Posted by Admin on
August 15, 2008
The problem with exotic supercars is, well, they’re just too darn rare. We really haven’t seen anything more of the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series except for its press photos. It seems like no one has actually seen the car in person outside of Mercedes-Benz, let alone photographed it. So imagine our surprise when the SL65 AMG Black was spotted Monterey this week.
The best part was, unlike the invitation only North American Ferrari Debut of the Ferrari California, Mercedes-Benz had no problem with people taking as many photographs of the car as we wanted. Enjoy the high resolution gallery below and we’ll be back later with more from Monterey!
Read the rest of this entry »
Popular Entries:
Monterey 2008,
SL 65,
Sl65 AMG Black Series,
Monterey,
Mercedes Benz,
AMG,
Mercedes,
SL,
SL65 AMG
Posted by Admin on
June 30, 2008
From the teaser image on the Mercedes AMG website, we can be pretty sure the Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series is set to be unveiled in July. But for those of us that can’t wait, a series of new spy shots have been released capturing the SL65 AMG Black at an extremely close range, giving us one of the best looks yet of the forthcoming model.
How does one put into words the demeanor of the SL65 AMG Black Series’ styling? A model injected with such an immense dose of steroids that it drips sheer, unadulterated power.
Read the rest of this entry »
Popular Entries:
SL65,
Sl65 AMG Black Series,
SL65 AMG,
SL,
Mercedes Benz,
Mercedes,
Black Series
Posted by Admin on
May 21, 2008
“BRABUS” might as well be German for, “Insane Amounts of Power.” This would explain why Brabus engineers take the already potent engines from both Mercedes-Benz, and their performance arm AMG, and boost them to even higher levels. This behavior is, of course, well-documented, and it continues unabated with the arrival of Mercedes’ newly updated SL.
Brabus has given the SL the full wheel/tire, interior, and styling packages. Along with backing up those aggressively enhanced looks with an assortment of tuning packages capable of providing more power than even Captain Kirk could ever ask for.
The Brabus Flagship is their SV12 S Biturbo engine, developed originally for the BRABUS ROCKET, the world’s fastest sedan, appears to have been created by someone with a severe hatred for tires. It serves up a ridiculous 720 horsepower and 973 lb-ft of torque! In this case, the torque is reigned in electronically to a mere 811 lb-ft., but a top speed of over 200 mph comes with the Brabus badge.
Not quite ready to sink the +$140,000(USD) for a v12 variant of the SL600? No worries, BRABUS has you covered. SL 65 AMG drivers can go for the T 65 S package, which bumps the stock V12 Biturbo to 705 hp/811 lb-ft. Or, for the v8 variants, there’s a solution for the SL 63 AMG as well that packs on an additional 40 horses over stock. This pattern continues on down the line – even to the V6-powered SL cars can be tuned to deliver 327 hp/ 310 lb-ft. Insane…Er, BRABUS…
Full press release below.
PRESS RELEASE:
Up to 730 hp (720 hp SAE net) / 537 kW of Power, 1,320 Nm (973 lb-ft) of Torque and a Top Speed of 350 km/h (219 mph):
The Exclusive BRABUS Sport Program for the New SL-Class
Rejuvenated by a substantial model update the fifth generation of the Mercedes SL now starts yet another chapter in the unparalleled success story of the popular Mercedes roadster. The corresponding exclusive sport program comes from BRABUS. Powerful increased-displacement engines with up to 730 hp (720 hp SAE net) / 537 kW of power, a striking designer suit, high-quality light-alloy wheels with diameters of up to 20 inches, professional suspension tuning and custom interior design: The BRABUS program leaves nothing to be desired.
The top-of-the-heap BRABUS power source for the SL 600 is the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo engine, developed originally for the BRABUS ROCKET, the world’s fastest sedan. 730 hp (720 hp SAE net) / 537 kW of power and a whopping peak torque of 1,320 Nm (973 lb-ft), electronically limited in the car to 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft), are the result of numerous modifications. During the displacement increase from 5.5 to 6.3 liters the engine’s interior is completely reworked. In addition the engine is fitted with a more efficient turbocharging system and a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with metal catalysts. Power is transferred via a reinforced five-speed automatic transmission and a special BRABUS limited-slip differential that is available for all SL models.
