The brakes are sensational, stopping hard and never fading. Body motions are well-controlled, but the Black Series feels more at home on the track than on the road. It rides hard, too hard if you're cruising over anything but billiard-table blacktop. Of course, the suspension has a lot of mass to keep in control: Even though all that carbon fiber drops the weight by 210 pounds over a standard SL65, the Black Series still tops 4100 pounds.
Will anyone who can afford the SL65 Black Series care? Not likely. This is a statement car, an "I've-got-more-power-than-you" megabruiser that simply screams, "just try me." It wears its speed on its carbon-fiber sleeve, daring other sports cars to trespass, gloating over mortal automobiles in the valet lane, elevating its driver to the status of Hercules. Anyone still in its vicinity need only hear the estimated base price -- roughly $300,000 -- before fleeing in terror from the overwhelming audacity of this monumental machine.
Just 350 persons worldwide will be able to purchase an SL65 AMG Black Series. Half of the cars are coming to the U.S. And, yes, much of the limited production is already sold.
Stay tuned to this channel: Coming soon, full road-test numbers. You may even feel the ground rumble.
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series |
| Base price | $300,000 (est) |
| Vehicle layout | Front engine, RWD, 2-pass, 2-door coupe |
| Engines | 6.0L/661-hp/738-lb-ft twin-turbo SOHC 36-valve V-12 |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
| Curb weight | 4100 lb (mfr) |
| Wheelbase | 100.8 in |
| Length x width x height | 180.7 x 77.2 x 51.6 in |
| 0-60 mph | 3.6 sec (mfr) |
| EPA city/hwy | 12/19 mpg (MT est) |
| CO2 emissions | 1.35 lb/mile |
| On sale | January 2009 |