The Mercedes-AMG Black Series designation has long been whispered in hushed tones among automotive aficionados, synonymous with the pinnacle of performance, raw power, and track-focused engineering. Since 2006, these models have represented the most extreme and uncompromising expressions of the AMG philosophy, bridging the gap between road-legal sports cars and outright racing machines. Now, a new titan emerges from Affalterbach, ready to redefine the boundaries of super sports car performance: the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series.
This isn’t merely an evolution; it’s a revolution. The engineers at Mercedes-AMG have meticulously crafted a vehicle that not only embodies the brand’s deep-rooted motorsport heritage but also pushes the limits of what’s technically possible in a production car. The result? A breathtaking machine boasting the most potent AMG V8 engine ever conceived, coupled with sophisticated active aerodynamics and a design language that screams purebred racing pedigree. The AMG GT Black Series is not built for leisurely Sunday drives; it’s engineered for carving apexes at breakneck speeds and dominating the most demanding racetracks in the world, all while retaining the license to thrill on public roads.
The Heart of the Beast: A Groundbreaking V8 Engine
At the core of the AMG GT Black Series lies an engine that is nothing short of a masterpiece. While based on the familiar 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine renowned for its responsiveness and power delivery, this iteration has been fundamentally transformed. The mission was clear: surpass the already formidable AMG GT family flagship in power, throttle response, and sheer torque. This ambitious goal necessitated a radical engineering shift – the introduction of a flat-plane crankshaft.
Traditionally, AMG V8 engines have utilized a cross-plane crankshaft design. This configuration, with crankpins positioned at 90-degree angles, ensures smooth operation and robust low-end torque, contributing to the signature deep rumble characteristic of AMG V8s. However, for the Black Series, AMG engineers opted for a flat-plane crankshaft, where all crankpins reside on a single plane with a 180-degree offset.
This seemingly subtle change unlocks a cascade of performance benefits. A flat-plane crankshaft V8 engine behaves more like a high-revving inline-four in terms of its firing order and gas flow dynamics. Ignition sequences alternate between cylinder banks, creating uniformly oscillating gas columns within both the intake and exhaust systems. This resonance effect can be strategically harnessed to amplify engine output. Furthermore, the reduced rotating masses and optimized gas cycles contribute to a significantly more agile and immediate throttle response – a crucial attribute for track performance.
The result is the M178 LS2, the most powerful V8 engine ever produced by Mercedes-AMG for a series production vehicle. This hand-built marvel churns out a colossal 720 horsepower at 6,700-6,900 rpm and a staggering 590 lb-ft of torque from 2,000 to 6,000 rpm. To complement the new crankshaft and firing order, bespoke camshafts and exhaust manifolds were developed to further optimize gas exchange. The twin-scroll turbochargers, featuring anti-friction bearings for enhanced responsiveness, are now equipped with larger compressor wheels, boosting peak charge pressure to 24.6 psi, a notable increase from the AMG GT R’s 19.6 psi. The redline has been elevated to a thrilling 7,200 rpm, and enlarged intercoolers ensure optimal charge air temperatures are maintained even under extreme duress. A black-finished engine badge uniquely identifies this powerhouse, a subtle yet potent symbol of its exceptional nature.
Performance Metrics That Defy Gravity
The sheer force of the M178 LS2 engine translates into breathtaking performance figures. The AMG GT Black Series catapults from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.1 seconds, and breaches the 124 mph (200 km/h) mark in under nine seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to a blistering 202 mph, a velocity best reserved for the controlled environment of a racetrack.
Harnessing this immense power is a modified AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Positioned on the rear axle in a transaxle configuration for optimal weight distribution, this gearbox has been rigorously reinforced to manage the engine’s prodigious torque output. Shift speeds and response times have been sharpened to meet the demands of track driving. The Race Start function is now even more aggressive, with elevated starting revs and enhanced wheel slip control, launching the Black Series with maximum ferocity. Transmission cooling has been upgraded to withstand extreme thermal loads, and gear ratios have been subtly adjusted to optimize acceleration and responsiveness.
Connecting the engine and transmission is a carbon fiber torque tube, a component 40% lighter than its aluminum counterpart in the standard AMG GT. This structural element provides exceptional torsional rigidity, ensuring a direct and responsive drivetrain, further contributing to the car’s balanced handling dynamics. The driveshaft housed within is also crafted from lightweight carbon fiber, minimizing rotational inertia.
