Top Gear slams Mercedes SL 65 AMG Black Series

Calls it the 'most uncomfortable car in all of human history'

By Michael Gauthier
July 7, 2009 3:50 PM
Filed Under: German, Mercedes-Benz, Supercars

After endlessly praising the Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Series, you'd expect Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson to be completely enamored with the more powerful SL 65 AMG Black Series. You'd be wrong; in last weekend's episode, he thoroughly slammed it.

On paper the SL Black looks promising, it features a beefy 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12 engine with an impressive 670 hp (493 kW) and 1,000 Nm of torque. During a race with the pricey Mercedes-McLaren SLR, the SL lagged behind as it couldn't keep up in the straights but made up for it in the corners.

Just when you think the S L65 AMG Black Series is sounding pretty good, Clarkson decides to point out a few foibles. Despite being "mind boggling" fast with a top speed of 199 mph (320 km/h), Clarkson says the traction control "comes down like an anvil" and the only way you can realistically drive it, is slowly. Even the luxury features fail to improve things as Jezza explains the SL Black is the "most uncomfortable car in all of human history" thanks to one-piece carbon fiber seats from Mercedes' "agony" range.

He finally sums things up by saying the Black represents a decent alternative to the SLR, but it's not worth the price premium over the standard SL.

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Tags: Top Gear, SL 65 AMG Black Series, SL65 AMG Black Series, Black Series, AMG, Mercedes SL, Mercedes SL 65 AMG Black Series, Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series, Jeremy Clarkson

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Comments

Prince_Ash

July 7, 2009 3:55 PM

YES lol i saw this on sunday. its hillarious i honestly think that when he sits on the pile of rocks its more comfortable LOL!!!! he even says sitting on a toilet is more comfortable and goes faster. hillarious this is why ive been watching top gear since season 1.

X6M

July 7, 2009 4:10 PM

Well,well,well... Mercedes looks promising only on the paper,"big surprise", on the road it is hm, well not worth the price! After all, there's only one BMW M DIVISION and they will never kneel down. Jeremy never slamed M3 that's for sure.

blay

July 7, 2009 4:17 PM

actually, he has. It was the E46 model. I think he was comparing it to the S4 in Season 2.

scratchy996

July 7, 2009 4:25 PM

actually Clarkson sold his Gallardo Spyder to buy a CLK 63 Black Series.

MB made the SL Black intentionally slower than the SLR, it has no ceramic brakes, a 5 speed automatic and stupid electronics. they didn't want the SLR to have a direct competitor until it's production is over and the SLS comes out.

funny review though, the SL Black isn't worth that king of money even if it's a limited production model.

dnmacf

July 7, 2009 4:36 PM

He pointed out when driving the new M3 you'd have to be a sales rep (in other words a cock) who wears a hands free ear piece and Oakley sunglasses to buy the new one.

Windtalker01

July 7, 2009 9:49 PM

Yes, but he also said in the series 12 that those "wear a hands free ear piece and Oakley sunglasses" are buying Audis!!!

Bremen_Koenigsegg

July 8, 2009 6:40 AM

BMW's M Division will never kneel down? What do you call the X6 M, X6M, if not a compromise, a hideous dilution of the name? I saw one for the first time two weeks ago in the posh district of Toronto where you would expect it to blend in nicely. It didn't. I laughed out loud at how horrendous it is.

awhk

July 8, 2009 7:52 AM

The problem with BMW's M division is that they are starting to compromise to what the majority have wanted and the recent products have proof that they have lost their soul. M3 doesn't handle as good as before, X6M with turbo charger and automatic... The M division have stated before that they will never use turbo charger or automatic, but now... And combining wiht the disgusting trend of BMW styling, I think the M's are just going down...

Bristol411S3

July 7, 2009 4:16 PM

I've been watching it since Noel Edmonds and Angela Rippon were on it. Beat that!

scratchy996

July 7, 2009 4:26 PM

you win , sir.

HEMI426

July 7, 2009 4:46 PM

This car isn't fast for the power, an M5 can do 10 Km/h more with 163 hp less

3Iceman

July 7, 2009 5:35 PM

M5 is a BMW!!! Cars that could never compete with Mercedes Benz. And this M3, M5 'cars' look like they' re made out of plastic. Looks like you got it for free in your breakfast cereals.

Xanavi23

July 7, 2009 11:40 PM

The SL Black is ELECTRONICALLY limited as Clarkson himself says, take off the limiter which is easy to do and guaranteed the car will do easily 210mph...at the least. All that torque means the car will continue pulling strong even at those speeds.

