REPORT: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series coming in 2013
2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG – Click above for high-res image gallery
After initially announcing the project back in 2006, Mercedes-Benz finally lived up to anticipation when it unveiled its new top-of-the-line SLS AMG at the Frankfurt Motor Show. But despite the supercar's superlative performance figures, the stock SLS is emerging as only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. In addition to an upcoming all-electric version and anticipated roadster, reports are popping up again to confirm that the German automaker is indeed working on a Black Series version that will take the car's performance to the edge of the envelope.
The report in Autocar equates the difference between the existing SLS and the upcoming Black edition to the distance bridged from the Corvette Z06 to the ZR1. That's some standard to live up to, but if reports prove accurate, the SLS AMG Black Series should be up to the task. Whereas the stock SLS offers 563 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque from its 6.2-liter V8, the Black version is tipped to produce upwards of 600 hp and more than 500 lb-ft of twist from the same engine, tweaked with a larger air manifold, higher compression, new camshafts, a mechanical locking diff and more.
Driving through the same 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and coupled to a revised aerodynamics package and aggressive weight-reduction program, the SLS Black is tipped to drop the stock 0-62 time down from 3.8 seconds to below 3.5 seconds and boost the top speed from 195 to 208 miles per hour. A commensurate 50% price hike to around £155k (~$250k) would put the SLS AMG Black Series on par with the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano with the HGTE handling package, set to hit the scene some time around 2013.
Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
homunculus 4:02PM (11/02/2009)
it looks like a catfish swallowing a mercedes logo.
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stecki 4:12PM (11/02/2009)
i pray to god that this is the kind of car that looks awesome in real life, but just doesn't photograph well. very dissappointed...
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RMN 4:14PM (11/02/2009)
The original is one of my favorite looking cars.
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e_101 4:23PM (11/02/2009)
+37 hp +21 Tq and isnt exactly "the distance bridged from the Corvette Z06 to the ZR1."
The ZR1 has about 130Horse more than the z06, id expect a lot more from a AMG black edition car....
sparrk 5:40PM (11/02/2009)
maybe they will add lightness instead of power , at least that's what Merc said when they declared the horsepower war over.
Venom 8:00PM (11/02/2009)
Original Gullwing, Shelby 427 Cobra, Porsche Speedster are some of the most beautiful cars ever made...
Art 4:18PM (11/02/2009)
still less than the SLR.
performance, looks, value...wow!
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RG 4:19PM (11/02/2009)
I'm still holding out hope that the Mercedes tartan makes it into one version of this car.
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Jerk Face 4:21PM (11/02/2009)
Such an attractive vehicle. Love the smooth lines.
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Power Beauty Soul 4:23PM (11/02/2009)
FYI, the 599 HGTE is already in production. Cars should be hitting stateside before the end of the year.
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timwang2006 4:24PM (11/02/2009)
This is got to be the single most polarizing styled car ever.
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Robert Z 5:12PM (11/02/2009)
Great looking car, just not as beautiful as the original 300sl
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revaholic 5:24PM (11/02/2009)
It's ugly.
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MachinaDC5 5:30PM (11/02/2009)
I better keep my garage empty in anticipation then.
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Venom 5:35PM (11/02/2009)
I love this car and the Black will be just that more awesome.
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sam 7:11PM (11/02/2009)
Why does one need a Black version of this car? I guess following that logic they should also make Black version of F-1 race cars also! Why not just make one version, and make it as fast/light as possible and call it a day?
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Brandon 6:34PM (11/02/2009)
I don't think this is an ugly car, it has very beautiful lines, but something about just makes me NOT fall in love with it.
Something about the area between the hood, the grille and the headlamps...
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Davin Black 7:42PM (11/02/2009)
Oddly enough, this is the only Benz I'd ever consider buying in Red (SLK doesn't count because...well...I wouldn't buy it at all).
That being said, making a Black series production run seems unnecessary to me. The extra grunt is nice, I guess, but they could have just offered a Black Series version as a one-off from their AMG Performance Studio -like the B.Ape president's custom 300SL, or the SLR-powered G-wagen (at least, I'm assuming AMG did it, as no other tuner has taken credit for it). It would've added to the exclusivity.
Regardless, I can see a good number of people already foaming at the mouth at this latest upgrade to an already sexy piece of kit.
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Kaveh 11:09PM (11/02/2009)
This should make it interesting, I really want to see one in person.
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AMG Powerrr 7:32AM (11/03/2009)
I can't wait for it. I like it a lot more then a Corvette, however the Corvette is also a fine piece of automobile :)
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