For true enthusiasts seeking the zenith of AMG’s engineering prowess, the Mercedes Sls Black Series stands out as an epitome of exclusivity, rarity, and track-honed performance. The Black Series designation is reserved for AMG’s most extreme creations – the most driver-focused, intensely dynamic, and supremely limited production models. Building upon AMG’s already exceptional vehicles, the Black Series elevates performance through meticulous enhancements to powertrains, chassis engineering, and aerodynamic profiles, pushing dynamic capabilities to their absolute limit. To date, only a select few models have been granted the prestigious Black Series badge, a lineage that includes legends like the SLK 55 Black Series, CLK 63 Black Series, SL 65 Black Series, and C 63 Black Series, culminating in the breathtaking Mercedes SLS Black Series. As anticipation builds for the forthcoming GT Black Series, let’s reflect on the remarkable heritage established by these iconic predecessors, with a spotlight on the unparalleled Mercedes SLS Black Series.
Black Series Model Lineup: A Legacy of Performance
SLK 55 AMG Black Series: Transforming the AMG Roadster into a Track-Ready Beast
Alt text: Side view of a silver Mercedes SLK 55 AMG Black Series parked on a racetrack, highlighting its aggressive stance.
Key Facts & Figures:
- Conceived within the exclusive AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO, established in 2006, dedicated to crafting bespoke models.
- Powertrain: Hand-assembled AMG 5.5-liter V8 engine delivering 400 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque.
- Production Years: 2006-2007, with a highly limited run of just 120 units worldwide (not available in the U.S. market).
- Signature Upgrades: Replaced the standard retractable hardtop with a fixed, lightweight alternative, contributing to a significant weight reduction of approximately 100 pounds through comprehensive lightweighting measures.
CLK 63 AMG Black Series: Drawing Inspiration from DTM Racing and Formula 1 Safety Cars
Alt text: Front three-quarter view of a black Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Series on a winding road, emphasizing its wide body and sporty design.
Key Facts & Figures:
- Powertrain: Handcrafted AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine, generating an impressive 500 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque.
- Production Year: 2008, limited to 700 units globally.
- Signature Upgrades: Featured adjustable coil-spring suspension, enhanced chassis rigidity with additional interior bracing and rear-seat deletion, and a DTM-inspired wide body kit with widened front and rear tracks for superior handling.
SL 65 AMG Black Series: The Ultimate SL, Powered by the Flagship AMG V12 Biturbo Engine
Alt text: Dynamic shot of a grey Mercedes SL 65 AMG Black Series speeding on a track, showcasing its long hood and powerful presence.
Key Facts & Figures:
- Powertrain: Hand-built AMG 6.0-liter V12 Biturbo engine unleashing a staggering 661 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque.
- Production Year: 2009, with a limited production of 350 units worldwide.
- Signature Upgrades: Virtually every body panel, except for the doors and side mirrors from the standard SL, was unique to the Black Series, constructed from lightweight carbon-fiber reinforced plastic. The conventional SL’s retractable hardtop was replaced with a fixed roof for enhanced rigidity and weight reduction.
C 63 AMG Black Series: The Most Potent C-Class Ever Created
Alt text: Close-up of the front grille and headlight of a red Mercedes C 63 AMG Black Series, highlighting its aggressive front fascia and AMG badging.
Key Facts & Figures:
- Powertrain: Hand-assembled AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine producing 510 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque.
- Production Year: 2013, limited to 800 units produced globally.
- Signature Upgrades: Incorporated widened track and aggressive bodywork, coil-over suspension for track-focused handling, AMG high-performance composite two-piece brakes, and aerodynamic enhancements refined on the track.
SLS AMG Black Series: The Pinnacle of the SLS Range
Alt text: Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series in bright yellow with gullwing doors open, parked at a race track pit lane, emphasizing its iconic design and track-ready features.
Key Facts & Figures:
- Performance: Powered by a hand-built AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine producing an exhilarating 622 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque.
- Availability: Released in 2014, with fewer than 200 units imported into the United States, making it exceptionally rare.
- Signature Upgrades: Heavily inspired by the SLS AMG GT3 race car, the Mercedes SLS Black Series is a fusion of breathtaking aesthetics, exceptional driving dynamics, and uncompromising lightweight construction. Tipping the scales at just 3,417 pounds, the 2014 SLS AMG Black Series boasts an astonishing power-to-weight ratio of 5.49 lb/hp. Widely regarded as the most dynamically focused and exhilarating SLS variant ever produced, the Mercedes SLS Black Series represents the ultimate expression of AMG’s engineering and performance philosophy within the iconic SLS lineage.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate these remarkable machines, the legacy of the AMG Black Series is set to continue. The upcoming GT Black Series promises to further push the boundaries of performance and exclusivity, ensuring that the Black Series name remains synonymous with the most thrilling and coveted vehicles in the AMG portfolio. The Mercedes SLS Black Series and its brethren have cemented their place in automotive history, representing the ultimate in track-inspired performance for the road.
