AMG produces one of the world’s most powerful roadsters, the SL 65 AMG V12 BiTurbo, since 2004. The roadster is built on the base of the Mercedes-Benz R230 and has the 6-liter engine (also used in Maybachs) offering up 612 hp (450 kW). The “natural” torque (in the truest sense of the word) of the engine is 1200 Nm, but it is limited by the engine control to 1000 Nm.
The noble tuner INDEN Design from Flammersbach near the Hessian Haiger has taken on the daunting task of upgrading the SL again . With Joachim Inden at the helm– the deep black roadster, INDEN tunes the beast and finishes it in black sapphire as a result of the conversion.
Let us begin with a front apron, which has huge holes for ventilation. The hood had to go through corrections as well. The front wings were widened, that required to change the inner wheel arches. Linking of this set of side skirts and front and rear wheel arches could hardly be made more individual. The rear wheel arches have considerably more volume now. At the rear, subtle spoiler and modified apron with rear diffuser are conspicuous.
Direct contact between the vehicle and asphalt is achieved by a perfectly adequate wheel / tire combination of three-part INDEN Champion 11×20 or 13×20-inch rims with 265/30 and 325/25R20 tires.
Electronic control module provides additional lowering by about 45 mm. The performance of the aforementioned engine was – not surprisingly – increased to 680 hp, and the Vmax-lock was removed. For the desired sonorous engine sound Black Sapphire exhaust pipes were installed. The interior of the INDEN’s SL 65 AMG V12 features a Black Series Steering Wheel in Alcantara.
Youcan take a look more closely at this vehicle at the Tuning World Bodensee in Friedrichshafen from May 5 to 11, 2011.
The highest commitment of MKB´s high performance engineering. Mercedes tuner MKB offers for the most powerful AMG supercar another 345 horsepower. The standard 670 hp are turned into 1,015 hp by the Swabian engineers of the technology tuning company MKB. The engine´s torque is limited to 1.300 Nm.
Before any lucky owner can turn the key of his SL 65 Black Series with the MKB P 1000 power train the car has to undergo an enormous engine conversion.
The new engine conversion for the most powerful AMG engine demanded the long term experience of the whole engineering team at MKB. The engineer’s basis is well known. Many AMG 65 owners trust MKB performance tuning and so they reach regularly speeds with their luxury coupes and luxury sedans on the Autobahn, speeds at which modern jet fighters had retracted their landing gear already.
The club sports AMG SL 65 Black Series plays a new role in the AMG product range but it must not step out of the classic power performance line at MKB. “Our main goal with the new engine MKB P 1000 isn´t a new one. We simply want to give back the top speed performance to this SL with its high downforceaerosetting. It should be v-max capable just like our other top speed efficient cars. And for this we need more than 800 engine horsepower,” points out MKB CEO Panagiotis Avramidis. But even 900 hp are not enough when you are holding the technological key for over 1.000 hp.
In fact the idea behind the SL Black Series is a whole new concept at AMG. The new high performance in both longitudinal and lateral acceleration showed a new principle. A principle that reduces the v-max for a better race track experience. But at MKB the typical AMG club sports pilot is well known so one thing is clear to the MKB engineers: Especially the longitudinal acceleration must not stop to soon and the most merciless push out of any corner reduces the lap time most easily.
So the MKB engine modification is in its depths is absolute outstanding compared to any other tuned 12- cylinder AMG engine. If costs are neglect able then one can work on the power plant with a greater creativity – inside and outside. The MKB package for the AMG SL Black Series covers the whole drive train and offers the demanded reliability for high speed trials at Nardo or several hot laps on the Nürburgring in succession.
The engine conversion MKB P 1000. A new philosophy. The focus on turbo charging. For the Swabian enterprise MKB and most respected technology tuner for Mercedes and AMG cars the work on high performance power trains is business as usual. Decent exterior design, refinement in the interior but magnificent thrust under the bonnet adjusted brakes and wheels are the MKB key visual in the market.
But this MKB P 1000 marks MKB´s step into the future. Even the name shows it clearly. And in Swabian decency it underrates the performance slightly. The new MKB style is the adaption to the vehicle basis: the Mercedes performance product range will be based upon turbocharged engines in the near future. MKB demonstrates with the MKB P 1000 and its over 1.000 hp output the ultimate technology leadership in that business branch.
