The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is not just a car; it’s a statement. It’s the culmination of decades of motorsport engineering, poured into a road-legal machine that redefines the limits of performance. Affalterbach’s engineers have truly outdone themselves, crafting a vehicle that doesn’t just meet expectations, it obliterates them. This new super sports car is a visceral embodiment of AMG’s racing heritage and their unparalleled expertise in creating complete vehicles that dominate in every conceivable metric. The result? A breathtaking 720 horsepower monster, unleashed from a Handcrafted AMG V8 engine boasting a flat-plane crankshaft, sculpted with active aerodynamics, and styled with a DNA that’s directly descended from the formidable AMG GT3 racing car.
Since 2006, the Black Series designation at Mercedes-AMG has signified something truly exceptional: cars that are unapologetically sporty, aggressively designed, and infused with the most direct technology transfer from the racetrack to the production line. Black Series models are not mass-produced; they are exclusive automotive masterpieces, destined not for static display, but for conquering apexes and pushing boundaries on the world’s most demanding circuits, all while retaining the privilege of road legality. The AMG GT Black Series emerges as the new zenith of this lineage, proudly housing the most potent Mercedes-AMG V8 series engine ever conceived.
To elevate the super sports car to uncharted territories, the engine virtuosos at Affalterbach embarked on another intensive redevelopment of the already acclaimed 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine. Despite its existing reputation for exceptional responsiveness, power delivery, and formidable torque, the mandate was clear: surpass the performance of the AMG GT family’s previous flagship model with a surge of power, sharpen throttle response to a razor’s edge, and maximize torque output. This ambition necessitated a fundamental shift – the introduction of a revolutionary flat-plane crankshaft.
Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board at Mercedes-AMG GmbH at the time of its release, stated, “The new GT Black Series is our latest automotive pinnacle, continuing a legacy that began in 2006. This sixth iteration is another AMG landmark, a testament to the extraordinary engineering prowess within Affalterbach. I commend the team for creating this unparalleled super sports car, which now sits unchallenged at the summit of our GT lineage. The performance, aesthetics, and driving dynamics of the GT Black Series are simply unrivaled. This project marked a spectacular conclusion to my tenure at AMG, for which I am deeply grateful.”
The Heart of the Beast: A Distinctive V8 Engine Design
The architecture of a V8 engine presents engineers with a critical design variable: the crankshaft configuration. This element profoundly dictates the engine’s character. V8 engines typically employ one of two crankshaft designs: the ‘cross-plane’, where the crankpins of cylinder pairs are positioned at 90-degree intervals – a configuration AMG has traditionally used in its V8 engines – or the ‘flat-plane crankshaft’, where all crankpins reside on a single plane, offset by 180 degrees.
A frontal view of a cross-plane crankshaft reveals the ‘cross’ that lends it its name. These crankshafts are celebrated for their exceptional smoothness and robust torque at lower engine speeds. The signature rumble is another defining characteristic of the cross-plane V8. To optimize displacement utilization and performance potential in the 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine, AMG engineers strategically positioned the exhaust side within the ‘hot inside V’ of the V8 engine’s cylinder banks.
Unleashing Power with Uniformly Oscillating Gas Columns
The flat-plane crankshaft is instrumental in further amplifying performance. In a flat-plane V8 engine, the configuration resembles an inline four-cylinder engine, differing primarily in the wider crankpins, each accommodating two connecting rods in the V8 setup. Ignition in a flat-plane V8 sequences between cylinder banks, refining the gas cycle. The distinctive firing order, characterized by a 180-degree crankshaft angle offset (1-8-2-7 4-5-3-6), generates uniformly oscillating gas columns in both the exhaust and intake tracts. This resonance is effectively harnessed to boost performance. A key advantage of this design is the significantly enhanced throttle response.
The Most Powerful V8 Engine from Mercedes-AMG
While the engine in the new GT Black Series is rooted in the AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo with dry sump lubrication, extensive modifications have earned it a new internal designation: M178 LS2. This powerhouse churns out 720 hp within the 6,700-6,900 rpm range and delivers a peak torque of 590 lb-ft between 2,000-6,000 rpm. Camshafts and exhaust manifolds are redesigned to align with the new firing order, further optimizing the gas cycle.
