2006 MERCEDES BENZ SL 65 AMG (R230) 6.0L V12 5AT (612 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Mercedes-Benz refreshed the entire SL-Class lineup in 2006 and unveiled the SL65 as its contender for the fastest rocket-launcher on wheels roadster in the world.

Sometimes the question about how much power is too much power arises among the petrolheads. The SL65 AMG had the answer for that and proved that 612 hp was too much. Worth mentioning that the carmaker had to limit the engine torque to 1000 Nm (738 lb-ft) because the gearbox couldn’t handle more. As for the tires, they couldn’t keep up with that monstrous, twin-turbocharged V-12 engine which was, by the way, too heavy for the roadster.

The 2006 AMG version featured a unique design for the front bumper, with a wide, A-shaped grille on the apron. From its sides, the roadster showed its 19″ light-alloy wheels with a five double-spoke design. In the rear, a quad-exhaust with oval-shaped pipes poked through the rear diffuser under the bumper. Like the rest of the SL range, the 65 AMG sported the refreshed taillights with wider, smoked, reversing lights.

Inside, the owner had to see why it paid more than twice the money for an SL320. The carmaker installed a luxurious yet sporty interior with high-bolstered seats and white dials inside the instrument cluster. Strangely, the steering wheel looked too bland for the car’s price tag. Two white bumps on the upper spokes showed the driver where to press to change the gears. A set of carbon-fiber trims adorned the center stack and the center console.

While it was slightly quicker than the SL600, the SL65 AMG featured larger brakes with six-piston calipers at the front and four in the back. The five-speed automatic gearbox could barely handle the massive torque, while the 285/30 R19 rear tires were just too narrow.