The 6.0 litre AMG V12 gets in the MKB P 1000 conversion a completely new engine periphery – this means air intakes, turbo charger systems, cooling systems are the visible means. Inside MKB works as consequent too. Apart from MKB camshafts the power ECU has the important job to control the flowing gases in a way that maximum power output, drivability and sustainability will be combined on a high level. The engine pushes significantly forward from 1.500 rpm onwards. Anything like a turbo lag is unknown. The automatic gearbox is converted too to meet the increased engine torque.
Additionally MKB offers MBK LSD rear axles with different ratios to reach different end speeds.
The roll-out was in direct competition
MKB technicians demonstrated their full confidence as they made the first roll out at Hockenheim during the international drag race. In front of 8.000 spectators and an astonished announcer the AMG Black series with its MKB P 1000 won his two shoot outs versus specialized drag racing US muscle cars. “To race the ¼ mile was new to us,” tells Panagiotis Avramidis, “and this car had a final drive good for a theoretical 370 km/h. So the car runs only in the first two gears on the drag strip. And as we told the professional competitors that we must use the normal high street tire pressure for safety reasons we have been laughed at. But in the end it turned out it was not so bad for us.”
The first presented Version will use the final drive ratio for 370 km/h at 5.700 rpm. The MKB v-max is not measured yet. The testing at Nardo or Papenburg oval course will be held soon. The car should be fun to drive not only on the motorway so the engine kept its place low above the front axle. The standard room in the engine compartment of the SL and other Mercedes cars were kept in mind when developing the turbo charging banks and the air intake ducts. The original looks of the car – even when the drive train is massively converted – means a lot to the typical MKB customer.
Unchanged at the exterior but with a performance far beyond of most super cars and still with the typical Mercedes comfort to reach any High-speed Event without bruises or a stiff neck. With this sentence one can describe the result after a MKB P 1000 conversion of any AMG SL Black Series best. All in all the MKB P 1000 is spot on with his basis in regards of everyday use but it speeds ahead easily if necessary. MKB offers this conversion as a custom hand built car in the MKB workshop. There is no production number limit for the engine. After the launch with the AMG SL Black Series all other AMG 65 cars can reach over 1.000 hp at the real wheels. The total cost for the engine tuning is 116.800.- EURO in Germany including 19 % VAT. As this tuning can be only done at MKB and takes a lot of efforts the conversion time will take up to 3 month.
Data:
MKB means unrestricted acceleration.
MKB vehicles are developed and constructed using state-of-the-art technologies. Instead of sacrificing potential to the emotionless cost-savings measures used for mass-produced cars, MKB unleashes that potential and pushes it to the limit with additional MKB technology. At MKB, the main focus is not on maximizing profits. It’s on the sheer joy of enjoying the full potential of modern automobiles – together with our passionate customers. Optimize the complete drive train – the engine, transmission and differential – is the focus of everything MKB does. Every MKB product comes from a constant, passionate drive to achieve maximum power, and from the search for the ideal technical solution.
A while back, we told you about BRABUS and their work creating the Vanish Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series – a model that noted a power boost of 130 hp over the factory output and as a result, sat pretty at the 800 hp mark. Not to be outdone, RENNtech just sent us details of their tuned version of the SL65 AMG Black Series, which takes the already consummate model and boosts output to… wait for it… 805 horsepower. That’s 5 horsepower more than the BRABUS, allowing those in the RENNtech camp to sit smugly back and gloat in the fact that their tuning package is clearly superior to their competitors. Making the magic happen is RENNtech’s SL65 Black Series Performance Package 1, which includes ECU/TCU tuning, a dual intercooler pump upgrade and sport mufflers. Pricing starts at $16,390, while a RENNtech transmission upgrade and limited slip differential are optional extras to compliment the newfound power at your disposal.
Before I start getting hate mail from BRABUS owners, let me make it clear that I wasn’t being serious above. I’m not recommending RENNtech over BRABUS or vice versa – 800 horsepower or 805 horsepower, both are going to be one hell of a ride, and you really can’t go wrong with anything that’s got 800 plus horses under its hood. To see more of the RENNtech Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series, check out more pics in the gallery.
Update:
RENNTECH has teamed up with Domani Motors to create a show stopping SL65 AMG Black Series. Since the release of RENNTECHs Performance Package 1 for the Black Series, it has created quite the buzz within the international tuning market. Domani Motors hired on RENNTECH to outfit their pearl white Black Series, which now modded produces a staggering 805 HP and 1000 LB-FT of torque at the crank.
