New Mercedes Benz SL63 AMG...

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Mercedes-Benz has followed up the unveiling of the SL63 AMG at the recent Geneva auto show with a series of official pictures of its plush but rapid new SL65 AMG.

The range topping SL model adopts the aluminium body shell and other weight saving measures of its lesser engined siblings in a move that has seen its kerb weight slashed by a considerable 170kg at a still-substantial 1950kg.

Under the bonnet of the luxurious new two seat roadster resides a mildly reworked version of the old SL65 AMG's potent twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 engine boasting changes to its inlet and exhaust systems. Peak power climbs from a previous 450kW to 463kW, endowing the plush new two seat roadster with a supercar like weight to power ratio of 4.2kg/kW. Torque remains limited to a sturdy 1000Nm - the maximum that can be handled by its new gearbox.

Altogether, this represents a 68kW and 200Nm increase over the new twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 powered SL63 AMG, or 48kW and 100Nm over the SL63 AMG running the optional Performance Package, which is not offered on the SL65 AMG.

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The revised engine drives the rear wheels via Mercedes-Benz's 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic gearbox with a raft of BlueEfficiency features including automatic stop start rather than the two decade old 5G-Tronic used by the old SL65 AMG.

As a result fuel economy has been boosted by 17 per cent or 2.4L/100km at a claimed 11.6L/100km; CO2 emissions are 270g/km.

Standing start performance is increased incrementally, with Mercedes-Benz's AMG division claiming a 0-100km/h time of 4.0 seconds - 0.2 seconds faster than the old SL65 AMG and 0.3 seconds inside the time quoted for the new SL63 AMG.

Top speed remains nominally limited to 250km/h, although prospective buyers can order a so-called driver's package, which lifts it to 300km/h.

The SL65 AMG is outwardly distinguished from the SL63 AMG by a uniquely styled front bumper boasting larger air ducts, added chrome highlights, "V12 BITURBO" badges on each of the front fenders, new sills underneath the doors and exclusive five-spoke 19-inch wheels.