Affalterbach, GERMANY – Body tingling performance wrapped in exquisite styling all backed by cutting-edge engineering describes the new Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG and its more powerful companion, the 12-cylinder SL 65 AMG that will be making their way to buyers starting in April while the SL 63 will hit the US in the Spring.
The SL 63 roadster is powered by an AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine developing 386 kW/525 hp and 630 Newton meters – which makes it today’s most powerful model with a V8 naturally aspirated engine in this class. The brawnier SL 65 AMG, to be launched alongside the SL 63 AMG, will arrive with a 450 kW/612 hp AMG 6.0-litre bi-turbo engine developing 1000 Newton meters of torque. If these two beautiful powerhouses don’t set your heart racing – call EMS now and tell them to have the paddles ready.
The SL 63 AMG comes exclusively with the all-new, innovative AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission. The newly developed power transfer concept features a compact, wet start-up clutch that replaces the conventional torque converter. The resulting direct connection to the powertrain, together with the double-declutching and Race Start functions, guarantees an extremely emotional, supremely dynamic driving experience. The SL 63 AMG sets new standards in the open-top sports car segment thanks to this outstanding drive combination and the retuned, even more agile AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control – turning it into the sportiest SL-Class ever.
The new SL 65 AMG with its top-of-the-line V12 should deliver effortless superior refinement in its purest form. Both Mercedes-AMG SL-Class Roadsters promise a bevy of extraordinary thrills and breathtaking dynamism thanks to loads of AMG equipment features. If the sun is calling -- the vario-roof, will opens in 16 seconds (also available in an optional glass version) will help impatient road revelers enjoy a traditional roadster driving experience with no waiting.
Like all 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL roadsters these two hardy road machines will offer AIRSCARF, an Mercedes developed feature that’s designed to extend the open-air driving season into the cooler months. In essence, it’s an extra heating system built into the driver and passenger seats. At the touch of a button, warm air flows from vents in the head restraints, acting somewhat like an invisible scarf around the head and neck -- thus the name.
Testing revealed that warming just a relatively small area around the neck dramatically improves comfort in cooler weather. The AIRSCARF neck-level heating system blows warm air from the head restraints of the driver and passenger seats, allowing occupants to cruise comfortably with the retractable hardtop open in colder weather. a matter of seconds when electrical current is applied.
Now that you’re snug you’ll want to try out the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission. This all-new feature strives to combine the best of two worlds: the sporty, direct and agile feedback of a manual transmission and the maximum convenience of an automatic transmission.
Fitted with seven speeds, four drive modes, a double-declutching and Race Start function, the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7 speed sports transmission offers loads of versatility. MCT stands for MultiClutch Technology and only employs clutch elements to perform gearshifts.
The high-tech transmission is designed for high torque and maximum revs up to 7200 rpm. There is a high-performance oil cooling system which helps to guarantee that there are sufficient reserves, even under the highest loads. An all-new, sophisticated electronic transmission control unit controls and monitors all processes. A new two-stage torsion damper is there to handle vibrations.
At the heart of the new AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission is a wet start-up clutch, which runs in an oil bath and replaces the previous torque converter. Thanks to a low rotational inertia, the transmission responds faster and dynamically without slip.
Accelerator pedal movements trigger an instant traction response. Fitted with four drive modes: “C” (Comfort), “S” (Sport), “S+” (Sport plus) and “M” (Manual), the transmission provides gearshifting with no loss of traction force and supports customized control setups for maximum driving pleasure. In “C” mode the gearshifts are comfortable, coupled with a “soft” accelerator response set-up for outstandingly smooth power transfer. In “S” mode the engine and transmission interact with more "bite": the engine speed is allowed to reach a higher level in each gear; the downshifts also feel more spontaneous. The gearshifts are around 20 percent faster than in “C” mode. Switching to “S+” mode cuts another 20 percent off shift times, while “M” is the sportiest mode: here the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine has even more bite, added to which the transmission shifts gear another 10 percent faster – a reduction of 50 percent compared with “C” mode. In “M” mode the gearshifts take just 100 milliseconds.
