Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Black Series I The Ultimate Guide

MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG BLACK

With a 631hp set of fireworks under the bonnet this Merc is a GT3 car for your driveway.

THE BASICS

It feels like a GT3 car more so than anything driven before.
Hood, drive train and other mechanical bits were fettled.
The frenetic, naturally aspirated V8 is a feast for your ears.

RATING

9/10

Maker:
Cost:
Engine:
Power:

Mercedes-Benz AMG
US$275,000
6.2 liter V-8 engine
631 hp

We Love:
We Hate:
Overall:

Thunderous V8. It handles.
Big Bird yellow paint job.
Closest thing to GT3 car for your driveway

MERCEDES SLS AMG BLACK SERIES

This isn't your normal black series Mercedes Benz, which says a lot because most black series Benz's are amazing cars. It outperforms, out handles and outshines anything Mercedes has built so far.

The changes are dramatic. It starts with Mercedes trying to take out weight. Gone are the hood, drive train components and other mechanical bits, replaced with carbon fiber. Weight savings happened everywhere in this car.

A fully revised valve train adds 39hp to the already more power GT version of the SLS, for a total of 622hp. The track has been increased by 0.8 of an inch in the front and 9.9 inches at the back, the transmission is installed lower in the chassis. A new electronically controlled AMG rear differential replaces the mechanical version and the entire suspension has been reworked. Yep, this Black Series is different.

SLS AMG BLACK SERIES VIDEOS

Watch the first Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series as well as Pro driver Randy Pobst hot laps the 2014 Mercedes-Benz with that amazing exhaust sound and finally, don't forget to check out the awesome video of Chris Harris in what he calls the "German Tyre Killer".

see more Mercedes cars >>

MERCEDES SLS AMG BLACK SERIES SPECS

The heart of SLS is the AMG 6.3 liter V8 that pumped our a strong 631 naturally aspirated horsepower. The incremental 60 hp of power vs the standard SLS AMG has come from some major changes, including:

Increase in maximum revs from 7200 to 8000 rpm
Fully revised high-speed valve train
Modified camshafts, adapted cam geometry and optimized bucket tappets featuring a special coating which is otherwise exclusive to racing vehicles
Modification of the intake air ducting: derestriction and new maximum engine speed
Adaptation of the engine application and increase in peak pressure

The engineers at Mercedes-AMG have further optimized the crank assembly in the interests of optimum stability in tough racing use. The measures carried out here include modified oil bores in the crankshaft, new crankshaft bearings, a new oil pump and high-strength screwed connections for the conrods. The entire water and oil cooling system for the engine and transmission has also undergone further optimization.

Displacement
Bore x stroke
Compression ratio
Output
Max. torque
Maximum revs

6208 cc
102.2 x 94.6 mm
11.3
464 kW (631 hp) at 7400 rpm
635 Nm at 5500 rpm
8000 rpm

SLS AMG BLACK PERFORMANCE

The SLS AMG Coupé Black Series accelerates to 60mph in 3.6 seconds. The top speed stands at 315 km/h.

The AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine generating a power output of 464 kW (631 hp) and 635 Newton meters of torque is a byword for thrilling driving dynamics, making the SLS AMG Coupé Black Series the most powerful AMG high-performance automobile with a combustion engine at present.

There is great feedback in the steering, chassis and brakes. The frenetic naturally aspirated V8 is a feast for your ears, it sounds ballistic. It darts and slashes it's way into the track, this is how the SLS should have been from the beginning. You can place is perfectly, take a clean line or lose your mind and go sideways anytime you like. It feels like a track car on the circuit and is sensational on the road, very few cars car do this.

Acceleration:

Top Speed:

0–60 mph (97 km/h): 3.6 sec
0-124 Mph: 7.9 sec.
0-186 Mph: 12 sec
315 km/h (195 mph)

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO DRIVE

There is great feedback in the steering, chassis and brakes. The frenetic naturally aspirated V8 is a feast for your ears, it sounds ballistic. It darts and slashes it's way into the track, this is how the SLS should have been from the beginning. You can place is perfectly, take a clean line or lose your mind and go sideways anytime you like. It feels like a track car on the circuit and is sensational on the road, very few cars car do this.