3Iceman

July 7, 2009 5:31 PM

I watched it in the morning and I must admit I was a little supriesed. After CLK63 Black I thought this would be even better.

mikemikemike

July 7, 2009 6:35 PM

Who in their right mind would pay such a premium for a faster SL? None of the people who will buy them will truly race them, and have absolutely no need to go any faster then the SL55 will propel them. I have always thought this about expensive cars with expensive body kits and $40k turbos...

Narco

July 8, 2009 1:05 AM

....the same people who also have a bentley and maserati in their garage. When you have a certain amount of money, you can buy things at will, simply because they are cool and you look really good driving them. What a concept!

Fishes,

Narco.

Edited by user on July 8, 2009 at 1:07 AM

Geefiasco

July 7, 2009 6:49 PM

Horrible looking car. The bodykit looks like something a chav would buy off eBay to bond onto his Ford Fiesta.

The normal SL looks A LOT better.

Lutzie

July 11, 2009 9:55 AM

Au contraire! -I think it looks fantastic: it has a great stance and superb wheel to body relationship.

sensei

July 7, 2009 6:53 PM

Further proof that power is nothing without control.

X6M

July 7, 2009 8:49 PM

Mercedes would like to be an excellent sports car, but it is not. They're built for nice and easy driving with no stress, simply enjoying. BMW's are built for fast and brilliant driving, Jeremy Clarkson said it's just in their blood.

popilirol

July 7, 2009 9:19 PM

Mercedes-Benz as a company was never born to be a Motorsport car company. Notice how much Mercedes-Benz increases and supercharges its cars' engines to keep them on a par with BMW Motorsport and it fails... Black Series or Red Cucumber, Mercedes-Benz should just learn from BMW Motorsport how to build Motorsport cars.

Xanavi23

July 7, 2009 11:36 PM

Ya, sure chief, i guess AMG beating out 911 GT1s, McLaren F1 LM/GTRs in the FIA GT1/LMGTP championship at least one year means nothing. Learn something before you talk. Mercedes has always been about racing, they only stopped in the late 50s because one of their drivers died in a horrible freak accident that killed spectators as well, it should be noted that the SL race car that crashed in said race, was an extremely fast and competitive race car, its cars were on pole.

3Iceman

July 8, 2009 2:18 AM

Mercedes Benz builds cars for roads for avery driver and not cars like BMW, that can be fast but only if you are Lewis Hamilton. When it comes to real Motorsport than it's cler that MB always beats BMW. F1 is great example. Mercedes built what they think their customers need and will buy. They can easily beat BMW but MB costumers don't need car like that. It's as simpe as that.

Edited by user on July 8, 2009 at 8:48 AM

Schizo0223

July 8, 2009 12:33 PM

Christ! Do some research or get some knowledge before you start writing. Do you know anything about motorsports? My mechanic has worked on performance cars for over 20years and he says that if he were to buy a car it would be a Mercedes because they are so well engineered that the car you get out of the showroom isn't realizing its full potential. BMW's on the otherhand are maxed out and he wouldn't over tune it. You have to understand that people that buy MB are not the same type of people buying BMW's...and people that prefer AMG's are not the same type of people that buy M cars. If they want handling they would rather go out and buy a Porsche.

McNamara68

July 9, 2009 9:31 AM

Wow, where to start with that one. You just confirmed to everyone that you are under 20 years and know little about racing history. MB is arguably the most successful racing team in motorsport history. Don't forget names like Fangio, Moss, and Senna. I'm not going to detail all of it here, see any scholarly text on the subject. Also, as an aside, which marques engine has been tearing up F1 the last couple years? Here's a hint, it's not the boys from Munich.

kimbo

July 7, 2009 9:38 PM

Power is not everything.

CLK Black was great, this car is only mad.

McNamara68

July 9, 2009 9:46 AM

I agree bruv. The CLK 63 BS had balance, this is just over the top. That much torque is unmanageable, I don't know why they didn't rein it in a bit more.

GeeNee

July 7, 2009 10:01 PM

Why is everybody having a baby ova what he says!?! As far as we know, he thinks Micheal Jackson isn't dead, that he faked his death to end his pop career so that he can focus on driving because Micheal Jackson is actually THE STIG!!! There are many cars that he says are crap and he went to go buy him a Ford GT!!! Geez guys, Jeremy isn't Jesus!!