RENNTECH’S performance Package 1 for the Black Series includes ECU/TCU tuning, Dual Intercooler Pump Upgrade, and RENNTECH Sport Exhaust. This particular vehicle was also equipped with a Transmission Upgrade and 100% Locking Rear Differential from RENNTECH. The RENNtech differential is based on OS Giken’s line of Super-Lock LSD which functions as a traditional open differential in low and normal-load situations, transforming smoothly and gradually up to 100% full lock as loads rise. The Super-Lock LSDs clutch packs make the unit incredibly quiet and smooth, without the kind of chatter usually associated with limited-slip cars.
The Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series is an unquestionably beautiful car. Unfortunately, as part of its extensive list of performance enhancements, it loses one of the SL’s family’s most desirable features: the folding roof. Attempting to bring the thrill of open air driving up to the performance (and styling) status of the Black Series, TC-Concepts has introduced a Black Series tuning package for the traditional SL65 AMG.
Outside, new styling cues include significantly wider fender flares, a new grill, modified bumpers and 20-inch ADV1 Deep Concave Series wheels, all of which bring the TC-Concepts’ SL65 AMG Black Series tuning package significantly in line with its factory direct counterpart. As for power, the output of the SL65 AMG’s twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 has been bumped up to 700 PS (515 kW / 690 bhp), or 30 PS (22 kW / 30 bhp) more than the standard SL65 AMG Black Series. The result is a 0-62 mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph. Add to that a retractable hard top, and you’ve got yourself an open air SL remarkably close in performance to the standard SL65 Black.
To see more of TC-Concepts Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series tuning package, you can check out more photos in the gallery below.
First there was the BRABUS VANISH – a finely tuned 800 horsepower monster born of the Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series created by German Mercedes super tuner BRABUS. Never one to rest on their laurels, BRABUS went back to work, creating a second model based on the SL65 AMG Black Series they’re calling the BRABUS Stealth. This time, power has been bumped from the standard SL65 AMG Black’s 670 PS (493 kW / 661 bhp) up to an even more incredible 820 PS (603 kW / 809 bhp) and 1420 Nm (1047 lb-ft) of torque – this compared to Vanish’s 800 PS (588 kW / 789 bhp). 0-62 mph times are likely equal to that of the Vanish (3.6 seconds), while top speed checks in at over 206 mph.
Creating the consummate power supply, the BRABUS T65 RS performance kit was again put to work, which includes two enhanced turbochargers, a new intercooler with 4 water/air heat-exchangers, an additional radiator, three electric high performance coolant pumps, a dynamic pressure lowering metal catalytic converter and BRABUS’ software programming for the engine ECU. The result is a one-off SL65 AMG Black Series that at present, holds title as the most powerful BRABUS-tuned SL65 AMG Black Series in existence.
You can see a short video and photos of the BRABUS Stealth Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series immediately below.
As you may remember, last month we brought you the first details of the BRABUS T65 RS Vanish – the super-tuned Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series with an output of some 800 horsepower. Today, BRABUS has officially issued the Vanish’s full specs, and while they match what we previously told you, can you really get tired reading about an 800hp SL65 AMG? Of course not, so here again is the rundown. Zero to 62 mph in 3.6 seconds. Zero to 124 mph in 9.8 seconds. A top speed of over 206 mph, electronically limited to 200 mph. This is the BRABUS T65 RS Vanish.
Making it happen – the BRABUS T65 RS tuning program. A BRABUS high-tech twin turbo system that includes two special exhaust manifolds with integrated turbine housings and high-performance turbochargers; four generously dimensioned intercoolers beneath the BRABUS carbon-fiber hood scoop; a BRABUS stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with free-flow metal catalysts; and newly programmed engine electronics with special mapping for injection and ignition all serve to bump power to 800 hp (788 bhp) / 588 kW at 5,500 rpm and an even more impressive peak torque of 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb-ft), available at 2,100 rpm (peak torque is limited electronically to 1,100 Nm).
It’s a thing of beauty, and if you’ve got an extra $100,000 (approximately) to spend customizing your SL65 AMG Black Series, it’s yours. For the full list of BRABUS T65 RS Vanish Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series enhancements, you can find the full details in the press release below.
Earlier in the week we brought you the first look at the BRABUS Vanish – a ridiculously powered Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series outputting some 800 horsepower. At the time, we didn’t have specifics on the model other than pictures and some rough specs, but today we’ve got a far more detailed feature rundown along with some additional photos at the model.
First things first: the all-important power numbers. As we told you last time, output is boosted to the 800 hp mark, up from the SL65 AMG Black Series’ factory 670 hp. Making the magic happen is the BRABUS’ T65 RS performance kit, which includes two enhanced turbochargers, a new intercooler with 4 water/air heat-exchangers, an additional radiator, three electric high performance coolant pumps, a dynamic pressure lowering metal catalytic converter and BRABUS’ software programming for the engine ECU. The end result is a 0-62 mph time of 3.6 seconds (down from the standard SL65 AMG Black Series’ 3.8 seconds) and a top speed of about 205 mph (we’re still awaiting the official press release from BRABUS to confirm final speed figures).