Ultra-fast, spontaneous multiple downshifts are another forte of the new MCT sports transmission. For instance, kickdown lets you move straight from seventh down to fourth gear or from fifth to second. In the “S” (Sport), “S+” (Sport plus) and “M” (Manual) modes the automatic double-declutching function is active.
Every manual or automatic downshift is accompanied by precisely metered double-declutching – from “S” through “S+” to “M” incrementally. This not only adds to the driver's emotional experience: the virtually load-free downshift minimizes load-change reactions, which offers dividends when braking into a bend on the racetrack or careening into your driveway.
The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine teams up with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission to form a perfect partnership for dynamic driving pleasure and outstanding performance. The SL 63 AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds before quickly going on to a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). The high-revving naturally aspirated engine generates 386 kW/525 hp at 6800 rpm from a displacement of 6208 cubic centimeters, delivering maximum torque of 630 Newton meters at 5200 rpm.
The unique combination of high-revving concept and large displacement achieves the best of both worlds: high pulling power at low engine speeds coupled with exhilarating high-revving flexibility – right up to 7200 rpm.
The AMG V8 is packed with a wealth of fascinating racetrack technology, including the lightweight, extra-rigid closed-deck crankcase and cylinder walls with a revolutionary TWAS coating as well as the valve train designed for high engine speeds with bucket tappets in the cylinder heads. The vertical arrangement of the intake and exhaust ports together with the variable intake manifold featuring two integral throttle flaps results in superlative cylinder charging and high power output.
The sophisticated electronically controlled fuel supply provides a consummately spontaneous response to accelerator movements in all driving situation.
The AMG sports exhaust with two oval, chromed twin tailpipes guarantees the characteristic AMG V8 vocals. The tri-metallic coating used in the catalytic converters results in a faster response from a cold start, more efficient emission control as well as superior long-term durability.
The SL 63 AMG fulfils all standard exhaust emissions limits such as EU 4 and the specific requirements of the U.S. market (LEV-II, On-Board Diagnosis II and oxygen sensor diagnosis).
The dynamic drive unit finds its perfect match in the SL 63 AMG suspension. The AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control has been further enhanced and not only comes with new spring and damper tuning but also something called elastokinematics – which has been completely modified.
Also new is the 3-stage ESP with sports function. This system provides three different settings and is the logical development of the AMG ESP philosophy. The driver can choose between the settings “ESP ON”, “ESP SPORT” and “ESP OFF” by pressing the ESP button in the AMG DRIVE UNIT – the activated setting is shown in the central display in the AMG instrument cluster.
The AMG high-performance braking system rises to the exacting requirements associated with consummate driving dynamics. The front wheels are equipped with internally ventilated, perforated 360 x 36-millimetre composite disc brakes with six-piston aluminum fixed calipers, while deceleration at the rear comes courtesy of internally ventilated, perforated 330 x 26-millimetre brake discs with four-piston fixed calipers. The result is the shortest stopping distances, outstanding sensitivity and remarkable resistance to fading.
The 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with their alluring triple-spoke styling and titanium grey finish plus high-sheen star on the centre of the wheel are also new. 255/35 R 19 (front) and 285/30 R 19 (rear) tires are fitted to the 8.5 and 9.5-inch-wide wheels. The 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with their striking design blend in with the new AMG bodystyling.
The appearance of the SL 63 AMG now gives away its exceptional status more than ever before. The new-look front apron with a more pronounced wedge shape, black-painted radiator grille, larger cooling air intakes and lower transverse fin painted in black harmonizes perfectly with the redesigned front end of the SLClass, giving it a decidedly masculine aura.
The distinctive AMG bonnet more than hints at the unique power unit underneath. Bi-xenon headlamps with their dark surrounds, and large round fog lamps set well to the side in chrome surrounds also emphasize the vehicle's width. The hot air from the additional engine oil cooler in the front wheel arch escapes through side air outlets in the front apron. New exterior mirrors featuring LED indicators with a pronounced arrow shape catch the eye as do the matt-silver-painted AMG trim panels on the front wings with “6.3 AMG” lettering.
The AMG bodystyling also includes the AMG side skirts and the powerful AMG rear apron with its large black diffusion insert. A visual and acoustic feast comes in the guise of the AMG sports exhaust with two chromed twin tailpipes. The AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid reduces lift especially at high speeds.
