2012 Mercedes SL65 AMG: V12s Aren't Dead Yet

Global warming. Hardly any oil left. Two reasons why V12s shouldn't exist. Not good news for car lovers like us who love the monsters but AMG have fiddled with the twin-turbo V12 in the latest SL65 and it not only promises to be powerful than the last version but it promises to keep the environmental campaigners reasonably quiet too!

The 6.0-litre V12 'biturbo' produces 621bhp and 737lb-ft of torque. This new SL is lighter than the old car as well with a kerb weight of 1950kg thanks to an all-new aluminium body and carbon fibre materials smattered round the car. Those changes mean a 0-62mph time of just 4 seconds whilst the top speed is still limited to 155mph. It has faster acceleration than both the SLK55 and the SL63 and is 0.2 seconds slower to 62mph than the SLS Roadster. Like the SLS, the SL65 now has AMG's 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox. Very solid figures from a car so adept to everyday driving.

So what might appeal to the environmentally conscious sort of fellow? Well this SL has start/stop technology and the better gearbox plus the lighter structure reduces fuel consumption by 17% over the old 65 meaning you'll get up to 24.4mpg, according to Mercedes-Benz. Nowhere near as good as something like a Vauxhall Ampera, obviously, but for a V12 that's impressive. The V12 in the Lamborghini Aventador only returns 13.5mpg if you're careful and the V12 in an Aston Vantage returns 17mpg. The 65's CO2 figure is down to 270g/km too.

No official prices have been announced yet but expect them to be in the £150,000 region making it £30,000 cheaper than the SLS roadster. That also makes it nearly £100,000 more expensive than the smaller SLK55 AMG but that takes 0.6 seconds longer to 62mph and the SL's interior looks more luxurious indeed.