2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG: Superlight and powerful

Last year Mercedes-Benz released details of its 2013 SL-class, a complete rebuild of its pricey roadster. At the New York International Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz drove a 12-cylinder AMG version onto center stage. This new model combines the new tech and lightweight construction with a tremendously powerful engine.

Mercedes-Benz will build a limited run of 45 SL65 AMG Anniversary Edition cars to celebrate 45 years of AMG. These cars will get a special paint job and other amenities. One design cue is the twin blade bar running across the grille, supporting the tri-star badge.

Standard equipment in the SL65 AMG 45th Anniversary edition includes the excellent Bang & Olufsen audio system, which uses areas in the car's own body as resonance chambers. Magic Sky Control, another standard feature, is a glass roof in the convertible top that changes opacity at the touch of a button.

AMG puts 19-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels at the front, and 20-inch versions of the same wheel at the rear, driven axle. The SL65 AMG also has an active suspension, which the driver can adjust between sport and comfort settings.

The car's 6-liter V-12 boasts two turbochargers to produce 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, enough to get the SL65 AMG to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, according to Mercedes-Benz.

The cabin comes fitted with Mercedes-Benz's new four blade air vents. Thick, ventilated leather and carbon-fiber trim contribute to the sport-luxury interior design.

A dial near the drive selector shows transmission settings for Comfort, Sport, Sport plus, and Manual. Paddles on the steering wheel allow manual gear selection. As with other AMG cars, the SL65 should come with the seven-speed Multi-Clutch Transmission.