Mirroring the top-tier AMG GT Coupe four-door, both twin-scroll exhaust turbochargers are mounted on anti-friction bearings, further sharpening throttle response. However, the GT Black Series turbochargers feature a larger compressor wheel, enabling them to deliver a combined boost pressure of 24.6 psi, a significant increase from the AMG GT R’s 19.6 psi. The engine’s redline is set at 7,200 rpm, safely beyond the 7,000 rpm mark for sustained operation. Larger intercoolers ensure optimal charge-air temperatures are maintained. The uniqueness of this engine is visually underscored by a distinctive black engine badge.
Blistering Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 3.1 Seconds
The new Handcrafted AMG engine imbues the GT Black Series with a truly unique persona, not only in its power delivery but also in its unmistakable auditory signature. This engine unlocks astonishing performance metrics: the Black Series catapults from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.1 seconds and reaches 124 mph (200 km/h) in under nine seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 202 mph, a figure best explored on controlled racetrack environments.
Enhanced Transmission and Drivetrain
The formidable power is channeled to the rear wheels via the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Positioned on the rear axle in a transaxle configuration for optimal weight distribution – a hallmark of all AMG GT two-door models – this transmission has been specifically recalibrated for the AMG GT Black Series to manage the increased torque output of 590 lb-ft. The boundaries of shift performance and responsiveness have been pushed further, aligning perfectly with racetrack demands.
This comprehensive refinement yields a driving experience characterized by heightened agility in accelerator and engine response, along with optimized drive programs, start-up behavior, and gear shifts. The Race Start function is now even more electrifying, featuring elevated starting revs, more sensitive wheel slip management, and high-performance tires tailored for the racetrack. Transmission cooling has been upgraded to meet more strenuous demands, and transmission ratios have been subtly adjusted.
Connecting the engine and transmission is the ‘torque tube’, crafted from carbon fiber. Weighing a mere 30.6 lbs, it’s approximately 40 percent lighter than the already weight-optimized aluminum counterpart in the standard AMG GT. As a structural component of the transaxle drivetrain, it establishes an exceptionally torsionally rigid link between the engine and transmission. This direct drivetrain connection enhances driving dynamics and contributes to the vehicle’s balanced weight distribution. The driveshaft within is also constructed from lightweight carbon fiber.
Aerodynamic Mastery: Design from the Racetrack
Sophisticated and meticulously optimized aerodynamics play a pivotal role in achieving both agile driving dynamics and unwavering stability at high speeds on demanding circuits. In a collaborative effort, aerodynamics experts and designers enhanced the aerodynamic attributes of the GT Black Series, drawing heavily from the AMG GT R and AMG GT R PRO. ‘Form follows function’ is the defining principle of the new Black Series.
The visual and technical parallels to the AMG GT3 and AMG GT4 racing cars are more pronounced than ever. This begins with the new, significantly enlarged radiator air inlet, directly inherited from the AMG GT3 racing car. The radiator trim features vertical slats in dark chrome. With wheel arch coolers now directly fed via the central inlet, the need for two additional outer air inlets in the front bumper is eliminated. Semicircular flics optimize airflow, boosting downforce at the front axle and enhancing brake cooling. ‘Air curtains’ manage and direct airflow towards the wheels. These enhancements, along with the flics ahead of the wheels, collectively reduce the drag coefficient and amplify downforce. The new design language seamlessly blends maximum cool-air efficiency with minimized air resistance and increased front downforce.
The carbon-fiber front splitter offers two manually adjustable settings (Street and Race – with Race intended exclusively for racetrack use), adaptable to diverse track conditions. In the extended ‘Race’ position, a front diffuser, shaped like an inverted wing profile, is created beneath the front section. This element is further lowered by increasing negative pressure with speed, accelerating underbody airflow and creating a ‘Venturi effect’. This draws the car closer to the road and intensifies downforce on the front axle, enhancing steering precision and directional stability, particularly during high-speed cornering. With the front diffuser in ‘Race’ position, the new rear spoiler design further increases rear axle downforce.
Hood with Exhaust Air Openings and Enhanced Aero-Performance
Another motorsport-derived feature is the new carbon-fiber hood, featuring two large exhaust air outlets with black-finished carbon-fiber surfaces. These outlets channel warm air from the diagonally positioned cooling pack out of the engine compartment. This motorsport technology enhances overall downforce, reduces air resistance, and optimizes engine cooling airflow. Air is strategically guided around the A-pillars and side windows to the rear, improving the efficiency of the new rear spoiler design. Seamlessly integrated front fender vents with five body-colored fins and exhaust air openings behind the front wheels in carbon-fiber fenders further increase front axle downforce through effective wheel arch ventilation. The airflow around the vehicle is also refined by new, larger, and wider side sill panels with black carbon-fiber elements, merging into vertical blades at the front and rear. Additional cooling air ducts are integrated into the side sill panels for rear axle brake cooling.