Get_real

July 7, 2009 10:48 PM

I'm with GeeNee

When will this ridiculous admiration of everything coming from this guy's mouth end? I didn't like this car but knowing Clarkson is slamming it, actually raises my appreciation of the big black Merc!

Edited by user on July 7, 2009 at 10:49 PM

ShinyG

July 7, 2009 10:51 PM

If Jeremy hates it, I'll have two please! That has been my creed since pretty much ever!

FastLane

July 7, 2009 11:10 PM

this car is a waste of money, with that price, you can get better looking cars!

norther

July 7, 2009 11:12 PM

clarkson forgot to mention one thing. the SL's 3 valve per cylinder engine.... this is the 21st century, right?

benz_man

July 7, 2009 11:24 PM

That 3-valver is still far more advanced than many DOHC designs supplied by that little island in the Pacific. READ!!!

Xanavi23

July 7, 2009 11:46 PM

I can forgive everything because like some others said, AMG/Benz didn't want this to be faster than theSLR. Also the transmission should be no surprise, even the SLR uses a 5 speed, for an obvious reason that MB stated a long time ago, the AMGs largely create wayyy too much torque for the 7Gtronic to handle, thats why even the SLR and SL65 Regular retain the 5 speed. The same applies here, Clarkson i like you, but you're getting duller, to say dumber.

What I don't like about this car as a Benz lover, is that it uses stock SL65 Suspension which i believe is the gas chamber type, thats good for cruising and luxury but a circuit car like this really needs more competent suspension. The seats might be uncomfortable but this isn't an average Benz; This is MADE for track use and track days, it doesn't matter whats come before it. This is a serious track car and once the SLRs have all been sold, this car needs to have Carbon brakes for one and A solid race type suspension along the lines of the adjustable units in the Viper SRT-10 ACR. They could work on the driving aids, TCS and what-not but i don't see it happening.

Eitherway, im a pretty broke fellow and i would buy this car in a heartbeat if i had the cash. You could build an SL65 into a faster straight line car, but it wouldn't be nearly as light and not nearly as all-around despite this cars problems.

MTC

July 8, 2009 12:13 PM

Clarkson said it's using (adjustable) steel springs instead of air matic suspension, and you know what, he's right about that.

Read some specs please, no offense.

Xanavi23

July 9, 2009 6:36 AM

Than he contradicts himself by saying clearly that it uses the factory old/same suspension as the SL65.

Xanavi23

July 7, 2009 11:50 PM

***Its also so uncomfortable in its suspension tune and chassis sway or lack thereof so that the car can handle complex corners and circuits in ways regular AMGs can't. Its made for the track and yet he faults it...this isn't really made for regular use although many drivers will drive it daily...come on Jeremy, you disappoint me old friend. Such ignorance is unbecoming of my man.

BTB505

July 8, 2009 2:14 AM

I love how you guys get so worked up !!! Its a bit like supporting your selected football team - no matter what you say, how much mud you throw, what statistic you bring up, who you quote, or who you offend - you will never ever get a chance to play with them!! You take the time to put down an MB in favour of a BMW, on what, the say so of an ageing TV dude!! Go read your specs, get weak at the knees over the fact that one car goes 200mph and another goes 205, you'll never do it!!! Get all hot and sweaty that one has 800nm and another is limited at 1000, its not like you'll ever experience the acceleration. Appreciate all these "mega" cars for what they are, bloody awesome vehicles, no matter what label is printed on them!!

Xanavi23

July 8, 2009 7:01 AM

Amen to that bub...as ive gotten older and less ignorant, ive come to appreciate all cars for what they're worth. Its okay to say which car does what better, we love our cars but to slam one over the other due to neglibible statistics, is a bit lame.

nendor

July 8, 2009 4:44 AM

AMG already built a fast engine for the pagani Zonda i don't know why they don't use it for other cars

Xanavi23

July 8, 2009 7:02 AM

Maybe they have a deal with Pagani never to use that specific Benz V12 in a road car...or MAYBE if us Benz lovers are lucky, we'll see the Pagani engine in the SLS...the SL65 BS and Zonda were tested together allover.

