Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series

Amongst the car community, Mercedes-Benz is respected, AMG is celebrated, and AMG Black Series is feared. Tack onto that the fact the SLS is Mercedes-Benz’s halo car and you’ve really got something special. The 2014MY Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series is the most extreme version of the SLS. It’s basically a SLS GT3 racer for the road. It’s faster, lighter and more uncompromising than any road-going version of the SLS before.

AMG’s engineers have gone through considerable effort to reduce the car’s weight, managing to cut 70 kgs (154 lbs) off the standard SLS AMG’s weight. Numerous body elements, such as the hood, the rear panel behind the seats, the diagonal braces on the underbody and the driveshaft are formed from carbon fiber. A number of parts on the aluminium spaceframe have also been replaced by carbon fiber components. A lithium-ion battery which is used in place of the conventional starter battery saves a further 8 kgs (17.6 lbs).

The 6.3 litre V8 of the SLS AMG Black Series has been given a few extra goodies to raise power output – which now stands at 622 hp. Curiously however torque has been adversely affected – although only by a smidgen. But that hasn’t stopped the SLS AMG Black Series from sprinting to 62 mph (100 km/h)  in just 3.6 seconds, 0.2 seconds quicker than the standard SLS. The electronically limited top speed of 196 mph (317 km/h) remains identical.

Engine modifications to the SLS AMG Black Series include:

- Increase in maximum engine speed from 7200 to 8000 rpm
- Fully revised high-speed valve train with modified camshafts, adapted cam geometry and optimised bucket tappets featuring a special coating which is otherwise exclusive to racing vehicles
- Modification of the intake air ducting: derestriction and adaptation to the new maximum engine speed
- Adaptation of the engine application and increase in peak pressure

In addition the engineers optimised the crank assembly for better endurance under tough conditions. The SLS AMG Black Series’ engine is cradled within a special support system. A gas-filled strut braces the eight-cylinder engine on the body, effectively eliminating undesired load change reactions during performance driving – or hooning as it’s officially known.

To improve handling and lower the car’s center of gravity, the 7-speed dual clutch transmission is installed 10mm lower in the chassis. The dual clutch transmission features four driving modes (C, S, S+ and M). “Sport plus” and “Manual”. The transmission software allows for harder and faster shifts than in the standard car.

Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH said of the car. “The new SLS AMG Coupé Black Series is a perfect study in the one hundred percent transfer of technology and engineering from motorsport to the road. We have drawn inspiration from the worldwide success of the SLS AMG GT3 customer sport racing car on both a conceptual and a technological level. Boasting numerous lightweight components and fantastic driving dynamics, our fifth Black Series model guarantees pure, unadulterated ‘Driving Performance’. The SLS AMG Coupé Black Series is the ultimate choice for fast laps and highly emotional driving experiences”

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series will launch next year. Pricing is yet to be announced.