With its flatter roof, broader front fenders (nearly six inches wider), large air intakes in the front apron and hood, a rear apron with air diffuser fins and retractable rear spoiler, the new SL65 AMG Black Series looks dramatically bolder from all angles.
Weight-optimized AMG forged alloy wheels feature an unusual staggered diameter and width: 9.5 x 19 inches up front and 11.5 x 20 in the rear, with 265 / 35 19 tires in front and 325 / 30 20 tires at the rear. Vented and perforated composite ceramic brake discs are clearly visible through the filigree of the AMG double-spoke wheels – front discs are more than 15 inches in diameter, with six-piston fixed calipers to slow them down, and the rear are 14 inches, with four-piston fixed calipers.
An all-black interior exudes the no-nonsense functionality of a race car. Carbon-fiber bucket seats upholstered in Nappa leather with AMG embossed in the head restraints provide impressive lateral support in fast turns, and a smaller (by 15 millimeters) AMG Performance steering wheel is fitted with aluminum shift paddles for manual shifting. A white tachometer with four integral LEDs alerts the driver about optimal shift points, and a contrasting black speedometer reads to 225 mph.
Of course, what’s most impressive is the performance of the car. The already formidable 6.0-liter AMG V12 engine has been modified to produce more than 650 horsepower and a staggering 738 pound-feet of torque. Its twin turbochargers are 12 percent larger, passages for intake air and the turbo wastegates have been modified, and the intake air intercooler is 30 percent more efficient. The result is zero-to-60 mph acceleration of only 3.8 seconds, and an electronically limited top speed of 198 mph.
Integrated within the trunk lid, a rear spoiler automatically raises nearly five inches whenever the car reaches about 74 mph, creating downforce on the tail of the car at high speeds. From the rear, the most eye-catching feature is its new carbon-fiber apron with air diffuser ribs. Hidden within it is an active cooling system for the final drive and 40-percent locking differential.
The SL656 AMG Black series uses a beefed-up five-speed automatic transmission with AMG’s SpeedShift Plus shift control that provides four shift modes: “C,” “S,” “M1” and “M2,” which has 25 percent quicker shift times than “M1.” The torque converter’s lockup clutch assures direct shifting in all shifting scenarios, right from first gear, while an AMG automatic “throttle-blipping” feature makes downshifting smooth yet exciting, even in power-on turns.
All in all, if you’re looking for a classy motor that has the power to match, then look no further. The Black can be refined and smooth but has the power to smash most track records when you’re looking to burn serious rubber!