MadAboutCars

July 8, 2009 7:27 AM

AMG have placed the 555 v12 engine on several custom Mercs in the late 90s

BTB505

July 8, 2009 9:44 AM

Why?? Clearly they don't feel the need to get into the automotive flexing of muscles. They can build 'em fast if they want, but they don't! I used to sell motorcycles and everyone wanted the fastest one; more power, lighter, faster, better top speed - Most people don't have the skill/guts to use it all, the same with the cars. Why build an F1 for the road when they know some fool will kill someone with it!! Better to hold back a bit and not scare people away from ownership or governments into censorship!!

scratchy996

July 8, 2009 1:48 PM

actually they will stop using that engine, the next Zonda gets a supercharged V8, a modified version of the SLR engine.

most probably that V12 is too expensive and/or too big for the SL range.

Wickedated

July 9, 2009 5:41 AM

Thats because the engine is supplied by Mercedes but heavily tuned by Pagani.

wjaprep

July 8, 2009 6:59 AM

eh, its still pretty badass.

BTB505

July 8, 2009 9:48 AM

... I think people forget that it goes as hard as it does, looks and feels like a race car, but has normal car service intervals!! It is a BADASS car, and will be for many years after you mortgage the house to rebuild your Ferrari!!

pismeov

July 8, 2009 7:26 AM

the zonda's engine was originally used in the old r129 SL73 AMG. of course, since then, that engine has been updated and improved to make more power. but, i'd say THAT car was the original sl black series.

scratchy996

July 8, 2009 6:05 PM

true.

awhk

July 8, 2009 7:49 AM

Attractive car but way overpriced with crap ancient engine and gearbox just like the SLR.

Edited by user on July 8, 2009 at 7:52 AM

BTB505

July 8, 2009 9:45 AM

Sounds like the comments of a well educated expert!!!

TorroRosso

July 8, 2009 10:23 AM

Still think its a brilliant car.

DonnyG

July 8, 2009 12:12 PM

WCF - haven't you got anything better to do than take the word of a motoring programme presenter as gospel?? Smacks of stirring to me. I like Jeremy Clarkson a lot, he's a better driver and journo than most people believe, but remember this is a man with a well-known back problem! Of course he's going to slate a hardcore car like the Black Edition! I mean, for christ sake don't take this out of context, please!!!

Edited by user on July 8, 2009 at 12:14 PM

DeeKay

July 8, 2009 1:06 PM

But remember this is the same guy who bought the CLK Black Edition, witch he loved during review.... So it might be the car...

Get_real

July 8, 2009 1:58 PM

He's no journo, he's an entertainer. A journo should at least try to be objective! Calling him a journo with the way he dismisses certain cars or complete OE's based on ridiculous or meaningless things, is frankly a slap in the face of every real journo. Basically I don't put any importance on any judgment he gives about a car.

MTC

July 8, 2009 12:15 PM

The old SLK 55 AMG Black is a very uncomfortable car as well, why make such a fuzz, WCF?

popilirol

July 8, 2009 3:19 PM

For those who think Mercedes-Benz is superior than BMW in Motorsport and specifically in engines, then why don't you please prove to me that what you say is true?

And one more thing. Please DO NOT post opinions because everyone has and no one cares. What we care about in this debate is FACTS, right?

(Hint: use board of international engines' awards).

I'm sure most of you won't even return back to reply, at least to my topic lol.

scratchy996

July 8, 2009 6:09 PM

AMG 63 : performance engine of the year in 2009.

i'm not a MB or BMW fan, they are both good.

BTB505

July 9, 2009 4:13 AM

NO, no ... you are right ... BMW is the best in the world!! Better cars then any Porsche, Lambo, Austin, Bugatti, Ferrari - They have all the awards, go the fastest, sell for cheaper, have piss poor resale value, just as expensive to maintain - sorry got off track I was meant to be praising them!! Yeah yeah, all you BMW clones have jumped on to the right team. The rest of us who appreciate individual cars as individuals, not try and make direct comparisons (i.e. a lamp chop and a pork chop are both a chop, but should they be played off against each other??? Whats best is what you like)

I don't mind replying to your post! The AMG, believe it or not, is not a BMW. It never tried to be!!! It is an exclusive vehicle, one that many people will aspire to. I don't think it matters if its fast enough for you, if you like the shape, the power or the ride - in fact it doesn't even matter what Clkarkson had to say about it, I would imagine neither of you will buy one. Don't waste time and space trying to convince everyone that it is not as good as your beloved BMW because to the people that will buy one, your opinion means stuff all!! Have you ever driven a NEW AMG?? I have, and they are so much more then just numbers on a page. They are something exclusive that most of you will never ever have access to. Some people look at these vehicles (no matter what brand) and dream of owning them, those who can't afford them will either continue dreaming or make a point of trying to put them down, in some way justifying the fact they don't/won't have one, even if they could have one!! YOu are fighting a loosing battle, all the specs in the world wont take the shine off this beautiful piece of machinery...!!!

