Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series – The new beast of the green hell?

  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Die absolute Spitze der GT-Familie: Der neue Mercedes-AMG GT Black SeriesThe absolute pinnacle of the AMG GT family: The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series

When a new Black Series is announced, the world listens. The mythical black series with a sound that could awake the dead, and the legendary name has found its way to the peak of AMGs lineup. The GT. This is going to be a good one.

The car could be mistaken for a pure race car, with a quick google search for the AMG GT3 racing car showing an uncanny resemblance. This is no fluke, since the press release specifically says that a lot of tech has been taken directly from the GT’s racing counterpart. A whole section will be dedicated to the exterior and specifically the design changes that have been made to optimize the cars aerodynamics and heat management.  The front grille is now bigger to direct more air to the radiator. Not only is it functional, but the downwards sloping sides of the grille give the GT Black a sinister look. This look is accentuated by the restyled front bumper which is not as open at the sides as the one of the GTR. Instead, air curtains at the front bumper direct air towards the tires. Further, the front splitter is now the size of a tray table, and have two settings. Street and race. There is however one more element to this. With increased speed, the splitter is lowered. The smaller distance between the ground and splitter accelerates the air underneath the car even further, which in turn increases the downforce.

This is where stuff gets nerdy. The bonnet is all carbon fiber. Common stuff, but there are outlets to help extract heat from the engine, reduce drag and increase downforce. There are also slots above the front wheels to further increase downforce by reducing the pressure inside the wheel arches.

The rear features a new diffuser, two twin exhausts mounted at the sides instead of the middle, side wheel arch ventilation, and of course, a massive wing. The wing is made up of carbon fiber and contains two elements. One smaller mounted closer to the tailgate, and the classic wide upper part. Both have their own unique functions. However, the upper part have a movable flap which can be electronically adjusted, depending on which driving mode you are in, by up to 20 degrees, in order to optimize airflow. However, if you need to, both main elements are mechanically adjustable.

Not only has the body been heavily revised. The underside has seen some major work as well. It is almost completely flat, but also contains longitudinal fins to guide air towards the read diffuser. The whole underside works in unison with the rear spoiler.   

Focus has also been on reducing weight. The front and rear windscreen are now thinner, with the front being laminated. The roof, rear tailgate, bonnet, transmission mount, shear panels in the front section, underbody, rear and in the engine bay are made from carbon fiber which also increase the rigidity. Weight is 1540 kg.

The power plant is based upon the existing 4.0 L twin turbo V8, but, with the introduction of a flat plane crank, the engine has gotten a complete new engine code. New camshaft, exhaust manifold, larger intercoolers and turbochargers increase the peak power to 720 hp, and 800 Nm. Peak torque is available from 2000-6000 rpm. 0-100 km/h is reached in 3.2 s, which is not all that impressive, but the top speed is 325 km/h, and 0-200 km/h is done in 9 s. Together with this, the DCT 7 speed transmission has been recalibrated.

The car sits on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R´s which are basically race tires. Off course, the suspension components have been upgraded to the same level as the rest of the car. Depending on where you are in the world, you can also opt out the AMG track package which gets you a 4 point harness, titanium roll cage and a fire extinguisher. It is important to note that this package is only available with carbon fiber bucket seats. 

The price for all this? Just above 300 thousand euros, without tax. The closest competitor would be the Porsche GT2 RS, but the GT Black Series seems like more of a thoroughbred and destined to be the fastest around the Nordschleife.

You may also like...