New 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT
UPDATE: Apparently this is an innovative use of a single clutch combined with the 7G-Tronic automated transmission (replacing the torque converter for startups), and not a dual clutch transmission. The MCT (Multi-Clutch Technology) acronym refers to a planetary (automatic) transmission’s multiple clutches and bands for each gear.
Mercedes-AMG GmbH finally gets more cogs than their usual 5-speed automatic with their new Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG. The 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT (Multi-Clutch Technology) uses a clutch to swap gears and moves off with a wet start-up clutch instead of a torque converter.
The AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed gearbox has 4 drive modes - C (Comfort), S (Sport), S+ (Sport plus), and M (Manual). Throttle response and shifts in comfort mode are “softer”, while in S mode shifts are faster and the clutches bite quicker. Shifts are approximately 20% faster than in Comfort mode, and for a further 20% speed improvement you can use S+. Using M mode, a further 10% is cut down for a total of 50% over the C mode - shifts only take 100 milliseconds in the M mode.
Downshifts in S, S+ and M modes use precise double-declutching and can downshift multiple gears, straight from 7th down to 3rd for example. This gives the drive a more sporty feel as the engine and exhaust sound great during double declutching, and also serves to minimize load-change reactions during downshifts.
The gearbox also has a Race Start function. It’s basically a way to get off the starting line with maximum acceleration, and everything including optimum launch revs, the launch itself, and then subsequent shifts are taken care of you, all the way to top speed.
This gearbox is only available in the new SL 63 AMG in which it is mated to a 6.3 liter normally aspirated V8, producing 525 horsepower at 6,800rpm and 630Nm of torque at 5,200rpm. The engine revs up to 7,200rpm, one of the more higher revving V8s around until BMW’s new V8 in the E90/E92 BMW M3 was unveiled.
The SL 63 AMG’s high performance sibling is the force inducted SL 65 AMG powered by a 6.0 liter twin-turbocharged V12 putting out a colossal 1,000Nm of torque and 612 horsepower. This engine is only paired with the 5-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT, as I don’t think the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT or the Mercedes-Benz 7G-Tronic can take that huge amount of torque, and I don’t think many gears are needed with that amount of torque anyway. As it is the SL 65 AMG can go from 0 to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds.
More photos of the SL 63 AMG and SL 65 AMG after the jump.
February 11, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
very nice interior and exterior design. thumbs up to MB.
February 11, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
Where’s the SL 65……???
February 11, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
Darn nice when i can get one ??????
February 11, 2008 @ 2:40 pm
now every car company want to use DualClutch Transmission into their cars
February 11, 2008 @ 2:44 pm
The one with the black piece on the bumper lip is the SL 63, the one without is the SL 65.
February 11, 2008 @ 3:05 pm
no pics of the rear, but looking from the side, it’s got the same taillight to the old model is this this year’s F1 safety car?
February 11, 2008 @ 3:12 pm
With such huge power on tap, the owners would have to be specially trained to drive one. But again, anyone who could afford or wanted such cars is not just anybody.
Can’t help but think why manufacturers wants to build such huge power cars for the masses?
For the occassional traffic light sprints from one to another, and maybe one or two zig-zagging maneuvours along the highway, I think more than likely the car would not be able to perform out its maximum power, nor could it be able to utilise at least 90% of its full potential ponies most of the time.
Nevertheless, nice sport car thou.
February 11, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
VW is the trendsetter…
February 11, 2008 @ 5:16 pm
heard MB going to discontinue its 7G-Tronic but now AMG comes out a dual clutch transmissions… guess how many workshop(other than SC) in Bolehland can service a 7G-Tronic ?
February 11, 2008 @ 5:53 pm
no offense
why Merc, BMW have so many buttons on the dashboard? hm..
the exterior has a fierce look, but i prefer the old SL.
February 11, 2008 @ 8:41 pm
Ugly duckling swims down the stream,
kiss some chicks and made them hot.
When the boys discovered and chased him off,
Ugly duckling (SL 63 AMG) swam away!!!
February 11, 2008 @ 8:44 pm
europeans are away beyond everything…japan will quickly catch up,whilst we?? hmmppph…need 30 to 50 years more i think.
February 11, 2008 @ 9:24 pm
Why do they build cars like these? Simple, because they can, it may not be practical, but it surely drives the future forward. The SL looks awesome! And the drivetrain sounds very impressive…MB seems to be on a roll!!
February 11, 2008 @ 9:44 pm
they ruin my fav sl front end…ugly…btw…still a good car to own…gt 4 modes to shift in…with a solid and creamy amg screaming…taste good…btw…dis sl and r8…i definitely choose the r8…
February 12, 2008 @ 1:19 am
Very nice feature. Nice interior, except for the cross stitch chairs on board. Looks old.
February 12, 2008 @ 2:14 am
still not digging the new front-end design… but it does look better in AMG guise though