Two-Stage Rear Spoiler Concept
The rear profile is defined by a new rear bumper with a large diffuser, dual rounded twin-tailpipe trims positioned externally, side wheel arch ventilation, and an innovative rear spoiler design. Both spoiler blades are crafted from carbon fiber, mechanically adjustable to suit varying track conditions. The lower blade is intentionally compact, optimized for airflow originating from the front of the car. Matte black carbon-fiber spoiler supports, meticulously designed through extensive simulations, enhance aerodynamic efficiency and are bolted to the carbon-fiber rear hatch.
A key feature is the adjustable flap in the upper blade, an active aerodynamic element electronically adjusted by 20 degrees based on driving conditions and the selected AMG DYNAMICS mode. In a flat position, it reduces air resistance for quicker top speed attainment. In the inclined position, it enhances braking and cornering stability via increased rear axle downforce.
Four activation strategies are available, linked to the selected AMG DYNAMICS mode (Basic, Advanced, Pro, or Master). For instance, in ‘Master’ mode, the flap remains inclined up to 155 mph, then retracts to reduce drag for top speed. During sudden braking or cornering, it immediately re-extends to optimize braking and cornering via increased downforce and air resistance. Drivers can also manually control the flap using a center console button.
Extensive Underbody Paneling
Detailed aerodynamic optimization extends to the near-fully paneled underbody, addressing both aerodynamic and thermal (heat dissipation) requirements. The flat underbody features longitudinal fins, meticulously optimized to ensure ideal airflow to the rear diffuser. This comprehensive package accelerates airflow, substantially increasing downforce. All measures are coordinated and synergize with the new rear spoiler design, resulting in downforce exceeding 882 lbs at 155 mph.
Lightweight Construction and High-Performance Braking
The intelligent material mix and lightweight construction are evident in the lightweight carbon-fiber roof with a lowered center, the carbon-fiber rear hatch with a small spoiler lip, and a larger lightweight glass rear windshield. Lightweight laminated glass is also used for the front windshield. The coiled carbon-fiber transmission mount is another exclusive Black Series component. Carbon-fiber shear panels in the front section, underbody, and rear, alongside the lightweight integral carrier and carbon-fiber cross tunnel, stiffen the aluminum body shell structure, enhancing driving precision. The carbon-fiber shear panel under the engine, connected to the integral carrier, stiffens the front section and steering system, improving steering precision and front axle stability. The front axle integral carrier is exclusively made for the Black Series using lightweight aluminum.
The standard ceramic high-performance compound brake system, featuring black calipers with white lettering, offers low weight and high performance. Specialized brake pads and rotors, along with enhanced brake cooling, ensure optimal, fade-free deceleration and precise brake application. Standard light-alloy forged wheels further contribute to weight reduction.
AMG Coil-Over Suspension and Precision Handling
A double-wishbone suspension design enhances wheel camber and toe-in stability, enabling high cornering speeds and optimized road feel during extreme cornering. Wishbones, steering knuckles, and hub carriers on both axles are forged from aluminum to reduce unsprung mass. Spherical bearings on the rear axle’s upper and lower wishbones, derived from motorsport, eliminate play, ensuring consistent toe-in and camber even under high loads. This setup allows for precise steering, clear feedback, and superior cornering performance.
Like the AMG GT R, the Black Series utilizes an AMG coil-over suspension with adjustable spring preload and adaptive adjustable damping, tailored for extreme racetrack use with high damping forces. This motorsport technology is combined with the AMG RIDE CONTROL continuously variable, adaptive damping system. Electronically controlled, it automatically adjusts damping at each wheel based on handling, speed, and road conditions. Damping characteristics are rapidly and precisely modulated by separate valves for rebound and compression forces, reacting agilely to fast suspension movements. Firmer damping during cornering and braking minimizes body roll. Continuous damping adjustment ensures optimal road contact and enhanced safety, even at high speeds.
Drivers can adjust adaptive damping via the AMG DRIVE UNIT or AMG DYNAMIC SELECT modes, choosing from “Comfort”, “Sport”, and “Sport Plus”. Modified logic offers improved trade-offs. “Comfort” and “Sport” are suitable for public roads, with “Sport” offering firmer damping and reduced comfort, also viable for wet racetrack conditions. “Sport Plus” is optimized for racetracks, intelligently adapting to track surface quality, whether a smooth Grand Prix circuit or a bumpy track like the Nürburgring Nordschleife, automatically adjusting electronic damping levels.
