Black Series is the name given to the highest tier of AMG products. AMG products themselves are already fast and performance-focused, but when given the Black Series treatment, things are dialled up to 11! Despite recent news that suggests the AMG GT coupe and cabriolet range will be ending by December 2021 to make way for the all-new Mercedes-Benz SL, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series has quietly snuck into SA with reports of the first units making their way to the new owners.
This is not your run-of-the-mill AMG GT that has been given a wing and a bit more power.Mercedes-Benz has endowed the motor with a flat-plane crankshaft, new camshafts and exhaust manifolds, a dry-sump configuration and revised firing order in addition to beefing up the twin-scroll turbochargers and intercoolers. As a result, the engine revs to 7200 rpm, and produces 537 kW from 6 700 to 6900 rpm and 800 Nm of torque from 2000 to 6000 rpm – which represent improvements of 107 kW and 100 Nm respectively on the Mercedes-AMG GT R(430 kW/700 Nm).
The M178 LS2 powerplant is mated with a 7-speed dual-clutch AMG Speedshift transmission, which Benz has recalibrated to deliver more intense shifts (as suited to a track environment), and the copious torque is directed to the rear 20-inch lightweight forged-alloy wheels via a 40% lighter carbon-fibre torque tube.
Mercedes-AMG says the GT Black Series can dispatch the 0-100 kph sprint in 3.2 seconds, hit 200 kph in less than 9 seconds, and go on to reach a top speed 325 kph. Its wheels are wrappedin Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres and, for improved stopping power, the newcomer featuresenlargeddrilled and vented carbon-ceramic discs with 6-piston black-painted calipers up front and 4-piston units at the rear. There’s a tricktraction control yellow dial mounted in the centre of the dash that offers 9 settings. Then there’s that look. It resembles one of the GT3 racecars, but these wings and splitters are functional and adjustable.
Mercedes-Benz SA has loaded the new AMG GT Black Series into its configurator and we get an idea of what’s on offer. Note that this is a Black Series, so personalisation options are minimal with the vehicles already coming to showrooms pretty loaded as far as standard specification goes. From the configurator, you can choose from an array of colours. Some are no-cost options, while the AMG Magmabeam orange costs R151 400. The matte-grey Designo Selenite Magno is R46 600 for example.
Standard spec includes the AMG Track Package comprising a titanium roll bar, 4-point seat belts. You also get theAMG Exterior Carbon package as standard, as well as Keyless Go,front camera,reversing camera,automatically dimming mirrors,electric folding exteriormirrors,AMG performance steering wheel in Dinamica microfibre,Blind Spot Assist, andLane Keeping Assist. Given the exclusivity of these Black Series products, there aren’t going to be many around. A source close to Cars.co.za reckons around 12 units are coming to South Africa.
An interesting option for R934k gets you the P One edition, complete with a special model badge, unique interior, AMG wheels with green pinstriping, and a very special two-tone paint finish.
The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series P One Edition
Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series R7524120
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