16.05.2009
A few days ago, on a beach not that far away… DR gathered the SL65 Black Series, GT2 and 599 for an epic and unforgettable battle. The Force was in full effect, as Chris Harris explains.
If you missed our live broadcast on Twitter, then you can click on the previous link and view many of the behind-the-scenes images from the test.
Filming the cars on the beach was more down to opportunism than pre-planning, but we think the end result is stunning and we’ll make these images available to buy on DR Prints.
Now read the feature magazine and then let us know your thoughts.
Click the image below
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26 Comments
DriversRepublic (The DR Team)
May 16, 2009Posted on DR: New Feature: SL65 AMG Black v 599 GTB v 997 GT2 http://bit.ly/ZbFso
DriversRepublic (The DR Team)
May 16, 2009Posted on DR: New Feature: SL65 AMG Black v 599 GTB v 997 GT2 http://bit.ly/ZbFso
Guy
May 16, 2009Fabulous read Mr. Harris.
That under to over video is perfect.
Have you any plans to test the Wimmer package on the GT2? Would love to hear your comments.
Just wondering if we are to expect more video of these three? I’m hoping for more.
While I think with your piece acceleration tests would have taken you in a direction you weren’t planned heading, I would however love to hear some numbers if you did take them.
Guy
May 16, 2009Fabulous read Mr. Harris.
That under to over video is perfect.
Have you any plans to test the Wimmer package on the GT2? Would love to hear your comments.
Just wondering if we are to expect more video of these three? I’m hoping for more.
While I think with your piece acceleration tests would have taken you in a direction you weren’t planned heading, I would however love to hear some numbers if you did take them.
gercograndia (Gerco Grandia)
May 16, 2009Altijd leuk! RT @DriversRepublic: Posted on DR: New Feature: SL65 AMG Black v 599 GTB v 997 GT2 http://bit.ly/ZbFso
gercograndia (Gerco Grandia)
May 16, 2009Altijd leuk! RT @DriversRepublic: Posted on DR: New Feature: SL65 AMG Black v 599 GTB v 997 GT2 http://bit.ly/ZbFso
Marty
May 16, 2009Superb read, Chris, and sweet video snippets are great too. I also must highlight once again the amazing photography and layout work – top work from your photographer and designer. Those full-page photo spreads are something you get rarely in print mags but every DR feature has at least three, and they really let the cars shine.
As for the cars themselves, I think I’m in the minority that aren’t so keen on the SL65 Black. It sounds brilliant, doubtless goes like stink, but it’s just that bit too cartoonishly over-proportioned for me. If I were in the market for a brawny Merc I’d go for the slightly less preposterous but still pretty steriodal SL63 AMG. After all, if it’s good enough for Bernd Mayländer…
Marty
May 16, 2009Superb read, Chris, and sweet video snippets are great too. I also must highlight once again the amazing photography and layout work – top work from your photographer and designer. Those full-page photo spreads are something you get rarely in print mags but every DR feature has at least three, and they really let the cars shine.
As for the cars themselves, I think I’m in the minority that aren’t so keen on the SL65 Black. It sounds brilliant, doubtless goes like stink, but it’s just that bit too cartoonishly over-proportioned for me. If I were in the market for a brawny Merc I’d go for the slightly less preposterous but still pretty steriodal SL63 AMG. After all, if it’s good enough for Bernd Mayländer…
JethroBovingdon
May 17, 2009Full video to follow. Afraid we didn’t get the chance to get any figures due to time constraints. Let’s just say they’re all just about fast enough! Unless you happen to drive a Veyron on a daily basis…
JethroBovingdon
May 17, 2009Full video to follow. Afraid we didn’t get the chance to get any figures due to time constraints. Let’s just say they’re all just about fast enough! Unless you happen to drive a Veyron on a daily basis…
chris harris
May 17, 2009I keep looking at that shot of the GT2 doing a wheelie. I love it. It’s a wonderful example of how a really stunning still image can speak louder than video. Every time you give the GT2 death in second gear, your brain tells you the front wheels must come off the ground -it feels that mental.
Then again, the rear slow-mo of the 599 -that’s an example of vid at its best. Fair play to Dave Litchfield and his absurdly heavy Red camera.
chris harris
May 17, 2009I keep looking at that shot of the GT2 doing a wheelie. I love it. It’s a wonderful example of how a really stunning still image can speak louder than video. Every time you give the GT2 death in second gear, your brain tells you the front wheels must come off the ground -it feels that mental.
Then again, the rear slow-mo of the 599 -that’s an example of vid at its best. Fair play to Dave Litchfield and his absurdly heavy Red camera.
Jack Wood
May 17, 2009Chris, is that the video camera you were talking about at the 370z launch with Kenny? Very nice footage.
By the way, was the 599 owner on the southbound M6 on Sat 16th around 9:30-10:00 am? Managed to get in a convoy with a 996tt, GT-R and 599……………
Jack Wood
May 17, 2009Chris, is that the video camera you were talking about at the 370z launch with Kenny? Very nice footage.
