When it comes to exclusive high-performance Mercedes and AMG icons of the modern era, you’ll most likely flock towards the obvious names: The McLaren-Mercedes, SLS AMG, AMG GT Black Series, or maybe, in rare instances, if you’re feeling particularly bold, a CLK GTR. But there’s an equally compelling and often overlooked option from the German automaker’s catalog that is just as rare, or even rarer than the above-stated models. While it doesn’t have butterfly doors or flaunt hypercar styling, what it has in spades is character.
Welcome, everyone, to the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series, one of the purest street-legal track toys ever created by the folks over at Affalterbach. The humble R230 SL may serve as the base, but this is no ordinary SL. Former TopGear presenter, Jeremy Clarkson, who famously reviewed it back in ‘09, called it ‘mind-boggling’ and he’s not wrong.
With big power courtesy of its 12-cylinder turbocharged powerplant and a silhouette that looks like it just stepped out of cyberpunk, here was an SL that had been extensively reworked by AMG. 350 examples were made, but only 175 units made it to U.S. shores, making it rarer than a quarter of the global McLaren SLR production run and nearly 10 times rarer in the United States. If you’re the sort of collector chasing low-volume, high-drama machines, here’s why this V12 monster is worth considering.
AMG’s Ultimate Street Weapon
At first glance, the SL65 Black Series may look like something cooked up in a virtual concept, but there was method to the madness. The standard R230 was never what you’d call featherweight. The SL, after all, was a grand tourer, and comfort took precedence. So when AMG set out to create the ultimate track toy, they had their work cut out.
The SL’s retractable hard top made way for a fixed carbon-fiber roof. The entire body was widened and sculpted using carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), and this shaved over 550 pounds compared to the base SL65. This brought the weight down to 4,122 pounds, which is still rather hefty, but adequate when paired with a custom AMG-tuned suspension, a stiffened chassis, optional carbon ceramic brakes, and most crucially, that hand-built V12 powerplant. Mind you, while things do look civilised in the cabin, and the carbon seats and stiff ride will pay dividends on track, the SL Black’s harsh ride has an impact on its on-road usability. Something to keep in mind.
As for that engine, we’re talking about a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 from the standard SL65 AMG, except that for this particular application, AMG’s engineers reinforced the internals, tweaked the turbos, upgraded the intercoolers, and recalibrated the ECU. The result? 661 horsepower, which isn’t that big a number by modern standards, but for ‘09, those were impressive. That’s more power than a Ferrari Enzo.
Torque though was pretty substantial at 738 pound-feet. In fact, AMG had to electronically limit the torque to make it work with the five-speed automatic transmssison, which sent power exclusively to the rear wheels. 0-60 mph happens in 3.8 seconds and the top speed is electronically limited to 199 mph, and without the limited, you’re looking at 210 mph.
Those extra-wide fender flares are a functional element aiding in high-speed stability, housing a staggered setup with 265/35ZR19 upfront and 325/30ZR20 on the rear, which worked with the active wing that deploys at 75 mph to put all that power down. On the Nürburging Nordschelife, it clocked a lap time of 7:51 minutes, which puts it in the same league as the Ferrari 599 GTB (7:47 minutes) and the Porsche 997 GT3 RS (7:48 seconds) from the same era.
Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series Specs
| Engine Displacement | 6.0L Twin-Turbo V12 |
| Engine Configuration | Twin-Turbo V12 |
| Horsepower | 661 hp |
| Torque | 738 lb-ft (limited) |
| Transmission | 5-speed AMG Speedshift auto |
| Curb Weight | ~4,100 lbs |
| 0–60 mph | 3.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 199 mph (electronically limited) |
A V12 Rarity In A World Dominated By V8s
We may only have a handful of brand-new V12-powered models today, but even back in ‘09, it was an endangered species. AMG’s focus had already begun to shift towards the now legendary 6.2-liter V8, which made its way into everything from the C63 and E63 to the gullwing SLS. While the Black Series line was about the aforementioned ‘brute force’, they all featured V8s. The SL65 Black Series is the only AMG Black Series to ever feature A V12, and that matters, because once you realize that this was AMG’s first, last, and only attempt at a V12 Black Series, its case for collectibility gets a lot clearer.
