Mercedes’ wild AMG cars aren’t known for subtlety, especially when it comes to engine notes or horsepower. It’s debatable whether the wildest of them all is the SLS AMG, or the track-ready CLK63 AMG Black Series.
At least until now. For 2014, AMG is combining those two cars and unleashing the SLS AMG Black Series upon the unsuspecting roads of the world. Pulling inspiration from the SLS AMG GT3 racer, the new car boasts a shocking power to weight ratio and a 3.5-second 0-to-60 time.
One might assume that there was nowhere to go when considering the SLS AMG, but the Black Series manages to dial it up to eleven anyway. The 6.3 liter V8 has been massaged with a higher redline, new valvetrain and cams, and an updated intake to boost horsepower to 622, an increase of 39 horses over the standard car. A gas-filled engine mount helps to cut down on load shifts that might upset the car’s balance at track speeds. A titanium dual exhaust saves weight, helping to keep the car’s curb weight to 3417 pounds–that’s an entire driver lighter than the SLS AMG. Additional weight was dropped with the use of carbon fiber body components, driveshaft and torque tube. A lightweight lithium-ion battery replaces the conventional battery.
AMG’s Speedshift DCT seven-speed dual-clutch transmission gets the power to the road, and a rear axle differential lock is standard. The front mid-engine layout is unique among exotic cars.
To cope with the additional power, the suspension has been upgraded with stiffer springs and electronic two-stage shocks. The track has been widened, and other tweaks have been made to reduce body roll and improve cornering stability. The AMG ten-spoke wheels are painted black, and the power steering’s been revised for the demands of high-speed driving. Ceramic brakes are standard.
In keeping with its racing heritage, the SLS AMG Black Series sports styling modifications inspired by the SLS AMG GT3. The fenders have been flared to cover the new wheels, while blackout trim and a carbon fiber front splitter make the look a bit more menacing. The hood is also carbon fiber and has a center air outlet to vent engine heat. Additional air outlets and aerodynamic carbon fiber flics improve the car’s cooling and stability at speed. The available adjustable rear wing improves downforce at the rear and includes a Gurney flap. Inside the SLS AMG Black Series features carbon fiber and Alcantara trim, a performance steering wheel and the option to delete the COMAND system in the name of weight savings.
The new SLS AMG Black Series goes on sale this December.
