► Black Series returns with new GT
► 720bhp, 3.2sec to 62mph, 202mph top speed
► Takes the Nurburgring production car record
Black Series has returned. Mercedes-AMG’s most hardcore nameplate now has a home on the AMG GT, using race-spec technology to smash that track day.
AMG’s engineers have completely overhauled the GT, building an uncompromising halo car for the range. It costs from £335,000.
Nurburgring record for Black Series
Yep, it’s done it. With GT3 racer Maro Engel at the helm, the AMG GT Black Series recorded an officially notarised time of 6:43.616 around the Nordschleife without the T13 straight, and 6:48.047 for the full circuit.
That puts it as the number one fastest production car ever to lap the circuit, beating the previous record holder (the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ) by just over 1.3 seconds.
For the record, the front splitter was extended to the ‘race’ position, and the rear spoiler was adjusted to the middle setting. The adjustable coilovers were lowered by 5mm at the front and 3mm at the rear, the camber was adjusted to its maximum possible negative values, and the AMG traction control was set between positions six and seven.
All of these tweaks can be made to the car by a customer with no modifications needed.
Still has that great V8, right?
Yes, but with a crucial difference. The Black Series has a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 based on the one seen in the rest of the GT range (and, indeed, elsewhere in the AMG portfolio) with the M178 engine code, but has introduced a flat-plane crankshaft, aligning the V8 more to McLaren’s offerings than AMG.
That, along with new camshafts, exhaust manifolds and larger compressor wheels in the turbos mean this version of the engine – named M178 LS2 – is the most powerful V8 AMG has ever made. The Black Series is rated at outputting 720bhp and 590lb ft. Power is sent to the rears via a modified seven-speed dual-clutch auto, making the Black capable of a 3.2sec 0-62mph sprint and a top speed of 202mph. AMG claims the Black can reach 124mph in just nine seconds.
It looks, er, wild…
It does. First thoughts in the CAR office are that it was designed by a company that starts with ‘M’ and ends in ‘Ansory.’ But all of these wings and vents have meaning and take inspiration from the AMG GT3 and GT4 racers.
The carbonfibre bonnet has two exhaust air vents for superior airflow and the underfloor is almost completely clad for slick aero. It’s the rear wing that takes the biscuit, though; there’s an electronically activated central part that raises and lowers depending on your speed and drive mode via the AMG Dynamic Select system. Carbonfibre coilover suspension features, too, with electronic adaptive dampers – also controlled by the drive modes. The nine-setting traction control system, accessed via a yellow dial in the dashboard also features.
I want to go harder
Out for track day domination? AMG also offers a Track Pack for the Black Series, which adds a roll cage, four-point harnesses for both seats and a fire extinguisher.
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