Mercedes-AMG reveals GT Black Series, here 2021
MERCEDES-AMG has revealed and detailed its most powerful and focused production car to date in the form of the GT Black Series, a front engine, rear-wheel-drive ‘super sportscar’ designed to be the pinnacle of AMG performance.
The headline act of the latest Black Series is without doubt its twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine which, thanks to a new flat crankshaft, bigger intakes and intercoolers, new turbos and a myriad of other changes, produces 537kW of power and a monstrous 800Nm of torque.
What’s more, all of the 800Nm is available from 2000rpm right the way through to 6000rpm before peak power comes in between 6700-6900rpm.
There have been so many changes to the Black Series’ V8 compared to the standard GT and GT R’s engine that it actually carries its own unique engine code.
The result of all this grunt is a 0-100km/h sprint of just 3.2 seconds and a sub-nine-second dash to 200km/h before maxing out at 325km/h.
To deal with all this extra power, the familiar seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission has been beefed up and had its cooling system upgraded while the ratios themselves have been tweaked slightly to better suit the Black Series’ track focus.
Fittingly then, the Black Series comes with ceramic stoppers as standard with unique high-performance brake pads and cooling system.
Visually, the Black Series polarises onlookers with the whole arrangement dominated by the radical aerodynamic features lifted straight from the AMG GT GT3 racecar while the body panels and intakes have all been pumped up and enlarged – there is no way you could mistake this for any of the ‘lesser’ GTs, GT R Pro included.
The gaping front grille is also lifted from the GT3 car and not only feeds the engine, but also the wheelarch coolers, negating the secondary vents found on the other GT variants.
Below the grille is a two-way adjustable splitter – Street and Race positions – designed to increase downforce while also reducing drag.
The other major visual difference away from the aerodynamics is the new carbon-fibre slotted bonnet featuring a thin central scoop and two ‘exhaust air outlets’ designed to “guide the warm air, which is fed from the diagonally positioned cooling pack, out of the engine compartment”.
Viewed from the side, the silhouette is the familiar cab-back GT shape with the enormous GT3 wing being the only real deviation from the norm.
At the rear, the wing is once again the centre of attention, although this time it is rivalled for the limelight by the new carbon rear apron featuring an integrated diffuser and quad-exit exhaust tips.
To make the whole package as nimble as possible, engineers also rummaged through the GT3 and GT4 parts bins when upgrading the Black Series’ underpinnings, specifically the suspension and undercarriage with the Black Series boasting the widest front and rear tracks of the GT line-up.
Riding on a similar double-wishbone setup as the GT R, the Black Series scores the same spherical rear wishbone bearings as the racecars meaning that neither toe-in or wheel camber are affected during hard cornering.
On the topic of camber, both front and rear camber can be manually adjusted to suit whatever application is at hand.
Physical bump absorption comes courtesy of a tweaked version of the GT R’s adjustable coil-over setup which is then paired with the familiar AMG Ride Control adaptive damping system.
The front axle is fitted with a two-way adjustable, carbon-fibre torsion bar similar to that on the lesser GT R Pro while the rear features a hollow, three-way adjustable steel setup.
As with any modern AMG, the characteristics of the suspension and powertrain can be altered via the AMG Dynamic Select drive modes or Drive Unit with three suspension modes on offer – Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus.
Underneath the car is a motorsport-inspired panelled underbody which not only helps with aerodynamics, but heat dissipation as well.
To ensure the largely aluminium and carbon-fibre body is as stiff as possible, carbon shear panels have installed in the front, on the underbody and in the rear with the resulting stiffness further aiding agility.
To help the coupe cling on as long and possible and to make sure all 537kW/800Nm are put down to the tarmac, AMG has chosen to fit specially customised Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO tyres, measuring 285/35 ZR 19 up front and 335/30 ZR 20 at the rear.
As with the GT R, the standard traction control system sports nine different settings to help keep the rear tyres in check with the Black Series featuring its own unique tune for each one of the settings.
While undeniably track-focused, AMG has not neglected comfort in its new performance flagship with a Black Series exclusive orange-and-black colour scheme inside the cabin while the carbon AMG Performance bucket seats are finished in nappa leather and Dinamica microfibre upholstery.
Dinamica is also used for the door panels, AMG Performance steering wheel and instrument panel while the optional AMG Track Package adds four-point harnesses, a titanium roll cage and a fire extinguisher.
According to outgoing Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers, the GT Black Series is the “latest automotive highlight” from the performance brand and continues a tradition started in
2006 by the SLK55 Black.
“The sixth version of its kind is another AMG milestone and impressive proof of the incredible development expertise in Affalterbach,” he said.
“I am proud of the team who have created a unique super sportscar, which now represents the absolute peak of our successful GT family.
“The performance, looks and driving dynamics of the GT Black Series are second to none.”
While local pricing and specification levels are yet to be announced, Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific media relations and product communications manager Ryan Lewis confirmed to GoAuto that the GT Black Series would be headed Down Under with first deliveries expected early next year.
According to last month’s VFacts data, Mercedes-AMG has shifted 15 GTs so far this year, some 48 units down compared to the first six months of last year.
