Mercedes AMG tuning division gave the world an impressive two seater sports car, the SLS AMG. It remains the only car that the company has built from scratch. Within AMG is a small division responsible for some mindboggling creations. Creations from this department bear the name Black Series. New from that department is a tuned SLS AMG with plenty of power and aerodynamic tweaks.
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| Mercedes SLS AMG Coupe Black Series |
Its design was influenced by another special SLS called the SLS AMG GT. It has wide flared wings with an added with of 13 mm (front) and 26 mm (rear) on each side create the necessary space for the 275 mm and 325 mm sports tyres. Darkened headlamps and black surrounds for the rear lights provide the sports car with a muscular and aggressive look. The vehicle’s aerodynamic balance is optimised by the front bumper and rear bumper with its diffusor.
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| Mercedes SLS AMG GT |
The side sill panels are made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic. Carbon fibre is also visible on front splitter and rear diffusor. The enlarged air intakes with carbon-fibre flics additionally ensure an optimum air inflow into the cooling modules at the front. At the front is a central air outlet. Apart from effectively discharging the engine heat, this outlet also increases downforce at the front axle. The wing-like cross-fin and the star recess in the radiator grille are finished in high-gloss black to match the exterior mirrors and the fins on the bonnet. The carbon-fibre insert on the sides with air outlet and a black fin is also adopted from the GT3. This feature also helps to reduce the temperature level in the engine compartment. The upshot is maximum stability, even in tough race track use.
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| Naturally aspirated 6.3lire 631hp V8 engine |
A striking feature on the sides is the attractive integration of the side skirts, which combine with the side feature line in appealing fashion. The carbon elements fitted along the bottom at the sides continue the line of the carbon-fibre front splitter along to the rear. AMG forged wheels in a series-specific 10‑spoke design, painted in matt black with a high sheen finish. The rear of the SLS AMG Coupe Black Series presents a brawny appearance on a par with that of the front end. The wide wings and the striking rear diffusor are the predominant features here.
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| Rear carbon fibre spoiler |
The diffusor extends beyond the profile of the rear apron and produces additional downforce at the rear axle. This results in greater driving stability at high speeds. Visible air openings behind black grilles serve to control the dischrage of hot air in the area of the AMG titanium sports exhaust system. The two sets of twin chrome tailpipes with a square cross-section provide a visual demonstration of the gull-wing super sports car’s power and dynamism. The two charactaristics are further boosted by the impressive soundtrack from the engine. The coupe has a total weight of 1550kg.
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| Crbon fibre intakes |
This makes it lighter than the normal SLS AMG thanks to the use of carbon fibre and aluminium. Another weight saving feature is the use of a lithium-ion battery which is used in place of a normal battery. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé Black Series can be upgraded with the optional AMG Aerodynamics package. This package features a fixed, adjustable carbon-fibre rear aerofoil in the style of the SLS AMG GT3 in place of the standard-fit aerofoil which extends automatically at speeds of over 120 km/h. The rear aerofoil is braced by aluminium elements on a special insert on the boot lid.
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| Large ceramic disc brakes |
Under its long bonnet is an uprated AMG 6.3-litre V8 generating a power output of 631hp and 635Nm of torque. This makes the SLS AMG Coupe Black Series the most powerful AMG high performance automobile with a combustion engine. The engine ensures that the coupe can accelerate from 0 to 100 in just 3.6 seconds. Top speeds stands at 315km/h. It will need 13.71 litres of fuel to cover 100km. The eight-cylinder naturally aspirated engine installed as a front mid-engine behind the front axle boasts racing car-style response and livelier than ever revving ability. Exhaust fumes from the engine are channel out using a new titanium exhaust system which is 13kgs lighter than the normal exhaust.
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| AMG controls |
Married to the engine is the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission. The transmission is installed ten millimetres lower in order to achieve a lower centre of gravity for the vehicle. The dual clutch transmission features four driving modes Comfort, Sports, Sports plus and Manual. ‘Sport plus’ and ‘Manual’ modes in particular provide an even sportier performance.
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| SLS AMG Coupe and Convertible |
The chassis and suspension of the Black Series are also new. The basic layout with double wishbones all-round in aluminium remains unchanged. The brake system boasts excellent deceleration performance and outstanding stability. The AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system comes as standard. The ceramic brake discs also feature increased hardness for enhanced thermal strength.
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| AMG sports seats |
Inside the SLS AMG Coupe Black Series is a variety of high quality materials. There are two interior trim options; Alcantara black or Alcantara black/red. With the two-tone variant, the door centre panels and the applications on the centre console and above the glove compartment are finished in red. The AMG Performance steering wheel with flattened bottom rim section features Alcantara all round for a good grip. In the top section the steering wheel features a sporty red 12 o’clock marking.
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| Side profile with large 10 spoke AMG wheels |
The real metal bezel features a high-gloss black paint finish to match the high-gloss black surrounds of the air vents. Designo leather is also used throughout the interior as well. The leather is visible on the door centre panels and on the AMG sports bucket seats. The bucket seats are embossed by an AMG logo on the head restraints. They are also 15 kilograms lighter than the standard AMG sports seats. The absence of the COMAND APS multimedia system reduces the vehicle’s weight by an additional six kilograms. In place of the screen between the air vents, a carbon-fibre trim element exudes an authentic racing atmosphere.
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| Alcantara black/red trim |
One can order the COMAND APS which comes hooked to a Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end surround sound system. The Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end surround sound system with Dolby Digital 5.1 enables an exclusive music experience of the very highest standard. This is made possible by a 1000 W amplifier and 11 loudspeakers in conjunction with precise distribution of the music signals by the sound processor according to the selectable seat positions.
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| Large rear diffuser made of carbon fibre |
All functions are controlled via COMAND APS in a special Bang & Olufsen menu. The illuminated 50 W lens tweeters are a special highlight on the dashboard. The 250 W subwoofer is accommodated in the rear shelf. The SLS AMG Coupe Black Series will be available from June 2013.