At the front: a bigger grille equivalent to the GT3 race car, a manually-adjustable front diffuser with 2 positions– street and race– and, typically, more holes than a Richard Curtis screenplay. No official downforce numbers upcoming from AMG, only “substantially more than a GT R Pro”.
Oh yes, the scaffolding rig of a rear wing. A double-decker, where the angle of both “blades” can be tweaked manually, but also an electronically-controlled flap on the top part that can move around instantly or be managed by hand by means of a button on the centre console.
To be honest, we were expecting Liberty Walk-sized incorporated arch extensions (see exhibit A, the SL65 Black Series) that give these ultimate Mercs their monstrous, cartoonish quality. On close inspection there are larger arches here, but apologetic lip trims to accommodate the broader Pilot Sport Cup 2 Rs, not carbon-fibre decks at each corner. At least the remainder of the bodywork isnt holding back.
Fitted with a lighter, flat aircraft crank– tech usually associated with highly strung, high-revving Italian supercars and, er, Mustang GT 350Rs– its a sure-fire method to considerably modify the GTs big character, add some whipcrack to the tachometer and make it sound like Zeus splitting the sky in 2 after an especially punchy Jalfrezi. Thats 74lb and 143bhp ft more than the GT R Pro.
Fitted with a lighter, flat airplane crank– tech generally associated with highly put up, high-revving Italian supercars and, er, Mustang GT 350Rs– its a sure-fire method to drastically change the GTs big character, include some whipcrack to the tachometer and make it sound like Zeus splitting the sky in two after an especially punchy Jalfrezi. Hang on a minute, the AMG GT R Pro is already a bewinged, slashed, track-focused AMG GT so competent and total that it protected a podium finish in our 2019 performance cars and truck of the year jamboree. No authorities downforce numbers upcoming from AMG, just “considerably more than a GT R Pro”. For anybody with just a passing interest in cars, the AMG GT Black Series existence should be laughable. All real, but lets simply commemorate this mad, mad vehicle for what it is: Mercedes flexing its considerable engineering muscle, taking an automobile released six years earlier and surgically enhancing up until it ends up being the supreme expression of speed.
AMG mentions the look-a-likey 911 GT2 RS, McLaren 720S and Ferrari F8 Tributo as its closest rivals– all mid- or rear-engined cars and trucks, I helpfully point out. “Yes, but the approach of Mercedes-AMG is front mid-engine, with a transaxle gearbox in the case of the GT.
However hold on a minute, the AMG GT R Pro is currently a bewinged, slashed, track-focused AMG GT so competent and complete that it protected a podium surface in our 2019 performance automobile of the year jamboree. Isnt this simply a cover of the exact same tune? Yes. And no. They serve similar purposes, appeal to a similar audience, sure, however the Black Series is heavy metal to the Pros prog rock. Excess all locations, a Pro + 20 percent, as far as AMG can lawfully, and with a clear conscience, go. And at this rarefied end of the supercar market, thats currency.
Photography: Philipp Rupprecht.
This is the brand-new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, a car with a singular purpose: to push the limits of what a cars and truck using a number-plate can do. By hand extend the front splitter and youre disallowed from the public road … track-only for you, sunlight. Thats how great the line is.
Some numbers for you: leading speed is 202mph (4mph more than the GT R Pro, regardless of dragging a trestle table along behind it, the first Black Series to see the far side of 200mph), 0– 62mph in 3.2 seconds (0.4 faster than the Pro), 0-124mph in under 9s and a Nürburgring lap time still to come. Anyone betting against it whooping the Aventador SVJs 6 minutes 45secs? Not us.
Excess all areas, a Pro + 20 per cent, as far as AMG can lawfully, and with a peace of mind, go.
Lightweighting has actually likewise happened: theres thinner glass for the windscreen and rear window, carbon-fibre shell pail seats as basic, carbon bonnet, carbon wings, carbon tailgate and a stepped carbon roofing system. Carbon-ceramic brakes, too, and for the complete Bernd Schneider an optional track package includes a titanium roll bar, four-point harnesses and a fire extinguisher.
Simply a quick refresher then on AMGs a lot of hallowed badge, now on its sixth trip: “A Black Series is constantly a two-seater, always a hardtop,” Joerg Letzel, item manager at AMG discusses. “The GT R Pro was based upon the GT R, but youll see theres no R in GT Black Series, its a totally different model, it represents whats technically possible, the pinnacle of a car made for the racetrack, that can likewise be driven on public roads.”.
At each corner, like the Pro, competition-spec coilover suspension, but with electronic AMG ride control campers instead of the clicky, manually adjustable ones on the Pro. Front wheel camber and front and rear anti-roll bars are tweakable by hand, though, so youll a minimum of have the ability to look busy at your regional track day.
For anyone with only a passing interest in cars, the AMG GT Black Series existence must be absurd. If demolishing racetracks is your thing, purchase a race vehicle. A ₤ 30k hot-hatch will do a better task if you desire to enjoy yourself on a B-road. If youre just thinking about flagrantly displaying your wealth, there are other, less back-breaking ways to do it. All real, however lets just celebrate this mad, mad car for what it is: Mercedes bending its considerable engineering muscle, taking a cars and truck released six years back and surgically improving up until it becomes the supreme expression of speed. And anger.
AMG isnt putting a limit on production numbers for the Black Series, simply a limited period in which it will construct them, however its not cheap: ₤ 275,000 plus regional taxes, so ₤ 330,000 in the UK.
