Mad Merc's A Worldbeater

An eyewatering 612bhp and 1,000Nm of tyre melting torque - it can only be the world's most powerful roadster, the Mercedes SL65 AMG.

Auto Express Car Reviews

14th April 2004

It's powered by a 6.0-litre, bi-turbo V12, and can accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds. But the SL65 AMG, unveiled at the New York Motor Show, is equally as impressive when it comes to overtaking. Thanks to large diameter turbos and a water-cooled air intake, all that torque is available between 2,000 and 4,000rpm.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via in-house tuner AMG's Speedshift five-speed automatic transmission, with a steering wheel-mounted manual shift option. A limited slip differential also helps maximise traction under hard acceleration.

And to ensure the roadster stops as well as it goes, it has been fitted with high-performance brakes with composite discs. The car will go on sale in the summer, priced around ΂£100,000.