By way of comparison, the Corvette ZR-1 weighs about 700lb (320kg) less than the SL65 AMG Black Series yet generates very close to the same amount of crank horsepower: 638hp (476kW) for the 'Vette, versus 651hp (485kW) for the Mercedes. Yet the Corvette only claims a 3.8-second 0-60mph time, despite wearing some of the biggest rear donuts available. The Nissan GTR, severely underpowered by comparison, but with the benefit of a 200lb (85kg) advantage and AWD, barely squeaks out a 3.9 second run to 60mph without the aid of traction control.
Even assuming the SL65 Black manages to pull off a GT-R like denial of the laws of physics on occasion, with the raw power on tap and far fewer interfering electronics, it will be a much more driver-dependent car.
Beyond the standing-start acceleration numbers, however, there's the matter of in-gear or rolling acceleration, which is a somewhat less traction-limited affair than propelling the hefty car from a dead stop. And that's where the SL65 Black will shine - exiting 80mph corners and rocketing toward the horizon, pushing through the speed-dense atmosphere with sheer brute force as it plunges toward its electronically limited 199mph (320km/h) top speed.
