Mercedes will reveal the 2013 SL65 AMG at the New York Auto Show next month.
When even Bentley is talking plug-in hybrid for its planned SUV you have to assume the era of big, powerful luxury cars has come to an end.
Well, not really, as we’ve also seen some new extremes from the likes of Ferrari and BMW, with the F12 Berlinetta and next M6, respectively, reaching record levels of power and performance. And now, Mercedes-Benz is weighing in with some selectively leaked details about the next-generation SL65 AMG — which debuts at the New York Auto Show next month.
We’ve already gotten a peak at the SL63 AMG – yes, there are two different AMG-badged versions of the all-new Mercedes roadster. But the SL65 has always been the pinnacle for those who just can’t find enough places to spend their money. And Mercedes has to give them something to justify the price, which should be pushing well up towards the $200,000 mark when the new model reaches showrooms later this year.
For that cash you’ll get a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 making a seriously impressive 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. The engine is actually a tuned-up holdover — though such updates as turbochargers with an enlarged spiral cross-section, new manifolds and optimized wastegate channels helped deliver an additional 17 hp.
So, equally significant is the switch to a new 7-speed AMG Speedshift gearbox. Until now, SL65 buyers had to suffer through a dated 5-speed, the only transmission that could handle the V12’s stump-pulling torque.
There won't be many options available for the fully-loaded Mercedes SL65 AMG.
As impressive as all that power might be, keep in mind that with the new SL Mercedes put a premium on returning to the roadster’s roots. The name, you might recall, was originally meant to signify “short” and “light,” and with its new aluminum-intensive body and platform the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 weighs in at 4,290 pounds, about 254 less than the model it replaces.
That alone should translate into a significant additional bump in performance. To improve handling, Mercedes says it has updated the AMG Active Body Control system. And the electronically adaptable suspension features two settings: Comfort and Sport, the latter increasing cornering agility. The electronic stability system, meanwhile, offers three settings, including the track-tuned Sport Handling mode.
The Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG will come pre-packaged with virtually every option the German maker can come up with including Magic Sky Control, a retractable hardtop that can be switched from opaque to transparent with the touch of a button. There’s also the newest COMAND infotainment system and a Bang & Olufson surround audio package.
We’ll get our first close-up look at the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG at the New York Auto Show in just a few weeks,