2013 Mercedes SL 65 AMG – it’s official

2013 Mercedes SL 65 AMG - New York debut

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the 2013 Mercedes SL 65 AMG as the new SL range-topper and its debut at the New York Autro Show.

It had seemed that the V12 Mercedes SL 65 AMG would be a victim of the culling of V12 engines from car makers’ ranges as the imperative to cut emissions and reduce fuel consumption saw the glorious V12s replaced by smaller forced-induction engines. But not at Mercedes-Benz.

As we reported last week, Mercedes are to debut the new generation SL with the mighty V12 Bi-Turbo at April’s New York Auto Show and plan to have it on sale by the end of 2012, conveniently making the new SL 65 a 2013 model on both sides of the Pond.

Mercedes has squeezed a few more horses out of the V12 for a total of 621hp (up from 604hp) by fitting new turbos, new manifolds and wastegate channels. There is also a massive 738lb/ft of torque on offer, all of which goes through the four-mode AMG Speedshift Plus 7-Speed ‘box – the first time Mercedes has fitted anything other than an old-fashioned slush-box to the SL 65 – and delivers a 0-62mph of 3.9 seconds.

The new SL 65 AMG gets all the benefits of the new SL range – including a 100kg+ weight reduction – and as befits the pinnacle of SL ownership it also gets most of Mercedes toy box in the price, a price likely to be pushing inexorably towards £200k.

That means you’ll get the Magic Sky Roof and the AirScarf, new suspension with Active Body Control, Designo interior, Bang and Olufsen the all-singing version of Merc’s COMAND and the new AMG ‘Face’ with the grill and lower inlet reinterpreted for an even more dynamic and premium look.

The Mercedes SL 65 AMG won’t be the biggest seller in the Mercedes range, but it is one hell of a way to put the cherry on top of the new SL.

(14 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)

By Cars UK