Values and Investment Outlook
When it hit the showroom floor in 2009, a $300,000 sticker price was rather steep for a beefed up SL for an economy still steeped in recession. Having said that, it was still lesser than the SLR McLaren’s $450,000 from the mid-2000s and Mercedes managed to still sell every single one of them.
Average prices have hovered around $250,000 to $300,000 on the secondary market for a while, but have steadily increased since 2022, with most transactions happening in the $350k range, which is still less than the SLR. A pristine U.S.-spec example with low miles could easily command a lot more, especially if it is in he rare Mars Red color. Other factory shades include Obsidian Black, Iridum Silver, and Designo Mystic White. Here’s a white example with 6,123 miles, currently listed on duPont REGISTRY for $399,900.
What to Look for Before Buying An SL65 AMG Black Series
If you’re lucky enough to find an SL65 Black Series, as with any vehicle, documentation and originality will be crucial. Most of these cars were delivered to collectors, so ultra-low-mileage examples do exist. You have to be especially cautious about modified cars, or ones that have had their exhaust or ECUs tinkered with. Torque-converter wear was a known issue on these cars, so look for transmission service records. Factory-original examples with AMG build-sheets and detailed maintenance records will command a premium.
If You Like the SL65 Black Series, Consider These V12 Alternatives
Ferrari 599 GTO
- Production Years: 2010–2012
- Production Numbers: 599 units
- Average Market Value (Past 5 Years): $743,651
Lamborghini Murciélago LP670-4 SV
- Production Years: 2009–2010
- Production Numbers: 186 units
- Average Market Value (Past 5 Years): $640,091
Aston Martin V12 Vantage (First Gen)
- Production Years: 2009–2013
- Production Numbers: ~1,200 units (excluding special editions)
- Average Market Value (Past 5 Years): $163,000
Why The SL65 AMG Black Series Is A Highly Underrated Future Classic in Plain Sight
While the SLS Black Series and modern AMG GT Black Series coninue to garner a lot of attention in the collector community, the SL65 Black Series remains the underdog unicorn of AMG’s golden era. Too heavy, too expensive, too insane for its time; this is a car that shouldn’t have existed and here we are 15 years later, appreciating its analog appeal.
As the last V12 Black Series, the SL65 also marked the end of the era. No track-mode trickery, no hybrid aids, just old-school fire-breather force feeding thrust to two rear tires. In today’s age of DCT this and AWD that, the SL65 Black Series may seem hilaroulsy outdated, but thats the whole point. This is a car that all about brute force and nothing else and that’s what makes it a highly desirable collector car.
Source: Mercedes-Benz, AMG, Classic.com
FAQ
1. How many SL65 Black Series were built?
A. Mercedes AMG built 350 units of the SL65 AMG Black Series, with 175 units coming to the United States.
2. What makes the SL65 Black Series so special?
A. The SL65 AMG is the only V12-powered AMG Black Series ever made, making it significantly rarer than an SLR McLaren or SLS Black Series.
3. Is the SL65 AMG Black Series a good investment?
A. Yes. Being a limited run model with limited availability and the V12 engine, the SL65 AMG remains undervalued with prices still hovering around $350k, making it extremely collectible
4. Are there any alternatives to the SL65 Black Series?
A. While the SLR McLaren and SLS Black Series are strong AMG investments, none within the Mercedes stable match the rarity and V12 drama of the SL65 Black Series. If you’re after a V12 from this era, your best options are a 599 GTB or a
5. What colors were available on the SL65 AMG Black Series?
A. The SL65 AMG Black Series was offered in limited factory color options, including Obsidian Black, Designo Mystic White, and Iridium Silver, with Mars Red being the rarest.