Autoblog

Editors' Choice: Top Five New York Auto Show Debuts

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Minivan/Van, Performance, Truck, Work, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Racing, Ram

Despite having a media center that's plagued with bad coffee and prone to the occasional journalist fight, the New York Auto Show is one of our favorite automotive expos. It's not an all-out automotive blitzkrieg like Geneva, but the vast majority of New York debuts are actual, honest-to-goodness production cars rather than spiffy concepts that only show what could be possible. And if you've paid attention to our show coverage, some mighty big nameplates had some show-stopping debuts here in the Big Apple. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

We've walked the show floor, sipped some free coffee, shook hands with plenty of executives, and after two days of New York madness, we've come up with our picks for the five best reveals here at the show. Which of the new cars took top honors? You'll have to scroll down to find out.

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Editors' Choice: Top Five New York Auto Show Debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG packs an earth-moving 738 pound-feet of torque

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:44:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Convertible, Performance, Mercedes-Benz

It takes a special type of individual to take a look at a twin-turbo V8 roadster with 530 horsepower like the new Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG and say, "Nope, that's not enough." And for just such an individual, Mercedes now presents the new SL65 AMG.

Unveiled here at the New York Auto Show alongside the facelifted GL and GLK crossovers, the new SL65 replaces its predecessor with a pair of turbos and twelve cylinders good for a monumental 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. It also gets a seven-gear Speedshift transmission that has been beefed up enough to handle all that twist in place of the five-speed that soldiered on through the last model.

All that is packed, of course, into the newer, (relatively) lighter new SL-Class, complete with Airscarf and Magic Sky Control and all that jazz. The new roadster sits at the very top of the SL range, and if the outgoing model is any indication, this droptop is likely to receive a starting price well over $200,000.

We were on hand for the new SL65's unveiled here at the Javitz Center, and you can join us for a closer look in the high-resolution image gallery above and the press release below.

Continue reading 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG packs an earth-moving 738 pound-feet of torque

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG packs an earth-moving 738 pound-feet of torque originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG revs up for Big Apple debut

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 04:00:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Convertible, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

How do you make a 4,300-pound roadster accelerate to 60 miles per hour in under four seconds? Easy, just fit it with a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 that cranks out 621 horsepower and - wait for it - 738 pound-feet of torque. Sounds bonkers, right? Welcome to the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG.

We're all very familiar with the *63 AMG models, the majority of which are now fitted with a brand new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8, but for those who want the ultimate in high-performance machinery (at an extremely high-dollar price), the *65 AMG cars are simply out of this world. We first feasted our eyes on the new-for-2013 SL63 AMG at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month, but the SL will now be taking the stage at next month's New York Auto Show to debut off its range-topping spec.

The 6.0-liter V12 is hardly a new engine, though there have been a few updates including new turbochargers, manifolds and wastegate channels. The big change for 2013, however, is the pairing of Merc's seven-speed AMG Speedshift transmission. (Historically, the 65 AMG cars were mated to a five-speed auto, since it was the only transmission in the automaker's parts bin capable of handling such massive amounts of torque.)

Like the rest of the SL line, the SL65 AMG has lost a bit of weight in its overhaul - 254 pounds versus the 2012 model - mostly thanks to an all-aluminum body-on-white. The full suite of SL goodies are on tap in the 65, including the nifty Magic Sky Roof, Airscarf, speed-sensitive steering and a new sport suspension based on Merc's Active Body Control. Inside, the cabin is trimmed in only the finest of leather - including the costly Designo options - and features goodies like a Bang & Olufsen surround sound system and the latest version of Mercedes' Command infotainment software.

Pricing has yet to be revealed for the SL65 AMG, but expect it to be around the $200,000 mark. Hit the jump for the full details in Mercedes-Benz's press blast, and stay tuned for live impressions direct from New York in just a few weeks.

Continue reading 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG revs up for Big Apple debut

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG revs up for Big Apple debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz discontinues V12 roadsters ahead of new SL debut

Noah Joseph — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

It's been a while since we've heard anything about the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. That could be because the current model dates back to 2003, undergoing the facelift we know today back in 2008. But now we've got news, and it's a mixed bag of good and bad.