A sprint time of 4.0 seconds from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph), 10.5 seconds to 200 km/h (124 mph) and – depending on final drive ratio and tire speed rating – an electronically limited top speed of 350 km/h (219 mph) make the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo roadster one of the world’s fastest sports cars.
BRABUS tuning is also available for the SL 65: The BRABUS T 12 S performance kit increases power output by 40 hp (DIN and SAE net) / 29.4 kW. The BRABUS T 65 S power kit bumps power output to 715 hp (705 hp SAE net) / 526 kW and peak torque to 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft).
The SL 63 AMG also receives some added power with BRABUS B63 S tuning. Sport air filter, high-performance metal catalysts and newly programmed engine electronics add 40 hp (DIN and SAE net) 29.5 kW to the power output of the fast-revving V8 engine, and increase top speed to 320 km/h (200 mph).
The four-valve-V8 engine of the SL 500 (US: SL550) with BRABUS 6.1 S displacement increase produces 462 hp (456 hp SAE net) / 340 kW of power at 6,200 rpm and a peak torque of 615 Nm (453 lb-ft) at 3,100 rpm. The BRABUS 4.0 displacement engine with 332 hp (327 hp SAE net) / 244 kW of power and 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque is available for the V6 four-valve engines of the SL 280 and SL 350.
The stainless-steel BRABUS sport exhaust system with four chrome-plated tailpipes is a must for all BRABUS high-performance engines. But it is also the answer for all SL owners wishing for a sportier exhaust note and for a more striking rear appearance of their two-seater.
To add sporty emphasis to the elegant lines of the new Mercedes SL series, the BRABUS designers went into the wind tunnel to develop a strikingly styled aerodynamic-enhancement kit.
The front of the SL receives some added pizzazz with the BRABUS front apron that replaces the production bumper. It features LED daytime running lights as well as auxiliary high beams and fog lamps, and reduces lift on the front axle at high speeds.
The elegantly shaped BRABUS rocker panels each have three entrance lights integrated into their underside. The lights are activated with the keyless fob or by pulling on an inside door handle. The LED lights illuminate the ground on either side of the vehicle and help avoid unfortunate missteps into puddles or holes in the dark.
The BRABUS design package for the latest SL-class is rounded out by a rear component that integrates environmental lighting, a centrally mounted rear reflector and two cutouts for the sport exhaust system.
Just as important for a customized look are one-piece and multi-piece BRABUS Monoblock light-alloy wheels, which can be mounted on the new roadster in four different designs and with diameters of 17, 18, 19 and 20 inches. The largest possible tire/wheel combination on the new SL features BRABUS Monoblock VI, E or S wheels in size 9Jx20 in front with size 255/30 ZR 20 tires. The rear axle rolls on size 10.5Jx20 wheels with size 305/25 ZR 20 tires. BRABUS recommends high-performance tires from Pirelli and YOKOHAMA.
To further improve the already potent handling capabilities of the new Mercedes SL, BRABUS has developed special suspension solutions. For the SL 280 and 350 models with conventional suspension BRABUS offers its sport springs. For all SL models with ABC active suspension BRABUS has developed an electronic module that lowers the ride height by some 25 millimeters. Sport sway bars reduce body roll.
BRABUS high-performance brake systems for the SL-Class are available in four different versions. The largest one features vented and cross-drilled front discs measuring 375 x 36 mm (14.8 x 1.4 inches), and 12-piston fixed calipers. The rear discs measure 355 x 28 mm (14.0 x 1.1 inches) and come with six-piston fixed calipers.
BRABUS also customizes the interior of the two-seater by upping the level of luxury. The list of products includes scuff plates with illuminated BRABUS-logo, an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel with shift paddles, and an exclusive BRABUS custom interior crafted from an exquisite combination of especially soft yet durable BRABUS Mastik leather and Alcantara.
Popular Entries:
Mercedes Benz,
SV12S,
Brabus,
SL,
Aftermarket