You would probably try and find fault in blonde girls because you think brunettes are better!!

McNamara68

July 9, 2009 9:43 AM

Go and read "Racing with Mercedes" by John Fitch, he makes a compelling case that Mercedes is the best racing team in history. But being born in the 80s or 90s, that may be hard for you to believe. Here's an interview he did with Jay Leno:

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/video_player.shtml?vid=894722

Oh and when asking others to supply evidence to warrant their claim, it might be a good idea to do the same yourself.

To say that MB has no racing chops is to display a serious lack of knowledge about motorsport. It's one of the most successful marques ever. I fear that in 20 years kids are going to be saying that MJ or Gretzky really weren't that great.

popilirol

July 8, 2009 3:38 PM

Now in a separate topic-window, I want to post my opinion about all Mercedes-Benz Black Series.

Well there's not too much to say except that it's clearly seen that Mercedes-Benz is selling the rich people nothing but an advertisement "Black Series" that it created on a standard car to impress and make them feel they come from outer space.

And thus I believe this is called earning easy-money from the rich people.

scratchy996

July 8, 2009 6:10 PM

if it's so easy , why don't you try it ?

Schizo0223

July 8, 2009 9:09 PM

E46 M3 CLS??????

popilirol

July 8, 2009 7:05 PM

Scratchy996, the Mercedes-Benz only won this category this year. Look at the total number of engines' awards won by BMW over the years and compare it with Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Chevrolet (Corvette), etc...

To facilitate things on you, BMW has won half of all engines' awards until now. The other half is shared between all other car manufacturers. This is a solid proof of which company is the best of the best!

alejandromad

July 8, 2009 8:49 PM

How many of those engines still running?

Schizo0223

July 8, 2009 9:08 PM

To add to the point alejandromad makes I owned an E46 325i and I had to overhaul the engine after 90k. It was my family car so it was not ragged on or driven like I stole it. It was a pleasure to drive but I sold it because I got sick of the repair bills. It was replaced with an E-Class and with 80km it was in the shop only once for a leaking transmission gasket. BMW makes great cars and engines (I'm a MB fan but I admire BMW's and have often said that you need to buy an AMG car to get that BMW feel) and the motor press loves them...but they only drive the sh!t out of them...they don't have to live with it and pay the consequences of maintaining them

BTB505

July 9, 2009 4:19 AM

Give me a ... B .. .. Give me an ... M .. .. Give me a ... W .. .. Now call a tow truck!!!!!

Most manufacturers "buy" their awards ... ever noticed that the car most seen in the carpark of a given car magazine is the same one that gets the awards!!!

McNamara68

July 9, 2009 9:34 AM

I love how BMW fan boys always come home from middle school, log on to the internet and rag on MB and Audi. Get a life. If you think the styling is boring, then don't dignify it by commenting on it. Learn to appreciate all automobiles for what they are instead of clinging to your blind pseudo-nationalistic loyalties.

popilirol

July 9, 2009 2:51 PM

Schizo, I had a friend who had a Mercedes-Benz C36 AMG. He also overhauled the engine after 100k so that doesn't mean the car isn't good. To each car its own + and -.

BTB505, you're free to think whatever you like... no one will force you to believe the truth.

BTB505

July 10, 2009 1:47 AM

Truth: Clearly you don't!!!

Lutzie

July 11, 2009 9:47 AM

Clarkson is full of sh*t as usual. He only makes these inflammatory statements to keep his show popular. Is it true that he owns the rights to 'Top Gear'?

e36mmm

July 12, 2009 9:52 PM

its funny how all the merc fans that got disappointed with the review are talking about the M division. :) envious a little perhaps?

e36mmm

July 12, 2009 9:57 PM

clarkson has never teased bmw this bad. the only things he said bad about the e46 m3 was that you looked like a cock if you drove one and last thing he said about the e92 m3 was that you would look like a cock if you dont buy one. thats still awful lot better than this preview :D

red33m

July 28, 2009 2:48 PM

Well actually the sl65 amg was built for track use only.so it is pretty obvious that it will be as comfortable as sitting on a pile of rocks...and that explains the pure turning angle too...

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