-spec cars) along with a flat-bottom steering wheel, an Alcantara headliner and a navigation system. Black will be the only interior color offered, and the carbon-fiber trim on the door panels and console is appropriate. The projected price is more than $225,000 and there will be no options. Expect to see the official unveil this summer, with sales starting this fall. Only 350 units will be built.

"We strive to supply American customers with what they want," Rappel told us. "And in this case what they want is performance."

What this means to you: The Corvette ZR1 is extreme. The SL65 AMG Black Series is downright ridiculous. You want one and you know it. — Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief

Mercedes is back on the wright track
I hope it will be a great car if mercedes keeps the weight down
:-):thumbup:

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Originally Posted by worldcarfans

Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series Spied Up Close & Personal
Just ahead of debut

Mercedes released the teaser image in the AMG Owners Lounge over a week ago, and now the car junkies at Autojunk.nl have snapped some fresh images of the SL 65 AMG Black Series wearing some new revealing camouflage.

Despite being heavily taped up, it's the precision of the taping job which shows the majority of body details. The upclose and personal photos show the overall widebody contours with the resculptured front bumper fascia, DTM-esque wheel arch flares, rear bumper fascia design and new 20-inch wheels. Also, the roof/windshield pillar shows no seams for a retractable hard top denoting a fixed roof. Head over to autojunk.nl for full size images.

The SL 65 AMG Black Series will receive a boosted version of its 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12 up to 680 hp. With only 350 units to be sold the SL Black Series will reach a top speed of 220 mph but electronically limited to 186 mph (300 km/h), 0-60 mph rushe by in less than 4.0 seconds.

Source: Autojunk.nl

I gotta admit, with 680hp I was expecting better 0-62 times from the SL Black Series.. I know the 0-62 doesn't mean much overall at all, but still....
Also, as it will have a hefty price tag to boot, and the expected new model is only 1 or 2 years away, surely there will be some irate new owners when their new pride and joy is suddenly superseded?

I really appreciate the concept of weight reduction, and beefing up internals. It's the core element of what makes a sportscar. But judging AMG's other Black Series cars, I feel they sort of miss the mark in this pursuit.
Jeremy obviously thinks otherwise.:-)

I bet the 0-60 time is limited by traction. With 680 hp and God knows how much torque, I would guess trying to get that power to the ground with only two wheels is challenging to say the least. Maybe a super tall first gear would help to spread some of that torque out.

738 lb feet of torque.

The SLR doesn't put out anywhere near that much, plus this car still weighs 2 tons. (after weight reduction!) For a two door sports car that's hell of a lot.

Regardless, it'll still do 212 mph, and 0-60 in probably 3.8 or so seconds. Which overall is faster than the SLR. Handling wise is where the SLR will probably beat it. Mainly because the tires can't control all that power in the corners.

See the Brabus cars.

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