In the world between high performance and driver-friendly luxury, there sits the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG. The functionality and driver-intuitive interior of this vehicle sets this streamlined powerhouse apart from its competitors.
What's New for 2016
The new SL is getting a bit of a facelift for the new model year. Buyers will notice changes to the exterior of the car, but nothing too groundbreaking. The aesthetic changes this year and last were an attempt to set it apart from not only other models in the SL family, but also its competitors. Otherwise the engine and other features are carryovers from last year.
Choosing Your Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG
The SL65 AMG is the top-tier offering in the sixth generation of the SL line. While Mercedes-Benz has always been known for engineering and style, it also delivers heavily on the power front with the SL65. While you can dazzle onlookers with the style and grace of this model, the real story is the power this car packs all day long.
The SL65 sports a handcrafted 6-liter biturbo V12 with a whopping 738 pound-feet of torque and the boast-worthy ability to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. It's less of a luxury vehicle and more of a wicked race car in sheep’s clothing. The aluminum shift paddles on the steering and the AMG sport exhaust help add to the feeling this car needs to be on the autobahn and not hemmed up in a suburban garage.
Power and style aside, SL65 also has lots of amenities to offer at the standard level. Its Eco start/stop system automatically shuts off the engine when the driver is at a stoplight or other idling situation. The moment drivers lift off the brake, the engine instantly restarts. This does help with the economy of the vehicle, although you shouldn't expect more than 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.
Safety is also a big factor with this car. It offers many different features that will make any driver feel secure: airbags throughout, adaptive braking technology, and AMG limited slip differential, which in a slippage situation transfers more torque to the wheel with the best traction. It also features a first-of-its-kind Attention Assist system that monitors a variety of driving factors and can detect of a drowsy driver is beginning to nod off.
Standard features in this top-of-the-line model include ventilated seats, AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, active multi-contour seats with massage feature, rearview camera, PARKTRONIC with active parking assist and an automatic trunklid with hands-free access.
There isn’t too much the SL65 doesn’t already offer. But with an MSRP of $217,550 the slight cost of $4,950 for the AMG High-Contrast Styling Package is well worth the small extra investment.