The year was 1997, a pivotal moment for a fresh-faced medical school graduate embarking on a European adventure before the demanding internship years began. Among the cherished memories, a standout moment occurred in the Mercedes-Benz museum parking lot in Stuttgart. There, lurking behind a security gate, was a prototype 1998 E50 AMG. It exuded an aura of menace, hunkered down on its 17-inch alloy wheels. It felt galaxies away from the reality of my Opel Astra rental, barely conceivable that one could unleash a 350 HP AMG-tuned V8 on the Autobahn at 170 mph in this latest iteration of the legendary Hammer lineage.
Twelve years have flown by, and the spoils of Germany’s horsepower wars now populate online marketplaces. Six-year-old E55 AMGs, boasting 500 hp supercharged V8s, are attainable for under $30,000. Even a “standard” Mercedes E550 now outperforms the AMGs of my younger days. I myself was living a childhood dream, daily driving a 604 hp CL65 AMG coupe, its colossal twin-turbo V12 churning out double the torque of yesteryear’s hottest V8s. Nothing, not even Mercedes’ own flamboyant V8-powered SLR, could dethrone this luxurious beast as the Autobahn king. Or so I believed…
As magnificent a grand tourer as the CL65 was, it remained a 2.5-ton behemoth with relatively narrow tires and a traditional differential. The smaller SL65 roadster wasn’t significantly lighter. In my automotive daydreams, I often envisioned a lightweight Mercedes, equipped with superior underpinnings, allowing the twin-turbo V12 to truly shine. Evidently, the brilliant minds at Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach concurred. Enter the Mercedes Sl65 Amg Black Series.
The Black Series Transformation: From Roadster to Track Weapon
The formula is well-documented in automotive publications: begin with a “standard,” albeit potent, SL65 AMG roadster. Then, meticulously remove the factory bodywork (excluding the doors) and replace it with aggressively flared, DTM-inspired carbon fiber panels, widening the track by a substantial four inches. Integrate a fixed carbon fiber roof for enhanced rigidity and weight reduction, a menacing front fascia designed to maximize cooling for the upsized heat exchangers, and a speed-sensitive retractable rear wing for optimized aerodynamics. The result is a sleek, low-slung, and muscular fastback coupe, appearing ready to leap over any obstacle in its path.
The sheer presence of this machine is undeniable. When this SL65 AMG Black Series rolled off the transporter from a Midwest dealership, showing a mere 1.7 miles on the odometer, onlookers were captivated. We simply stood and gazed, absorbing its visual impact, shaking our heads in disbelief. It demands time to truly appreciate its form. The flowing fastback roofline, the seamless integration of front fenders into the air extractors, the carbon fiber exhaust surrounds – photographs simply fail to capture its three-dimensional allure. Opening the hood or trunk reveals the exquisite raw carbon fiber undersides of the panels. The trunk space unveils a beautifully crafted box, upholstered in the same premium leather as the seats, adorned with the engine builder’s plaque. Inside, a bespoke car cover and a welcoming letter to the exclusive AMG owners’ circle await.
Engineering Excellence Under the Carbon Skin
The Black Series treatment extends far beyond aesthetics. The heavy, power-sapping Active Body Control suspension is discarded in favor of a track-focused setup: fully adjustable KW coil-over shocks, stiffer H&R sway bars, and substantial Dunlop tires – 19-inch front and 20-inch rear – with Z06-rivaling 325mm width at the rear. A 40% locking differential is essential to manage the immense power of the hand-built V12, now fortified with larger air boxes, enhanced turbos, and a freer-flowing exhaust system featuring genuine Eisenmann race mufflers. These enhancements culminate in a staggering 661 horsepower and a colossal 738 lb-ft of torque, propelling a vehicle that is 500 pounds lighter than the 4,600 lb SL65 convertible.
