Monster SL’s Black magic!

The wraps have come off the most powerful Mercedes ever! This mean-looking car is the SL 65 AMG Black Series, which has a 670bhp engine – giving it even more punch than the SLR McLaren.

Rivalling established supercars such as the Ferrari 599 GTB and Lamborghini Murciélago, it has a modified 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 that also delivers an incredible 1,000Nm of torque.

Amazingly, engineers at Mercedes had to restrict that figure for road use – without a limiter, the ultimate SL could produce 1,200Nm.

The hand-built powerplant, which gets new turbochargers and a more powerful intercooler than in the regular SL65 AMG, propels the Black Series from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds. It goes all the way to an electronically limited top speed of 199mph.

And the newcomer has the looks to match its performance, with a host of head-turning wings and skirts. To keep the weight to a minimum, many body parts are made of carbon fibre – including the front splitter, bonnet and bootlid. There’s also an electronically activated rear spoiler that rises from the bootlid at over 75mph.

To further stiffen the chassis, the Black Series ditches the standard car’s folding metal top in favour of a fixed coupé roof, with an integral rollover bar.

Owners can adjust various settings to suit the driving conditions. The five-speed auto gets four modes and the traction control has three, while the suspension can be altered for camber, ride height and stiffness. The brakes are uprated too. Inside is a blend of Nappa leather and Alcantara suede, with new carbon fibre bucket seats.

The Black Series is available to order now, with deliveries due in September. Mercedes has yet to reveal price details, but expect a figure in excess of £350,000.