Interior featuring new AMG sports steering wheel with three-spoke design
The interior of the new SL 63 AMG offers an alluring combination of exclusive equipment details and a dynamic, practical look. The eye is drawn to the new AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel with its three-spoke design and aluminum AMG shift paddles.
The grip area is specially shaped and covered in perforated leather, while the vertical spoke is embellished by a silver-colored insert. Behind sits the new AMG instrument cluster with “6.3 V8” lettering on the rev counter and the new-look instrument cluster trimmed in Nappa leather with double topstitching above the round gauges.
As soon as the ignition is switched on, the speedometer and rev counter needles rotate in unison around the dials to their maximum values and then instantly revert to their original positions.
Top of the line in the exclusive 12-cylinder roadster segment is the SL 65 AMG. Its AMG 6.0-litre V12 bi-turbo engine produces 450 kW/612 hp with maximum torque of 1000 Newton meters – unrivalled figures even four years after the market launch.
The SL 65 AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds, impressive testimony to the outstanding power of the AMG V12 engine; top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited).
Power in the SL 65 AMG is transferred by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT five-speed automatic transmission with three drive modes; a multi-disc limited-slip differential with a lock factor of up to 30 percent also guarantees optimum traction.
Visual features which distinguish the V12 top-of-the-line model from the SL 63 AMG include a lower transverse fin painted matt silver in the front apron, “V12 BITURBO” lettering on the matt-silver-painted trim panels on the front wings and the AMG sports exhaust with two chromed twin tailpipes featuring the V12 styling. The new AMG bodystyling including AMG bonnet and AMG spoiler lip is also part of the standard specification for the V12 top-of-the-line model. 255/35 R 19 (front) and 285/30 R 19 (rear) tires are fitted to the new 19-inch AMG twin-spoke forged light-alloy wheels painted titanium grey with a mirror finish.
In tune with its incomparable driving dynamics the SL 65 AMG comes with a large AMG high-performance braking system using ultra-high-performance composite brakes at the front and rear. The front wheels are equipped with 390 x 36millimetre brake discs while 360 x 26-millimetre discs provide the deceleration at the rear.
Nappa leather upholstery in the new AMG V12 diamond-pattern design
The exclusive Nappa leather upholstery on the AMG sports seats and door centre panels with its new AMG V12 diamond-pattern design catches the eye in the interior of the SL 65 AMG. “V12 BITURBO” lettering on the rev counter adorns the new AMG instrument cluster. As with the SL 63 AMG, the new AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel with its three-spoke design and aluminum AMG shift paddles is also included.
Both the SL 63 AMG and the SL 65 AMG can be further enhanced with exclusive optional extras from the AMG Performance STUDIO.
These include:
AMG exterior carbon-fibre package with side air outlets in front apron, exterior mirror housing, spoiler lip and genuine carbon-fiber diffusor insert in rear apron
AMG performance steering wheel, flattened underside and smaller diameter
AMG door-sill panels, illuminated in white light
19-inch AMG twin-spoke forged light-alloy wheels with mixed-size tires, 255/35 R 19 and 285/30 R 19 (only for SL 63 AMG)
The Performance Package developed in the AMG Performance STUDIO is also available for the SL 63 AMG; it includes even more powerful components and is ideally suited for drivers with sporty inclinations:
Internally ventilated composite brake discs, size 390 x 36 mm, on the front axle
Multiple-disc limited-slip rear differential with a locking factor of 40 percent for enhanced traction
19-inch AMG twin-spoke forged light-alloy wheels with mixed-size tyres, 255/35 R 19 and 285/30 R 19
AMG performance suspension based on Active Body Control
AMG performance steering wheel with smaller diameter, flattened underside, silver-colored aluminum shift paddles
Interested customers can now order the SL 63 AMG and SL 65 AMG; the new AMG Roadsters will be launched in April 2008. European sales prices are:
SL 63 AMG: €145,239.50 (incl. 19% VAT)
SL 65 AMG: €221,518.50 (incl. 19% VAT)
Performance Package SL 63 AMG: €11,305 (incl. 19% VAT)
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