Carbon-Fiber Suspension Components
The front axle features a dual adjustable sway bar made of lightweight carbon fiber, set by default to a short, firm connection. The rear axle’s sway bar, made of steel with a hollow tube design for weight saving, is 3-way adjustable. From the default “central” position, it can be adjusted to harder or softer settings. A carbon-fiber shear panel in the rear underbody enhances driving precision by stiffening the rear structure. Electronically controlled dynamic engine and transmission mounts are retuned for increased agility, precise response, and clear feedback.
Further suspension enhancements include wider front and rear tracks and manually adjustable camber for motorsport-level performance on closed tracks.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO Tires and AMG TRACTION CONTROL
Specially developed with Michelin®, Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO tires are customized for the Black Series. These high-performance tires are exclusively available for Mercedes-AMG in two compounds: the standard soft-compound Michelin® Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO1A and a harder compound (Michelin® Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO2) available as a retrofitting option for hotter racetrack temperatures, identifiable by the motorsport sticker from Michelin. Tire sizes are 285/35 ZR 19 front and 335/30 ZR 20 rear, on 10 J x 19 and 12 J x 20 wheels respectively.
AMG TRACTION CONTROL: Grip to the Power of Nine
For closed-track use in ESP OFF mode, AMG TRACTION CONTROL allows drivers to fine-tune support for managing the Black Series’ immense power, without ESP brake intervention. Offering nine slip settings adjustable via a central console adjuster, it provides tailored assistance for each driver and track condition. Level 1 is for wet conditions with high safety reserves, while Level 9 allows maximum rear axle slip.
The system anticipates situations using a friction coefficient evaluator, calculating permissible drive slip based on the selected level. When wheels reach this slip level, traction control modulates engine output to maintain it, ensuring continuous acceleration with the specified slip. Algorithms control both engine drive torque and the electronic differential lock’s locking level.
Exclusive Interior and AMG-Specific Displays
The interior of the AMG GT Black Series reinforces its performance focus. Exclusive nappa leather is paired with black DINAMICA microfiber and orange contrasting topstitching. The instrument panel and lightweight door panels feature black DINAMICA microfiber trim. Matte black carbon-fiber trim and the Interior Night Package add further highlights. AMG carbon-fiber bucket seats (region dependent) offer low weight and lateral support, with AMG Performance seats standard in some markets. Silver contrasting topstitching is an optional interior choice.
The AMG GT Black Series features digital instrument displays from the AMG GT family, with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch multimedia display. The instrument cluster offers AMG-specific display styles: ‘Classic’, ‘Sporty’, and ‘Supersport’, with ‘Supersport’ featuring extensive performance data and a shift light. The multimedia display visualizes vehicle functions, driving assistance, and communication systems.
Display Buttons and AMG Performance Steering Wheel
Innovative colored display buttons in the center console control transmission logic, suspension, ESP, exhaust system, rear spoiler flap, and start/stop function. These TFT display buttons are intuitive and operable even with racing gloves. Rocker switches control drive programs and audio volume.
The AMG Performance steering wheel, adopted from the AMG GT family, features a sporty design, flattened bottom, DINAMICA microfiber trim, and Black Series lettering. Aluminum shift paddles enable manual gear changes. Integrated Touch Control buttons manage the instrument cluster and multimedia display.
Standard AMG DRIVE UNIT steering wheel buttons include a round controller for drive programs and two configurable display buttons for AMG functions, allowing drivers to maintain focus on high-speed driving. The AMG Interior Night Package, standard equipment, includes high-gloss black finishes on shift paddles, steering wheel spokes, and seat inserts, enhancing the car’s sporty aesthetic.
Technical Data at a Glance
| 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.0-liter V8 biturbo |
| Displacement | 3982 cc |
| Output | 720 hp at 6,700-6,900 rpm |
| Peak torque | 590 lb-ft at 2,000-6,000 rpm |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Transmission | AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed |
| Acceleration 0-60 mph | 3.1 s |
| Top speed | 202 mph |
About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Atlanta, manages distribution, marketing, and customer service for Mercedes-Benz products in the United States, offering a diverse luxury lineup from the A-Class Sedan to the Mercedes-AMG GT R. MBUSA also oversees Mercedes-Benz Vans in the U.S. For more information, visit www.mbusa.com and www.mbsprinterusa.com. Media resources are available at media.mbusa.com.
