Autoblog

REPORT: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series coming in 2013

Noah Joseph — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz

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]

REPORT: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series coming in 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Top Gear takes on the Mercedes SL 65 AMG Black Series

Chris Shunk — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz, UK, Celebrities

Click above to watch video after the jump

When Jeremy Clarkson has the keys to a 660 hp supercar, you know you're in for a heck of a ride. The affable BBC host took the reigns of twin-turbo V12-powered Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series, and we're pretty sure the Top Gear team needed to change its rather expensive tires at some time during the shoot.

The SL 65 AMG Black Series tore up the tarmac and even took on the company's own (much more expensive) McLaren SLR, but did Clarkson like it? Lets just say that he compared seat time in this super Benz to sitting on a pile of stones. It seems having 740 lb-ft of torque at your beckoning call isn't always a good thing, either. Oh, the horror. Hit the jum p to watch for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Top Gear takes on the Mercedes SL 65 AMG Black Series

VIDEO: Top Gear takes on the Mercedes SL 65 AMG Black Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spied-by-Side: Pagani Zonda and SL65 Black in Colorado

Noah Joseph — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz, AMG

Eyebrows were raised when a photograph from the Rockies began circulating the interwebs. The rare shot shows a pair of delectable supercar test mules - the next-generation Pagani Zonda and the new Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series - undergoing testing side-by-side on public roads. Aside the from the rare occurrence of a non-homologated Zonda on American tarmac, speculation began to ramp up as to what the two were doing together. Conclusion: they must be sharing the same engine.

While that may be the case, it could be a simple instance of AMG doubling-up on their test time, since Pagani renewed its engine deal with the Mercedes tuning house. Previous reports suggested that the supercharged V8 from the outgoing SLR McLaren could be flipped around for duty in the next-gen Zonda, however the SL65 Black uses a much larger 600hp twin-turbo V12. Of course it's impossible to tell at this point, but we'll be keeping our eyes peeled in the meantime.

[Source: Fast Lane Daily]

Spied-by-Side: Pagani Zonda and SL65 Black in Colorado originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black at full-tilt boogie

Alex Nunez — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz, AMG

Click above for a photo gallery. Follow the jump for video.

The SL65 AMG Black, in this Autoblogger's opinion, is everything the SLR should have been -- intimidating, mean, nasty, and fast. Granted, the butterfly-doored SLR had the last base covered, but compared to this latest Black Series ride, it looks cute and cuddly. Mercedes has now released a trio of official videos of the SL65 AMG Black, one of which features the new supercar doing its business on-track, making splendid noises all the while. Looks like Team Autoblog will be picking up a couple of extra Powerball tix this afternoon, since we have a new toy sitting atop the fantasy shopping list, but currently lack the greenbacks to even get ourselves on the waiting list. It's times like this when we wish we'd gotten into hedge funds...

Follow the jump for three fresh videos.

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series

[Source: Road2Road.com]

Continue reading VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black at full-tilt boogie

VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black at full-tilt boogie originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: AMG wizards working on Black Series SL

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, AMG

After giving the world the Black Series CLK at the New York Auto show as a fortieth birthday present, the gang at AMG are at it again. A very special Mercedes-Benz SL has been spotted being prepared at AMG's Nürburgring shop. Like the CLK, the SL gets modified bodywork to cover the steamroller tires and will undoubtedly get an extra helping of power. So far there's no word on when we'll see it officially or how much power it will have, but the smart money is on something involving a "63" badge on the boot.

[Source: Winding Road]

Spy Shots: AMG wizards working on Black Series SL originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Sep 2007 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz NY Surprise: CLK63 AMG Black?

Alex Nunez — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:34:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz

Click for image gallery

Well, credit Mercedes-Benz for keeping us on our toes. Via Autoblog.nl comes word that the NYIAS surprise car might not be the CL65 AMG, as we've been assuming. When the embargo lifted on the uber-coupe earlier in the week, we figured that it wass, in all probability, the Car Under The Cover.

That's all in question right now, as Autoblog.nl has acquired leaked and apparently official images of the to-be-released CLK63 AMG Black Series, a limited-production street version of the 2007 Formula 1 safety car. The plot thickens, so stay tuned. The New York Auto Show is just three days away.

[Source: Auoblog.nl via Jalopnik]

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series

Mercedes-Benz NY Surprise: CLK63 AMG Black? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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