February 6, 2006

Affalterbach, Germany – DaimlerChrysler tuning house AMG has revised its SL 55 and SL65 performance roadsters for 2006, in terms of performance, handling and features.

Each now has AMG sports suspension based on second-generation active body control, more direct steering and new high-performance brakes.

The 5.5-litre, supercharged V8 supercharged engine of the SL 55 has been fitted with a new, higher-speed supercharger and a larger throttle valve, boosting its power output from 368 kW to a claimed 380 kW, while the peak torque has been increased from 700 to 720 Nm.

AMG says the new SL 55 accelerates from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds – 0.2sec quicker than the previous model - and goes on to reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

The driving force behind the SL 65 is AMG's six-litre twin-turbo V12 engine, developing a claimed 450 kW and 1000 Nm; AMG boasts it's the most powerful roadster in production with a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 4.2 seconds. Top speed is of course electronically limited to 250 km/h.

The roadsters have modified sports suspension with second-generation active body control, tuned to reduce body movements in hard-driving situations, without, it claims, impairing ride comfort. The speed-sensitive power steering has a more direct ratio and new valve control logic.

The front axle on each model has newly developed, large composite brake discs and six-piston aluminium fixed callipers.

The SL 65 has 30mm larger disc brakes all round and composite brakes at the rear as well – plus a multiple-disc limited-slip differential with a locking factor of up to 40 percent for optimal traction.

The bodywork has been discreetly updated; the front apron has a more pronounced wedge shape and the fog lights are ringed in chrome. The front apron of the SL 65 also has side air outlets for optimal flow through the auxiliary engine-oil cooler.

Each has a special AMG grille with black louvres and chrome highlights, new taillights with special AMG tinting, high-sheen, 18" multi-spoke alloy rims for the SL55 and a new exhaust system with two sets of chromed twin tailpipes on the SL 65

Carbon-fibre trim

The interior of the AMG roadsters is trimmed with carbon fibre and the ergonomically moulded steering wheel now has silver-coloured shift paddles.

AMG has also added a lap timer function to the main menu on the instrument cluster that allows the driver to record fastest lap time, average and top speeds, and lap length.

The new instrument binnacle is trimmed in nappa leather with double topstitching above the classic chronometer-style round gauges. The folding hard top takes only 16 seconds to open or close; a glass version can be specified as an optional extra.

The sports seats, interior door panels and armrests are upholstered in nappa leather.

The new SL-class will be shown in public for the first time at the Geneva show at the end of February; they will be released in South Africa in late April or early May.

DaimlerChrysler SA has, however, announced the prices for the AMG models as well as the previously announced SL500 and SL600 "standard" models:

· SL500: R1.141-million

· SL55 AMG: R1.475-million

· SL600: R1.56-million

· SL55 AMG: R1.785-million