Thursday 5th April 2012

New York show: Mercedes SL65

Got insecurities about a mere twin-turbo V8 in your AMG SL? 630hp V12 SL65 is the answer...

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Thought it was the Chinese market that was keeping oversize SUVs and big engines alive in these austere times? Not quite. As far as Mercedes is concerned, its biggest and badass-est cars still remain most popular in the United States.

GLK revised but still not for the UK - shame

Which explains why it chose the 2012 New York International Auto Show as the place to unveil the new-generation GL and the V12 bi-turbo SL65 AMG.

The significance of this was not lost on the assembled audience of hacks and hangers-on here, who turned out in considerable numbers to see the above debuts, and welcome a heavily revised GLK (we'll ignore that little fella since we still won't be getting it in the UK).

We'll pass quickly over the GL as well - even if it does now feature a 408hp V8 in GL500 guise, and a substantially more powerful 258hp GL350 turbodiesel. The original was actually the first non-American 'full-size' SUV to be sold in the US, and America continues to prove its most lucrative market.

Moves like Jagger, as dull as Wyman

It was heralded on to the show stage by a marching band playing "Moves Like Jagger". Curious choice, but then the GL always was a surprisingly accomplished all-rounder - and the introduction of new tech means this one will probably prove even more so. Not entirely sure we approve of active steering systems like Crosswind Assist, but better on something like this than a driver oriented performance car, eh Audi?

This brings us to the SL65. This car basically exists because of the US market, where the V12 remains an important status symbol in some quarters, thank goodness. With the two turbos it has no less than 630hp and 738lb ft of torque - enough to make the SLS elsewhere on the stand stop and think for a moment.

No replacement for ... you know the rest

The Chinese, incidentally, don't buy convertibles - because of the smog, apparently. But they do like themselves a S65 limo or several.

We were lucky enough to grab dinner with AMG product boss Thomas Rappel the night before the show, and took the opportunity to discuss the plight of big engines in an eco-conscious world.

The look on his face at the mention of the word "hybrid" is enough to reassure you that the Mercedes tuning division is safe from harm for the time being. Instead the firm is concentrating on lightweight technology - hence the structural carbon fibre pieces in the latest AMG SLs - and optimising the combustion engine.

New SL looks better after AMG tickle

Cylinder deactivation and its ilk we can live with. Especially when Mr Rappel also confirms that the characteristic AMG sound is one of THE major decision makers amongst AMG buyers. He's determined to keep it real, too - unlike some other German tuning arms we could mention - though what to do about the SLS E-Cell is causing a bit of head scratching at Affalterbach right now.

This got us on to how the one man, one engine philosophy might work with electric motors - hand winding, anybody?

[Skater12]

Looks way too much like it's little siter the SLK.

I had a new SL try to undertake me a few weeks ago on a road leading out of Brighton. The driver then tried to undertake the Fiat Punto infront and ended up slamming into the side of it to avoid a skip that was in the road.
The passenger of the Punto was out of the car before it'd even stopped, and piled inside the SL.
Classic case of someone driving a car that they had no idea of how to handle, or what it's limitations were, and it was probably a company car as well, haha.
Sorry, just thought i'd share a funny story.

[nav p]

That AMG kit makes the SL look absolutley fantastic

[FWDRacer]

Sorry, but Rappel is a dinosaur. A few token Carbon bits saving a few grammes

They need to put that fat "sau" on a major diet. Starting with the engine. If it didn't have the mass properties of small moon it wouldn't need turbocharging.

Edited by FWDRacer on Thursday 5th April 12:12

[MrTappets]

For some reason I'm still not too fussed about the SL. Don't think the problem with it is a lack of power. And is it just me or does that GLK thing look remarkably like a Mitsubishi Shogun?

[MrKipling43]

LOVE the wheels on the SL. And the motor.