The bad news first: word is, Mercedes is discontinuing the twelve-cylinder versions of the SL. The SL600 was the first to be phased out, and now it appears the SL65 AMG is getting the axe as well. There's no word yet on whether or not that includes the hardcore, fixed-roof SL65 AMG Black Series.

The good news, however, is that phasing out of the V12 roadsters could signal the imminent arrival of the next-gen SL. That's expected to show up sometime next year as a 2013 model, and will come as good news for SL buyers as the current model has lived longer than anything in the Mercedes-Benz range this side of the Geländewagen.

Mercedes-Benz discontinues V12 roadsters ahead of new SL debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: Carlsson C25 Royale makes large quantities of money magically disappear

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:41:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz, MISC

Carlsson C25 Royale - Click above for high-res image gallery

Customized Mercedes-Benz cars have been in the spotlight at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Mansory, Fab Design and Brabus have all fallen in love with the SLS AMG, but Carlsson continues its affair with the SL65 AMG. At last year's show, Carlsson unveiled its C25 super grand tourer. For 2011, Carlsson has come back with another iteration of the frighteningly fast two-door, this time called the C25 Royale.

What's the difference between last year's C25 and the 2011 C25 Royale? Both pack the same bone-crushingly powerful V12 under the hood, here producing 753 horsepower and 848 pound-feet of torque. The C25 Royale goes for a few extra steps in the weight savings department by utilizing a carbon fiber roof.

Just like last year, however, the C25 Royale will be limited to just 25 units. Also, to further increase the likelyhood that your neighbor will never have the same car as you, Carlsson says it will sell just one per country. Starting price on a Carlsson C25 Royale is €429,000, or just shy of $600,000 USD. Add in German VAT and the price rises to €510,510 (around $713,000 USD). As we said, that is the starting price. The options list is packed with further piggy bank busting features, which you see for yourself by reading the press release waiting after the jump.

Gallery: Carlsson C25 Royale: Geneva 2011

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Carlsson]

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Carlsson C25 Royale makes large quantities of money magically disappear

Geneva 2011: Carlsson C25 Royale makes large quantities of money magically disappear originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pagani, Mercedes say V12 bound for C9 isn't shared

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Mercedes-Benz

Pagani C9 spy pics - Click above for high-res image gallery

For reasons unclear, Mercedes and Pagani both felt the need to quash increasing speculation that the V12 in the coming Pagani C9 has anything to do with the V12 in the SL65 AMG Black Series. AMG is developing the motor for Pagani's next supercar, and Road & Track and Autocar had both said the Pagani engine was an evolution of a mill from Mercedes.

The twin-turbo V12 in the Black Series was rated at 670 horsepower and 730 pound-feet - itself a massaged and tuned version of the motor in the standard SL65 AMG. The joint statement to refute said, however, that "The engine of the Pagani C9 is not a derivative of the AMG V12 engine developed for the SL65 Black Series, nor is the AMG V12 engine in the SL65 Black Series derived from the engine AMG is currently developing for the Pagani C9." That about says it all, no?

Gallery: Pagani C9 high-altitude testing spy shots

[Source: AutoWeek | Images: CarPix]]

Pagani, Mercedes say V12 bound for C9 isn't shared originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More pics and details on the Brabus T65 RS Vanish

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 15 May 2010 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Brabus T65 RS Vanish - Click above for high-res image gallery

Before Brabus turned its T65 RS Vanish over to its rightful owner, it took the car to Glamor Shots for a round under the lights and here are the results. The former Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series is now a twin-turbo, 800-horsepower brute with 811 pound-feet of electronically limited peak torque - the engine's uncorked potential is 1,047 pound-feet. About the only other limit the Vanish has is top speed: it's capable of 206 miles per hour, but is limited to "only" 200.

Your own SL65 AMG Black Series probably won't go that fast right now, but Brabus has good news: everything on the Vanish can be ordered up for your car. Except that "One-off" plaque, of course. Have a look at the Brabus press release after the jump, and at the Vanish from all angles in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Press Shots: Brabus T65 RS Vanish

[Source: Brabus]

Continue reading More pics and details on the Brabus T65 RS Vanish

More pics and details on the Brabus T65 RS Vanish originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 May 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brabus Vanish: When a Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series just ain't enough

Noah Joseph — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 09:19:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Middle East

Brabus Vanish - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series doesn't leave much room for improvement. It hardly even leaves you with enough time, in fact, to say its name in full before it's already up to highway speeds from a standstill. It runs the 0-62 mph sprint in 3.8 seconds, passes 124 in 11 flat and tops out just under 200 miles per hour. Short of the SLR McLaren and the newer SLS AMG, the Black Series is the fastest roadcar Mercedes has ever made. But one customer in Dubai wasn't satisfied. So neither was Brabus.

