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2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Debut

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2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Research Click to hide

By Joel Arellano | March 22, 2012

What's New

The arrival of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG convertible roadster was inevitable, with chassis-mates Mercedes-Benz SL550 and Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG making a bow earlier this year. The Mercedes SL65 AMG carries all the changes wrought on the other two, including a revamped exterior design (check out that grille);Mercedes-Benz SLS-inspired interior; and a 254 pound lighter body courtesy of aluminum and carbon composite. Mercedes then does a final tweak, wringing out an additional 17 horsepower from the SL65 AMG's V-12 for a final figure of 621 horsepower.

Who It's For

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG competes in a rarified market. Buyers want a convertible roadster whose engine figures--primarily horsepower and torque, or low end ower--are as jaw dropping as the price tags on them. The Mercedes SL65 AMG and other such gems must be practically street legal true race cars, yet be ready to cruise sedately to the hottest weekend hotspots with nary a protest or uncomfortable stiff-suspension hiccup. The Mercedes-Benz SL65 fills that comfortable sweet spot, but so does the competition which includes the BMW M6, Jaguar XK, and--of course--Porsche 911.

Key Features

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG is all about power. As previously mentioned, the SL65 AMG's engine has been extensively retuned from the prior generation's 604 horsepower to now 621 horsepower. Torque, or low-end acceleration, remains the mighty 738 pound-feet. The Mercedes SL65 AMG can go from zero to sixty in less than four seconds putting it at the top of any speed shopper's list.

Other, more mundane features include:

Configurable transmission--from Controlled Efficiency, or comfort; Sport; Sport plus; and Manual--allow a wide range of driving styles in the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG.
Standard AMG-exclusive 3-stage ESP with Sport Handling allows even greater handling of the SL65 AMG by the driver.
Optional "Magic Sky Control" has the owner able to lighten or darken the Mercedes SL65 AMG's retractable roof with a touch of the button.
The Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG's standard Airscarf vent system blows warm air on the driver's neck as they greet the cold morning air with the roof down.

What We Think

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG fits its unique niche perfect, blending performance and comfort in, very expensive package. The coming better fuel economy figures are a nice bonus, but does anyone really spend six figures for slightly better mpg on a sports car?

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