Mercedes SLS Black Series (2012) spy shots

Published: 13 June 2012 Updated: 26 January 2015

We’re nothing if not honest at CAR. Turns out these spy shots we published of the SLC – the baby AMG supercar – are in fact of the SLS Black Series.

In keeping with the other Black Series cars, the maximum SLS is the hardest, fastest SLS of all. Expect to see it later in 2012.

Mercedes SLS Black Series: the detail

The SLS Black takes the regular SLS and its 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 and gives just about everything a thorough makeover. The lump now puts out more than 600bhp, CAR understands – up from the ‘regular’ SLS’s 563bhp.

The bodywork is massaged to allow a wider track front and rear, and other elements of the chassis are upgraded too. Our sources suggest uprated brakes and stickier tyres while carbonfibre will replace some body and interior trim panels to pare weight.

These spy photos suggest the SLS Black Series will have a more aggressive styling pack with Black-style front grille and detailing.

And what about the Mercedes SLC?

That project is still very much active. The SLC AMG is a front-engined two seater with V8 power, and it’ll take over from the current SLS AMG supercar when that car bows out in 2014.

Mercedes had toyed with the idea of a mid-engined platform, but will instead follow a template closer to that of the SLS. It fuses elements of Mercedes’ modular MSA architecture with the DNA of the current SLS, so like its bigger brother it combines an aluminium spaceframe with double-wishbone suspension, and a front-mid-engined layout for optimum weight distribution.

By Georg Kacher

European editor, secrets uncoverer, futurist, first man behind any wheel

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