The quintessential Benz tuner fitted the client's matte Black with bigger turbos, a new gearbox, bigger brakes and a new exhaust. The result is a 130-horsepower boost from the stock 670hp twin-turbo V12 for a total of 800. Brabus calls it the Vanish, which is probably just about right. For our part, we'll give kudos where kudos are due to the owner who went with a decidedly more understated look than the typical Dubai'd out gold-chrome Benzes we've come, however lamentably, to expect.

Gallery: Brabus Vanish

[Source: TopSpeed via eMercedes-Benz]

Brabus Vanish: When a Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series just ain't enough originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 09:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inden Design gets Mercedes-Benz SL 500 to go "deep and wide"

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Specialty

Inden Design SL -- Click above for image gallery

The Inden Design SL will turn your ordinary aging SL 500 into a previous-gen SL65 AMG lookalike and then some. The firm installs fascias front and rear and exhaust pipes that mimic the SL65, then the whole body is given the blackout treatment right down to the door handles. And could we even call it German tuning if it didn't get a set of custom 20-inch wheels tucked fender-deep on Pirelli rubber bands?

Interior bits get some varnish, the SL65 steering wheel makes an appearance, and to combat that ridiculous ride height an adjustable suspension module is installed to provide 50mm of vertical movement. The engine, however, only gets a 15-hp upgrade to 330 horsepower. So if you see any real SL65 AMGs, you'll probably want to keep looking straight ahead.

You can read about all the mods in the press release after the jump, and check it out in the gallery of photos below.

Gallery: Inden Design SL500

[Source: Inden]

Continue reading Inden Design gets Mercedes-Benz SL 500 to go "deep and wide"

Inden Design gets Mercedes-Benz SL 500 to go "deep and wide" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: South African man sets speed record for blind - in 200 mph SL Black Series!

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Etc., Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black - Click above for high-res image gallery

Looks like Luc Costermans (a.k.a. the Blind Belgian) is no longer the world's fastest sight-challenged driver. The latest person to snatch the world land speed record for the blind is South Africa's Hein Wagner. Wagner, who has been blind since birth, pushed a borrowed Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series to 322.5 km/h, just a tick over 200 mph. That puts him in the Guinness Book of World Records, ahead of Costermans, and it's not the first record for Wagner, though.

This is the same man who became the first South African to set a world land speed record, sighted or not, back in 2005 when he pushed a Maserati to 167 MPH. The deposed champion, Costermans, can take consolation in being the first blind man to break the 300 km/h barrier. Wagner himself might have to be content with being the first to break 200 mph, as previous record holder Mike Newman hopes to take an 1,800-hp Keating TKR supercar well past that figure later this month. In fact Newman is going after the overall production car speed record of 257 mph currently held by the SSC Ultimate Aero.

For now at least, the record belongs to Wagner. His record run was achieved on the runway at the Upington International Airport in Northern Cape, South Africa, with copilot Ray Wakefield of Speedrecord SA riding shotgun. Wagner has always had an adventurous streak, having previously run the New York Marathon (in 4:27!), skydived (skydove?) from 10,000 feet, completed the Construction du Cap bike race solo, competed in the Cape-to-Rio yacht race, and he has even climbed the ten highest peaks in the Western Cape. Wagner is raising money for his Vision Trust organization, which makes technology more accessible to the blind.

So what's up next for Wagner? He plans to fly a Boeing from London to Johannesburg -- with passengers. It was probably hard enough to find one passenger for the drive in the Benz, getting a full load of passengers for the flight might take a bit more persuading. But what the heck, it's for a good cause, right? Thanks for the tip, Dean!

