- Car brand: Mercedes-Benz
- Convertible roof type: Hardtop
The AMG SL came in two rather different versions. They may have looked similar but under the bonnet the engines were very different animals. While the 63 AMG has a V8 the Mercedes SL 65 AMG boasted a full V12. The 65 AMG had such an excess of grunt that this gentlemanly car seemed more like a rollercoaster. The V12 with twin turbochargers giving it monstrous bursts of power and torque. A rhinoceros in wolf’s clothing.
The big engine was wonderfully charismatic but unfortunately added considerable weight to the front end of the Mercedes SL – softening the handling and making it feel less athletic in the corners so while the V12 has the most impressive straight line performance, the V8 was the car favoured by keen drivers.
The R230 generation SL65 is nothing less than peak SL. It’s performance idiosyncrasies are cured by simply replacing the archaic Pirelli’s with modern tires like Michelin PS4S’s for greater grip and amazing agility upgrades. Peak SL because it’s the last with a spare tire [and kit], 8 remote locking interior compartments, fog lights, power roll bar and hydraulic rack and pinion steering. None of that gear is onboard SL’s afterwards including the latest R232.