Aerodynamic Mastery: Sculpted by the Wind Tunnel
Aerodynamics play a pivotal role in the AMG GT Black Series’ track prowess. Drawing heavily from the engineering principles of the AMG GT3 and GT4 racing cars, the aerodynamic package is a symphony of form and function. The design philosophy is unambiguous: “form follows function”.
The front fascia is dominated by a significantly enlarged radiator air inlet, directly inspired by the AMG GT3 race car. Vertical slats in dark chrome adorn the radiator trim, and the central inlet now feeds air not only to the radiator but also to the wheel arch coolers, eliminating the need for additional outer air inlets. Semicircular flics strategically manage airflow, boosting front axle downforce and enhancing brake cooling. Air curtains channel airflow around the wheels, working in concert with front wheel flics to minimize drag and maximize downforce.
A manually adjustable carbon fiber front splitter offers two settings: Street and Race (the latter intended exclusively for track use). In Race mode, extending the splitter forward creates a front diffuser with an inverted wing profile beneath the front section. As speed increases, negative pressure further lowers this diffuser, accelerating underbody airflow and generating a Venturi effect, effectively pulling the car closer to the tarmac and significantly increasing front axle downforce. This translates to enhanced steering precision and directional stability, especially during high-speed cornering.
The carbon fiber hood features twin prominent exhaust air outlets, channeling hot air from the diagonally positioned cooling pack out of the engine bay. This motorsport-derived technology not only improves downforce but also reduces drag and optimizes engine cooling airflow. Air is meticulously guided around the A-pillars and side windows towards the rear, enhancing the effectiveness of the rear spoiler. Integrated front fender vents with body-colored fins and carbon fiber fender exhaust air openings further augment front axle downforce through efficient wheel arch ventilation. Larger, wider side sill panels with carbon fiber elements, incorporating integrated cooling ducts for the rear brakes, refine airflow along the vehicle’s flanks.
The rear of the AMG GT Black Series is defined by a prominent diffuser, twin rounded exhaust outlets, side wheel arch vents, and an innovative two-stage rear spoiler. Both spoiler blades are crafted from carbon fiber and are mechanically adjustable to adapt to varying track conditions. The lower blade is intentionally narrow to optimally interact with airflow emanating from the front of the car. Matte black carbon fiber spoiler supports, meticulously designed through extensive simulations, maximize aerodynamic efficiency.
The upper spoiler blade features an electronically controlled active flap, adjustable by 20 degrees based on driving situation and selected AMG DYNAMICS mode. In a flat position, it minimizes drag for achieving top speed; when inclined, it boosts braking and cornering stability via increased rear axle downforce. Four distinct activation strategies are employed, contingent on the chosen AMG DYNAMICS mode (Basic, Advanced, Pro, or Master). In Master mode, for instance, the flap remains inclined up to 155 mph, then retracts to reduce drag, deploying again under braking or cornering to optimize stability. Manual flap control is also available via a center console button.
Extensive underbody paneling, incorporating longitudinal fins, ensures optimized airflow to the rear diffuser, further enhancing downforce. Collectively, these aerodynamic enhancements generate over 882 lbs of downforce at 155 mph.
Lightweight Construction: Shedding Weight for Agility
Intelligent lightweight construction is integral to the AMG GT Black Series’ dynamic prowess. A carbon fiber roof with a lowered center, a carbon fiber rear hatch with a small spoiler lip, and lightweight glass for the rear windshield contribute to weight reduction in the vehicle’s upper regions, lowering the center of gravity and enhancing agility. Lightweight laminated front windshield glass and a coiled carbon fiber transmission mount further minimize mass.
Carbon fiber shear panels in the front, underbody, and rear, along with a lightweight integral carrier and a carbon fiber cross tunnel, reinforce the aluminum body shell, enhancing torsional rigidity and improving driving precision. The carbon fiber shear panel beneath the engine bolsters the front section and steering system, resulting in sharper steering response and enhanced front axle stability. The integral carrier at the front axle is exclusively crafted from lightweight aluminum for the Black Series.
Standard ceramic high-performance compound brakes, with black calipers and white lettering, further reduce unsprung mass while providing exceptional stopping power and fade resistance. Lightweight forged alloy wheels also contribute to overall weight reduction.