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series

[Source: News 24]

REPORT: South African man sets speed record for blind - in 200 mph SL Black Series! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Time to change your desktop: new SL65 AMG Black Series wallpaper

Drew Phillips — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for a high resolution image

Mercedes-Benz recently launched a dedicated website for the SL65 AMG Black Series, and it's loaded with goodies for anyone who can't get enough of the uber coupe. The site has detailed info on all of the Black Series' features, as well as some new studio photos that we haven't seen before. Best of all, they've provided six new desktop wallpapers available in normal, widescreen, and iPhone sizes. We've compiled these beautiful high-res photos in a gallery and included the original shots if that's not enough.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series Wallpaper

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series

[Source: Mercedes AMG]

Time to change your desktop: new SL65 AMG Black Series wallpaper originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series details revealed, courtesy of MotorTrend

Noah Joseph — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz, AMG

The online editors of Motor Trend have decided to spill the beans, which allows us to finally confirm the information circulating the interwebs regarding AMG's latest flagship supercar, the SL65 Black Series.

AMG has cranked an extra 66 hp out of the twin-turbo six-liter V12, now boosted up to 670 hp, while stump-pullin' grunt remains the same at 738 pound-feet. Unfortunately, all that torque still needs to be converted through a conventional five-speed automatic. The power boost, however, is only part of the equation that unburdens each horse of 1.6 lbs, now pulling just 6.1 lbs-per-hp instead of the "lesser" SL65 AMG's 7.7 lbs-per-hp. That reduction is thanks in no small part (but many small parts) to an ambitious weight reduction program that does away with the folding hard-top in favor of a fixed carbon-fiber roof, itself shaving 88 of the total 570 lbs cut off the curb weight. That figure is now down to a slightly more manageable 4,080 lbs, which is still in SUV territory for a two-seat sportscar. Carbon fiber is also features on the flared front fenders, hood, rear underbody diffuser and racing buckets. That reduced weight is sprung on fully adjustable coils with an electro-hydraulic Active Body Control suspension and one-piece forged alloys wearing Dunlop Maxx GT tires in 265/35ZR-19 dimensions up front and 325/30ZR-20 out back.

A deployable rear spoiler, flat-bottomed steering wheel and Alcantara-clad interior also factor into the package, which Mercedes says would be capable of hitting 220 mph if it didn't electronically limit it to 186 (300 km/h), but 60 will come in the three-second range. The extra kit is complimented by a lower hood line enabled by the Black's exemption from pedestrian safety regs due to its small production numbers: Only 350 examples will be made in either silver, white, black or red.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series details revealed, courtesy of MotorTrend originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Mercedes-Benz unveils 2009 SL63 and SL65 AMG

Alex Nunez — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:11:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Europe, Mercedes-Benz

Click image for photo gallery

As expected, the advent of a new SL also brings with it the arrival of a new AMG variant. Gone is the supercharged, 510-horsepower SL55 AMG. In its place, we welcome the new SL63 AMG, which uses AMG's naturally-aspirated 6.2L V8 making 538 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. Like its standard-grade siblings, the new AMG SL is restyled, featuring a new-look fascia, side gills and revised rump. AMG-specific elements like a unique hood, a full aero kit, wheels that look lifted from a Porsche 911 Turbo, and all the requisite badging are also included. Inside, leather and carbon fiber adorn the cockpit, which is also outfitted with the usual assortment of electro-gadgetry, including Bluetooth connectivity that'll work with any phone so enabled.

The big news with the new SL63 is the addition of Mercedes' seven-speed twin-clutch SpeedShift MCT (Multi-Clutch Transmission) with four drive modes. Shifts with the MCT are promised to be smoother, faster and more fun overall than before. Fun's good. An optional performance package adds party favors like ceramic front brake discs, an AMG-enhanced version of the Active Body Control system, unequal-width front and rear tires, a limited-slip rear differential, a flat-bottomed steering wheel with metal shift paddles, and the AIRSCARF neck warmer system.

If the 538 horses of the SL63 aren't enough, or if you're just hell-bent on winning the numerological pissing contest in your law firm's parking garage, Mercedes also brings back the SL65 AMG, whose turbocharged V12 cranks out 604 horsepower and a BRABUS-like 738 lb-ft of torque. Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but rest assured, it'll be up there.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG & SL65 AMG

Continue reading Officially Official: Mercedes-Benz unveils 2009 SL63 and SL65 AMG

Officially Official: Mercedes-Benz unveils 2009 SL63 and SL65 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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