To validate AMG’s performance claims, the prescribed break-in procedure outlined on the windshield decal was meticulously followed. At 1,000 miles, the experts at Hennessey Performance in Sealy, Texas, performed a precautionary oil change. Immediately after, the car was rolled onto their Dynojet dynamometer. After confirming the correct oil level and activating the “dyno mode” (disabling ABS/TC/ESP), the SL65 AMG Black Series defied the 96-degree, 90% humidity Houston heat. On its initial run, it registered 580 horsepower at the wheels and an astonishing 700 lb-ft of torque, SAE corrected. Factoring in a typical 20% drivetrain loss, the factory flywheel figures appear conservative. Such robust numbers from a completely stock vehicle were unprecedented. Only a Bugatti Veyron could rival this level of power.
Unleashed Performance on the Open Road
The numerous highway challenges politely declined during the break-in period were swiftly forgotten during the first full-throttle highway run. Unlike the refined, almost subdued nature of standard V12 Mercedes models, the Black Series roars with authority and surges forward with relentless force at any speed. Acceleration is, predictably, mind-bending. Engage full throttle at 60 mph, and assuming traction is maintained, the rear spoiler deploys in your rearview mirror within a second, signaling 75 mph. Four seconds later, triple-digit speeds are reached, with acceleration showing no signs of diminishing. While unconfirmed, the ECU seems to permit increased boost in higher gears, as no other stock vehicle experienced delivers such a surge of power when shifting into 4th gear at 120 mph. With AMG removing the speed limiter, raising it from 155 to 199 mph, a top-speed run at the Texas Mile event in October becomes a compelling prospect.
While the 5-speed automatic transmission remains, it’s been enhanced with a Black Series-specific ‘M2’ mode for quicker shifts. In this mode, the otherwise understated white tachometer displays a yellow/red circumferential shift light, reminiscent of drag racing culture.
Further exploration of the steering wheel menu reveals dual lap timers, capable of sequential triggering, ideal for measuring 0-60 mph and the benchmark 60-130 mph times in a single run.
Track-Inspired Handling and Interior Refinement
The ride quality is surprisingly firm, comparable to a Porsche 997 GT2, but body roll is virtually nonexistent. The factory settings for the adjustable coil-overs and alignment are the same used by AMG engineers at the Nürburgring. However, for real-world driving, slightly reduced compression and rebound damping might enhance ride comfort. In corners, the SL65 AMG Black Series exhibits remarkable grip, but the immense torque necessitates careful throttle application upon corner exit. Fortunately, a Black Series-specific ESP Sport mode permits greater yaw before intervening, allowing for a more engaging driving experience.
Inside, the cabin largely mirrors the standard SL, with key distinctions including a flat-bottomed, perforated leather steering wheel, white AMG tachometer, paddle shifters, and carbon fiber trim accents. The shift knob proudly proclaims “One of 175,” highlighting its rarity in the US market, even more exclusive than a Porsche Carrera GT. Luxurious leather and Alcantara surfaces abound, complemented by comfortable bucket seats, devoid of the usual heating/ventilation features, and adorned with unique horizontal white stitching, specific to the Black Series. Due to US side-impact regulations, these seats replace the European-spec carbon fiber racing buckets, maintaining a degree of everyday usability. Jeremy Clarkson, known for his discerning taste (and perhaps his back), would undoubtedly be envious.
A Rare Breed in a Changing Automotive Landscape
The Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series, however, presents a dichotomy. It is a factory-built, lightweight hot rod, incorporating track-focused cooling, power, suspension, and aerodynamic enhancements. Yet, it still carries a two-ton weight, lacks ceramic brakes, and utilizes a traditional automatic transmission. Despite these nuances, one undeniable truth remains: in an automotive era increasingly focused on CO2 emissions and electrification, the 2009 SL65 AMG Black Series stands as one of the rarest and most outrageous creations from the twilight of the second golden age of performance cars.
Special thanks to Hennessey Performance for the dynamometer access and TonyG Photography for capturing these stunning images. Explore more photos of the SL65 AMG Black Series at TonyG’s website.
