2004 MERCEDES BENZ SL 65 AMG (R230) 6.0L V12 5AT (612 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The SL65 AMG broke the power barrier of the SL55 AMG, which was the most powerful production car in the world when it was introduced in 2002, and it had the torque limited.

The SL roadster was a huge success for Mercedes-Benz. It was a mix of beautiful styling, a wide range of engines, and a flagship that rocked the supercar world. It also had the glorious name of the legendary SL model that helped its sales. The fast, sleek, roadster received the big, twin-turbo V12 engine from AMG in 2004.

From the outside, there were few clues to let others know that it was the top version of the SL. A front apron with a wide center grille and angled spokes resembled the form of an F1 car. On the bumper’s sides, a pair of air-exhausts were placed to help to cool the radiators. Behind the front wheels, another pair of air-scoops were installed to extract the air from the wheel-well. In the back, the rear bumper featured a diffuser in its lower side, with the four oval exhausts.

The early versions featured some luxury features such as leather seats and an infotainment unit with navigation. Over its life-cycle, the car was transformed slowly and received better amenities, such as a bigger screen, heated and ventilated seats, and radar-based cruise control. To cover and uncover the car it took just 16 seconds.

The 6.0-liter V12 engine was helped by a pair of turbochargers to develop 612 hp and a massive torque of 1000 Nm (738 lb-ft). Since the 5-speed automatic gearbox could not handle more than 1000 Nm, the engine was limited to that value. Otherwise, it was able to develop up to 1200 Nm (885 lb-ft).