By the way, was the 599 owner on the southbound M6 on Sat 16th around 9:30-10:00 am? Managed to get in a convoy with a 996tt, GT-R and 599……………
Jem Thompson
May 18, 2009That shot of the GT2 on two wheels had me blown away, a wonderful peice of photography, I hope it becomes available as a print.
Jem Thompson
May 18, 2009That shot of the GT2 on two wheels had me blown away, a wonderful peice of photography, I hope it becomes available as a print.
daytonafan
May 18, 2009Marty I must be in the same minority as you with the SL65.
daytonafan
May 18, 2009Marty I must be in the same minority as you with the SL65.
Marty
May 19, 2009@Daytonafan Ours is a slightly more subtle minority
I second the request for a print of the GT2 achieving lift-off.
Marty
May 19, 2009@Daytonafan Ours is a slightly more subtle minority
I second the request for a print of the GT2 achieving lift-off.
chris harris
May 19, 2009In the contest between DR readers and the Ferrari press office in Italy to see who is the more observant, I can now proclaim the winner is……..the Ferrari press office.
How so?
Those eagle-eyed Italians spotted what I would love to pass-off as a deliberate error, but which was just a plain mistake by yours truly.
Talking about the 599′s traction, I said ‘traction is very good considering all the weight is over the front axle’, which doesn’t look too clever next to the comprehensive presentation Ferrari Italy has just sent me explaining how the 599′s weight distribution is in fact 47% front 53% rear. If I was the engineer responsible for achieving those figures with a whopping great V12 ahead of the driver’s feet, I’d be fairly irritated if an idiot journalist casually ignored the facts. Big apologies chaps.
What I meant to say was that the 599 does a pretty amazing job of dealing with 620bhp given that it doesn’t have the inherent traction advantage enjoyed by the 911.
I am now hoping that Ferrari GB will lend me the 599 for another 3 weeks so that I can fully understand the benefits of its front-mid-engined layout, and learn not to make such mistakes in the future.
chris harris
May 19, 2009In the contest between DR readers and the Ferrari press office in Italy to see who is the more observant, I can now proclaim the winner is……..the Ferrari press office.
How so?
Those eagle-eyed Italians spotted what I would love to pass-off as a deliberate error, but which was just a plain mistake by yours truly.
Talking about the 599′s traction, I said ‘traction is very good considering all the weight is over the front axle’, which doesn’t look too clever next to the comprehensive presentation Ferrari Italy has just sent me explaining how the 599′s weight distribution is in fact 47% front 53% rear. If I was the engineer responsible for achieving those figures with a whopping great V12 ahead of the driver’s feet, I’d be fairly irritated if an idiot journalist casually ignored the facts. Big apologies chaps.
What I meant to say was that the 599 does a pretty amazing job of dealing with 620bhp given that it doesn’t have the inherent traction advantage enjoyed by the 911.
I am now hoping that Ferrari GB will lend me the 599 for another 3 weeks so that I can fully understand the benefits of its front-mid-engined layout, and learn not to make such mistakes in the future.
Guy
May 19, 2009“I am now hoping that Ferrari GB will lend me the 599 for another 3 weeks so that I can fully understand the benefits of its front-mid-engined layout, and learn not to make such mistakes in the future. ”
f-ing brilliant.
——
Maybe you consciously or erroneously missed my comment, but I am curious as to whether or not you have any plans to get your hands on a wimmer specced gt2. I read about it that once brilliant evo magazine and I’m curious to hear your thoughts as to whether the gt2 is a better car from the mods. I think they said it was something like 670hp, sure sounds like fun.
Guy
May 19, 2009“I am now hoping that Ferrari GB will lend me the 599 for another 3 weeks so that I can fully understand the benefits of its front-mid-engined layout, and learn not to make such mistakes in the future. ”
f-ing brilliant.
——
Maybe you consciously or erroneously missed my comment, but I am curious as to whether or not you have any plans to get your hands on a wimmer specced gt2. I read about it that once brilliant evo magazine and I’m curious to hear your thoughts as to whether the gt2 is a better car from the mods. I think they said it was something like 670hp, sure sounds like fun.
chris harris
May 19, 2009I can’t even begin to countenance a 670bhp GT2; the standard car feels unhinged as it is. I’ll give Wimmer a bell to see if we can have a go in their new weapon, but (and I don’t want to come across as an old git here ) I’d be much more interested in trying a GT2 that had the same power, but weighed 150kg less. Now that would be something.
chris harris
May 19, 2009I can’t even begin to countenance a 670bhp GT2; the standard car feels unhinged as it is. I’ll give Wimmer a bell to see if we can have a go in their new weapon, but (and I don’t want to come across as an old git here ) I’d be much more interested in trying a GT2 that had the same power, but weighed 150kg less. Now that would be something.