It wasn’t that long ago when Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance division made faster vehicles primarily by using big, high-output V-8s. But in the 2000s, AMG starting using forced induction, which led to supercharged V-6s and V-8s, and even twin-turbo V-12s. Our Pick of the Day comes from that power-crazy time in AMG’s history. You can find this two-owner 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Norcross, Georgia. It comes with service and maintenance records. The video below shows an exterior walk-around.
In the mid-2000s, the R230 generation of the SL offered a wide array of performance options. The V8-powered SL 500 was the entry-level model. Its SL 600 sibling offered smooth twin-turbo V-12 power. AMG equipped the SL 55 with a supercharger that upped the 5.4-liter V-8’s figures to nearly 500 horsepower and more than 500 lb-ft of torque. The powermongers at AMG topped that by installing a larger, 6.0-liter version of the SL 600’s twin-turbo V-12 under the hood of the SL 65. Output was a staggering 604 horsepower and an Earth-spinning 738 lb-ft of torque, which a five-speed auto delivered to the (quickly overwhelmed) rear tires.
Car and Driver magazine clocked a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds and a quarter mile time of 11.9 seconds at 123 mph. As you’ve probably imagined already, those numbers made for an unforgettable driving experience. Our Andy Reid flew down the highway in an SL 65 at face-rippling speeds without even realizing how fast he was going. Another outlet’s 2024 review of the SL 65 pointed out its shocking acceleration — above 100.
Around that monstrous engine, AMG added an aggressive body kit, sport suspension, high-performance brakes, 19-inch multipiece wheels, paddle shifters, and more.
Despite the incredible power they offer, many SL 65s haven’t been driven a lot. Take this 51,644-mile ’06 you see here. Over the past 20 years, it picked up carbon fiber hood and trunk lid wrap, front-end paint protection film, and a set of 19-inch front and 20-inch rear R231 SL wheels. The interior features — massaging and heated and ventilated seats, Active Body Control, dual-zone climate control, fixed moonroof with retractable shade, and Bose audio — make surging past milder machines even more pleasant. Lowering the power-operated metal hardtop will heighten that feeling of flying down the road.
The current SL isn’t available with a V-12. Fortunately, you can buy this 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG for $65,900. If you have a heavy right foot, just be sure to leave some room in your budget for new rear tires.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
