As for the suspension, the AMG experts put their trust in a new design. The AMG sports suspension has been designed on adjustable coil spring; a proven motorsport solution allowing the shock absorbers' rebound and compression stages, ride height, wheel alignment and camber to be adjusted. This means the driver can adjust the suspension to suit his personal specifications when driving on racing circuits. The spring links, camber struts and pull/push rods on both axles are new and each axle has a weight-optimized aluminum wheel hub. Compared with the standard SL 65 AMG, the Black Series front axle track width is 3.8" wider and the rear axle track width 3.3" wider. A multiple-disc limited-slip differential on the rear axle with a 40% locking effect guarantees optimum traction.
The three-stage sports function ESP means the driver can choose between "ESP ON", "ESP SPORT" and "ESP OFF" by pressing the button; the AMG instrument cluster will then show which mode is activated on the central display.New, weight-optimised, twin-spoke design, AMG forged alloy wheels - 19" front and 20" rear -occupy each fender. With their black paintwork, high-sheen surface and matte finish, they lend a note of extravagance to the profile.
The wheel/tyre combination chosen is also responsible for a superb performance by the SL 65 AMG Black Series on racing circuits. 265/35 R19 tires are fitted to 9.5" wide wheels on the front axle. The impressive format for the rear axle is 20x11.5" light-alloy wheels with 325/30 R20 tires. Dunlop, DTM's motorsport partner, supplies the Sport Maxx GT tires.
The large AMG high-performance brake system can be seen through the structure of the AMG twin-spoke light-alloy wheels. The drilled rotors engineered in particularly strong composite materials are employed all round. On the front axle, braking is undertaken by six-piston fixed calipers and 390x36 mm discs; on the rear axles, this task is carried out by four-piston fixed calipers and 360x26 mm discs.
Nappa leather, alcantara and carbon: the interior of the SL 65 AMG Black Series provides the perfect ambience to set the pulse of sports car enthusiasts racing. The interior, entirely in black, exudes the functional atmosphere of a sports car while the details have the power to captivate.
Newly developed AMG sports bucket seats made of CFRP (European version only) provide perfect lateral support for the occupants when taking bends fast. The seats without side airbags are upholstered in fine-grained nappa leather and alcantara with embossed AMG lettering in the head restraints. The smaller diameter, flattened and perforated steering wheel provides maximum vehicle control. The silver aluminum shift paddles allow manual gear selection.
Additional highlights in the centre console are the high-quality carbon trim parts, the gleaming matte start/stop button, the new selector lever with carbon inlay and the AMG logo with "Black Series" lettering. Matching features are the carbon door centre panels with embossed AMG lettering, together with the roof lining and the A and C-pillars upholstered in anthracite alcantara.
The AMG instrument cluster is a completely new design. The black speedometer with its scale reading up to 220mph has been re-designed; and the same is true of the white rev counter, which has four integral LEDs to advise the driver of the optimum gearshift points.
Like the SLK 55 AMG Black Series and the CLK 63 AMG Black Series before it, the SL 65 AMG Black Series was also developed in the AMG Performance Studio, which opened in 2006. The first SL 65 vehicles will be delivered to customers in November 2008.
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