Key Points: 1 of 350 SL65 Black Series Worldwide, RHD Example, Tenorite Grey Metallic Exterior Paint, Gloss Carbon Fibre Interior Trim.

Introduced at the 2008 Monterey Car Week, the Black Series is a high-performance variant of the SL65 AMG, limited to just 350 units. It is powered by the same 6.0-litre V12 as the standard car, albeit with 12% larger turbochargers, a bigger intercooler, improved wastegate ducts, a revised exhaust and a remapped ECU, increasing the power output by 57hp to a healthy total of 661hp.

Power is delivered through AMG’s Speedshift Plus five-speed automatic gearbox, which features ‘C’, ‘S’, ‘M1’ and ‘M2’ settings. In ‘M2’ mode, gearshifts are reportedly 25% quicker than in ‘M1’.

AMG reduced the car’s weight by 250kg through increased use of carbon fibre composite (CFRP) panels and replacement of the folding hard-top roof with a fixed unit. With an improved power-to-weight ratio, the Black Series can accelerate from 0-60mph in just 3.8 seconds, before hitting an electronically restricted top speed of 199mph.

The Black Series chassis was heavily modified, featuring quicker steering, a wider track, and fully adjustable KW coilover suspension. The car also has a retractable rear wing, a new rear diffuser, and a set of staggered 19-inch front and 20-inch rear AMG light alloy wheels, framing 390mm front discs with six-piston callipers, and 360mm rear discs with four-piston callipers.