Inside, leather and Alcantara add additional styling elements to the BRABUS Vanish SL65 AMG Black Series. Also notable is the addition of red stitching, with the seats, dashboard, middle console, door panels, steering wheel and floor mats all boasting the red accents. Other changes include the powerdome hood conversion, matte black paint and a new speedometer with a top speed of 360 km/h.
As for the BRABUS Vanish’s pricing, you’re looking at roughly EUR 42,000 for the T65 RS performance kit, EUR 8,000 for the hood and speedometer, EUR 14,500 for the interior and EUR 7,000 for the paint, bringing the rough total to EUR 71,500 (which, at the time I write this, is about $96,771). Add to that the Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series’ price of roughly $320,000, and you’ve got yourself one very fast, very expensive SL-Class.
To see more of the BRABUS T65 RS Vanish Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series, you can view more photos in the gallery below. And a special thanks to Markus Jordan for the pictures.
When thinking of the Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series, it’s only natural to think of a model that exemplifies the tuning prowess of AMG. Straight from the factory it’s capable of hitting 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and 124 mph in 11.0 seconds before achieving a top speed of an electronically limited 198.8 mph. For most, that’s plenty of power; but for an unknown Middle Eastern SL65 AMG Black Series owner, it was just the starting point.
He took the consummate model to BRABUS, where they worked the same tuning magic they do on every other Mercedes and applied it to the SL65 AMG Black. The end result is a said bump in power of some 130 hp – taking the SL65 Black’s standard 670 hp to the 800 hp mark. Larger turbos, a new gearbox, larger brake pads and an upgraded exhaust system are attributed to making it all possible.
As for the result of the power boost, BRABUS hasn’t quoted specifics, but it likely shaves a few tenths off the acceleration times while removing the speed limiter likely bumps top speed well into the 200+ mph range. If additional details are revealed, we’ll keep you updated; in the meantime, check out more photos of the BRABUS VANISH Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series in the gallery below.
Thanks to Top Speed and PistonHeads for the photos.
With the launch of our new site we’ve been hard at work catching up on the stories we missed during our absence, and one story we felt necessary to add to to our features is a look at the Carlsson C25 Super GT – a model that celebrated its world premier at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. If you missed it, the Carlsson C25 was conceived from the platform of the consummate Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series, the race-inspired SL coupe boasting 493 kW/670 hp and a maximum torque of 1,000 newton metres directly from the factory. Carlsson took the SL65 Black a step further, bumping output to a staggering 554kW/753 hp and 1,320 Nm torque (electronically limited to 1,150Nm). The end result is a model capable of accelerating from 0-62 mph in a mere 3.7 seconds before hitting a top speed of precisely 218.7 mph.
But the Carlsson C25 is more than just a tuned SL65 AMG Black Series, it’s design makes it a model unto its own. Outside, both the front rear have been heavily re-worked, with a Carlsson’s trademark trapezoidal shapes featured throughout. The headlights and taillights have both been significantly altered; there’s a new elongated front with a revised hood, front apron and grille; the rear of the vehicle boasts a far more angular shape with a radically altered exhaust design; and the contours over the rear wheel arches now flow to the back of the vehicle, as opposed to following the wheel downward (these are just some of the design changes). Inside, stronger traces of the Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series remain, although Carlsson has clad the interior in a new plum color comprised of buffalo leather and ultra-suede.
Completing the package and ensuring optimum drivability, a Carlsson high performance braking system with with 405 mm large slotted race brake discs up front and 380 mm race brake discs at the rear, the Carlsson C-TRONIC SUSPENSION system and Carlsson ultra-light and forged wheels (40 percent lighter than custom light alloy wheels) all serve to help you adequately manage the abundance of power at your disposal.
If you’re interested in procuring a Carlsson C25, there’s a couple caveats. First, Carlsson will only be delivering one C25 per country in an effort to ensure exclusivity, and secondly, Carlsson’s allotment of only 25 vehicles has already been sold out. If you have your heart set on the C25, however, I have a feeling that if your finances match your desires, you’ll likely see one or two C25’s pop up on the second hand market in the not-too-distant future.
While you’re waiting, feel free to read more about the Carlsson C25 Super GT in the official press release below and view a photo gallery showcasing the C25’s design and official reveal in Geneva.