[8/2/2020] The All New Mercedes Black Series AMG GT

"The most powerful AMG V8 series engine of all time, the most expressive design, the most elaborate aerodynamics, the most intelligent material mix, the most distinctive driving dynamics: for the new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series".

The new powerhouse from Mercedes was fully unveiled, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, and will be available from early next year, after which it should be dominating racetracks around the globe in short order. Pricing wasn't announced but expect a steep premium on the $200,645 you had to pay for last year's GT R Pro.

As the expected from the " most powerful AMG V8 series engine of all time", AMG quotes a peak output of 720 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, all available from just 2,000 rpm. The result is a car that will shoot to 60 mph from zero in just 3.1 seconds, to 124 mph in under 9.0 seconds, and to a top speed of 202 mph. You can also expect some crazy track times. The GT R Pro is already one of the fastest rear-wheel-drive production cars around the Nürburgring with a time of 7:04.63, and it only has 577 hp. The GT Black Series will likely see the 'Ring time slip under the 7:00 mark.

To help the GT Black Series stay glued to the track, the regular GT body has been almost completely redesigned with new aero elements. Up front, there's a large, manually adjustable splitter, along with dive planes to push air in an efficient—and intimidating—way. In back there's a tiered, two-stage wing to stick the muscular tail to the tarmac. A quad exhaust setup peeks out from an exceptional rear diffuser. If all of this sounds familiar, it's because a lot of it is pulled from the latest AMG GT3 race car.

Another direct derivative from motorsport is the new carbon-fibre bonnet, with two large exhaust air outlets made from black finished carbon surfaces. The large outlets guide the warm air, which is fed from the diagonally positioned cooling pack, out of the engine compartment. This technology is also directly derived from motorsport and increases the overall downforce. At the same time, the air resistance is reduced, and the air mass flow for cooling the engine is optimised. The air is also specifically guided around the A-pillars and side windows to the rear, where it increases the efficiency of the new rear aerofoil concept.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a new carbon fiber torque tube and an upgraded version of the GT's 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The transmission has been tweaked to handle the extra grunt from the GT Black Series' engine, and to deliver quicker shifts. Its cooling has also been improved for long days at the track.

The wheels are forged units measuring 19 inches up front and 20 inches at the rear, and they come wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires measuring 285/35 up front and a meaty 335/30 at the rear. A special “hard compound” version of this tire is also available for track days where ambient temperatures are on the warm side. Carbon-ceramic brakes are standard and the car's curb weight is 3,616 pounds.

Naturally, the suspension also plays a major role on the track. Modifications to the suspension include a widened track front and rear, new coil-overs with adjustable damping, increased camber (manually adjustable) and toe-in stability, and motorsport-inspired spherical bearings on the lower wishbones instead of traditional bushings. A carbon fiber sway bar was also added at the front axle, while a carbon fiber shear panel was added to the rear underbody to improve rigidity.

The interior design emphasises the pole position of the AMG GT Black Series: exclusive nappa leather is combined with sporty DINAMICA microfibre in black with orange contrasting top-stitching. The instrument panel and the newly designed lightweight door panels, which are now equipped with loop pull handles instead of conventional handles, are trimmed in black DINAMICA microfibre. Further orange contrasting topstitching, matt black carbon-fibre trim and the Interior Night Package add further striking highlights. The AMG carbon-fibre bucket seats (not available in the USA, Canada and China) combine low weight with optimum lateral support. In the USA, Canada and China, the Black Series is equipped with AMG Performance seats as standard. The interior is also optionally available with grey contrasting top-stitching.

• Kierstein, A. (2020, July 14). 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Revealed With 720-HP V-8. Retrieved August 02, 2020, from https://www.motortrend.com/news/2021-mercedes-amg-gt-black-series-first-look-photos-details-specs/

• Mercedes-Benz (2020, July 14). 2021 The New Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series. Retrieved August 02, 2020, from https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/vehicles/passenger-cars/amg-gt/mercedes-amg-gt-black-series/