[Arun_D]

Not a great looker compared to past AMG SLs imho (thinking the old SL55 from a few years back in particular)

[Andy ap]

I thought the new SL looked butt ugly when the they launched it......this one looks even worse. If it crashed into the back of a lorry carrying scrap metal it would probably look better! The grill the lights and the bonnet have no continuity and they're all out of proportion.

[soad]

Now what's a proper engine.

[E38Ross]

FWDRacer said:

Sorry, but Rappel is a dinosaur. A few token Carbon bits saving a few grammes

They need to put that fat "sau" on a major diet. Starting with the engine. If it didn't have the mass properties of small moon it wouldn't need turbocharging.

Edited by FWDRacer on Thursday 5th April 12:12

you do realise what the SL is, right? a big GT car.

[BrewsterBear]

FWDRacer said:

Sorry, but Rappel is a dinosaur. A few token Carbon bits saving a few grammes

They need to put that fat "sau" on a major diet. Starting with the engine. If it didn't have the mass properties of small moon it wouldn't need turbocharging.

Edited by FWDRacer on Thursday 5th April 12:12

Your username tells me all I need to know about your opinion on this GT car. To me it looks sublime in the photos and the specification. So much want.

[FWDRacer]

BrewsterBear said:

Your username tells me all I need to know about your opinion on this GT car. To me it looks sublime in the photos and the specification. So much want.

Does the car I race invalidate my observations on the girth of this vehicle? Slow hand clap.... for the...... moron.

It weighs too much and the blunderbus tech powering it is outdated - even at vehicle launch. All other manufacturer's are downszing - even in S-class sports and GT's.

PS. I have a RWD as a daily driver. Go comb your chest wig and polish your medallion Huggy bear

[nickwilcock]

Nice engine in an astonishingly ugly car.

I presume they chose the launch location because of the American attitude towards aesthetics?

[FWDRacer]

E38Ross said:

you do realise what the SL is, right? a big GT car.

Are you aware that SL stands for Sportlich Leicht - German for sports lightweight

[Johnboy Mac]

Don't really care what the SL looks like, a V12 twin turbo makes up for any shortcomings in the aesthetics department.

[M@1975]

I bet it soubnds epic... for the 10 mins you drive it before it runs out of fuel.

[Alfa159Ti]

FWDRacer said:

Does the car I race invalidate my observations on the girth of this vehicle? Slow hand clap.... for the...... moron.

It weighs too much and the blunderbus tech powering it is outdated - even at vehicle launch. All other manufacturer's are downszing - even in S-class sports and GT's.

PS. I have a RWD as a daily driver. Go comb your chest wig and polish your medallion Huggy bear

Boom - quality riposte my friend.

[BrewsterBear]

FWDRacer said:

Does the car I race invalidate my observations on the girth of this vehicle? Slow hand clap.... for the...... moron.

It weighs too much and the blunderbus tech powering it is outdated - even at vehicle launch. All other manufacturer's are downszing - even in S-class sports and GT's.

PS. I have a RWD as a daily driver. Go comb your chest wig and polish your medallion Huggy bear

Your moronic opinion is entirely invalid. It'd be like judging a Maybach for being too big. I'll say it slowly so you can understand - The.... point... of... the... car... is... to... be... a... grand... tourer... If you want a lightweight, small capacity, nimble sportscar you don't go to the SL. You're judging against incorrect standards.

Let's hope the Easter holidays finish soon.

[dazren]

SL65s are pretty special cars. All generations.

First time I saw one was an 04 car at VMAX where it was hitting higher speeds than 911 turbos and Lambo Murcielagos.

[E38Ross]

FWDRacer said:

E38Ross said:

you do realise what the SL is, right? a big GT car.

Are you aware that SL stands for Sportlich Leicht - German for sports lightweight

touche, touche

it's a big GT car before a lightweight sports car, even merc would say that i'm sure. lightweight and sporty it's not particularly that IMO!!! and never has been really.

[kambites]

The first two generations were sports cars... it hasn't been since though.

I don't think this is especially heavy for the class of car, though?