Race-Derived Suspension: Precision Handling and Control
The AMG GT Black Series employs an AMG coil-over suspension with adjustable spring preload, incorporating technology honed for extreme racetrack applications. This system features AMG RIDE CONTROL continuously variable adaptive damping, electronically controlled and automatically adjusting damping at each wheel based on driving conditions, speed, and road surface. Separate valves for rebound and compression forces within the dampers react rapidly to suspension movements.
Drivers can select from “Comfort,” “Sport,” and “Sport Plus” damping modes via the AMG DRIVE UNIT or AMG DYNAMIC SELECT. “Sport Plus” mode intelligently adapts to track surface quality, optimizing damping for smooth Grand Prix circuits or more challenging, bumpy tracks like the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
A dual adjustable carbon fiber front sway bar and a 3-way adjustable steel rear sway bar fine-tune roll stiffness. A carbon fiber shear panel in the rear underbody further enhances structural rigidity. Electronically controlled dynamic engine and transmission mounts have been recalibrated to heighten agility and responsiveness.
Wider front and rear tracks and manually adjustable camber at both axles allow for aggressive camber settings optimized for racetrack performance. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO tires, custom-developed for the Black Series and available in two compounds, provide exceptional grip.
Advanced Traction Control: Mastering Immense Power
For track use with ESP OFF, AMG TRACTION CONTROL offers nine levels of adjustable slip control on the rear axle, allowing drivers to fine-tune assistance without ESP intervention. Controlled via a dedicated adjuster on the center console, the system anticipates slip using a friction coefficient evaluator and modulates engine output and electronic differential lock engagement to maintain the selected slip level. Levels range from maximum safety in wet conditions (Level 1) to maximum slip for expert drivers (Level 9).
Interior Focus: Driver-Centric and Performance-Oriented
The interior of the AMG GT Black Series is a testament to its performance focus, blending exclusive materials with a driver-centric layout. Exclusive nappa leather and black DINAMICA microfiber with orange contrasting topstitching create a sporty yet luxurious ambiance. DINAMICA microfiber adorns the instrument panel and lightweight door panels, which feature loop pull handles, a nod to motorsport minimalism. Matte black carbon fiber trim and the Interior Night Package further enhance the sporty aesthetic.
Optional AMG carbon fiber bucket seats (standard AMG Performance seats in the USA, Canada, and China) offer exceptional lateral support and lightweight construction. Silver contrasting topstitching is also available as an interior option.
Fully digital instrument displays with AMG-specific graphics offer “Classic,” “Sporty,” and “Supersport” display styles. The “Supersport” view prioritizes a central rev counter and provides performance-relevant information like shift lights. Multimedia display visualizations animate driving assistance, vehicle, and communication systems.
Colored display buttons in the center console provide intuitive control over transmission logic, suspension, ESP, exhaust system, rear spoiler flap, and start/stop function. The AMG Performance steering wheel, trimmed in DINAMICA microfiber and featuring Black Series badging, incorporates Touch Control buttons and AMG DRIVE UNIT steering wheel buttons for comprehensive vehicle control without hand repositioning.
The standard AMG Interior Night Package includes high-gloss black finishes on shift paddles, steering wheel spokes, and seat inserts, along with black brushed stainless steel door sill panels.
Conclusion: The Apex Predator of Performance
The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is not merely a new model; it’s a statement. It represents the culmination of decades of AMG’s motorsport expertise and engineering innovation, distilled into its purest, most potent form. From its revolutionary flat-plane crankshaft V8 to its wind tunnel-sculpted aerodynamics and track-optimized chassis, every element of the Black Series is meticulously crafted to deliver unparalleled performance. This is a car that doesn’t just raise the bar; it obliterates it, establishing a new benchmark for super sports car excellence. For those who demand the ultimate in driving thrills and track domination, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is not just a car – it’s an experience, an adrenaline-fueled symphony of engineering and raw power.
Technical Specifications:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.0-liter V8 biturbo |
| Displacement | 3982 cc |
| Horsepower | 720 hp @ 6,700-6,900 rpm |
| Torque | 590 lb-ft @ 2,000-6,000 rpm |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Transmission | AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed |
| 0-60 mph Acceleration | 3.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 202 mph |
