What's the news?
AMG has applied its Black Series magic to the entirely AMG-derived and engineered SLS flagship. Taking cues from the GT3 racing cars, it's lighter, quicker, more powerful and more focused than any other of its numerous SLS relations.
Exterior
The SLS is no wallflower in standard guise, but the Black Series makeover adds some serious aggression to the styling. There are flared wheel arches (by 13mm up front and 26mm at the back) for a start, which are necessary to create the space for the wider track and bigger wheel and tyre package behind which sit AMG ceramic high performance brakes. Enlarged air intakes feed the harder worked engine and brakes, while the front splitter and boot lid sprout aerodynamic addenda finished in carbon fibre. Smoked finishes to the front and rear lights add to the changes, as does a large rear diffuser within which nestle AMG's signature quad exhausts.
Interior
Finished in either plain black Alcantara or a black and red combination the interior again follows a motorsport theme. So out goes the Comand APS multimedia system (for a 6kg saving - though if you can live with the weight it's on the options list). There are also sports seats that reduce weight by a not inconsiderable 15kg, while carbon fibre features extensively - so long as you tick the right option box.
Mechanicals
The 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine has had its output increased by 60- to a maximum of 631hp. That's produced at 7,400rpm and the V8's redline increases from 7,200rpm on the standard car to 8,000rpm here. The increase in power and revs has been enabled thanks to new high-speed valve train, new air ducting and a revised crank assembly. A titanium exhaust, quicker shifting DCT seven-speed transmission (situated 10mm lower to give a better centre of gravity), a new AMG electronic differential lock and significant revisions to the suspension for greater stability and precision at speed are also featured. There's even a lithium ion battery for further weight savings.
Anything else?
All those changes make the SLS AMG Black Series 70kg lighter than the standard car, it offering the best power-to-weight ratio of any Black Series model to date. It's quicker to 62mph as a result, shaving 0.2 seconds off the standard SLS Coupé's 3.8-second time to record 3.6 seconds. AMG actually quotes a lower top speed though, the 196mph the Black Series achieves being 1mph slower than the standard car. Blame the drag created by the aerodynamic changes, though the Black Series is certain to feel significantly quicker on road or track. Prices have yet to be announced, but don't expect to see much change from quarter of a million pounds, if any at all.
Kyle Fortune - 8 Nov 2012
