Skip Channel4 main Navigation
Explore Channel4
Food
Homes
Film
4Car
News
See All

Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series (2009-) Review

Category: Exotic Sports 3 out of 5

Summary of the Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series (2009-)

Price Range: £59,975 to £153,050

Assets

Truly colossal power, Gotham City looks, very refined

Drawbacks

Stiff ride, unresolved handling, a touch pricey

Verdict

Objectively impressive, but too flawed to carry its price tag with confidence

Mercedes SL-Class Review

Comfort and Equipment3 out of 5

Whether any given customer will find the Black Series SL a comfortable way of going about his or her business depends very much not just on where they go, but who they are. Those of around average height who drive long distances on motorways will likely find no reason for complaint. For all its mad appearance, this is a remarkably refined car, with wind, engine and even tyre noise admirably well suppressed.

But if you're tall, or just unusually long in the leg, or if you spend much time on bumpy B-roads, you're going to find this SL as short of legroom as any other and rather harder on the backside. The need to control all that weight at track speed has led to the selection of very unyielding spring rates with a consequently calamitous effect on ride quality unless the road surface is smooth as glass. This effect is exacerbated by the use of thin, lightweight racing bucket seats. More normal chairs are available but they won't hold your body so well under the considerable G-forces the Black Series is capable of generating.

Average Reader Rating

Slate It or Rate It

1 out of 5 2 out of 5 3 out of 5 4 out of 5 5 out of 5

4Car Navigation

Home

Search 4Car

Browse reviews

Research a Car

News & Features

Essential Tools

Games & Quizzes

Other Links