Monday 18th June 2012

Mercedes readies SLS AMG Black Series

Now the SLS gets properly hardcore...

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If you thought the new AMG SLS GT was short of width, noise and presence, don't worry. The AMG test team is already one step ahead of you. The raucous beast you see here is the test mule for the 2013 AMG SLS Black Series. Yes, a Black Series version of AMG's hottest model. As you'd expect, it's not just wider arches and an (even louder) exhaust system.

Word on the streets of Nurburg would have you believe this hot SLS will be pushing out a thoroughly ridiculous, but plausible, 660hp (up from 591hp in the GT version). Coupled to a quicker-shifting version of the 7-speed DCT 'box, the new car must make the straights of the Nordschleife feel even shorter to that lucky driver. And judging by the width of the rubber under those wide arches, the corners will be feeling pretty good, too.

The SLS Black Series is expected to be offered during 2013, but in true Black Series tradition we have no idea if the price will be double that of the original version or just a hefty surcharge over standard. If that's too long to wait, why not have a mooch through the used SLSes in the PH classifieds?

 

[Ferosferio]

Oh my.

[Lordbenny]

All I can hear are tyres!

[herebebeasties]

How on earth do you get that down a B-road? The standard car is already absolutely enormous!

[Furyblade_Lee]

I am not generally a Mercedes or AMG fan, but the SLS is a stunning car. As long at the black-version bodywork doesn't make it look like it's been Max-Power'd then I bet that will be one awesome car. But you know already it will be criticised for being overweight in group-tests before it's even been built! Could you imagine how awesome an SLS would be if it was geniunly lightweight??

[130R]

I think this will be awesome, unfortunately so will the price.

[V8 FOU]

Same old, same old...
Cars get more powerfull - cars get heavier.
Why can't they strip out all the crap, like electric windows, seats, air bags etc and make a truly light version?

[130R]

V8 FOU said:

Same old, same old...
Cars get more powerfull - cars get heavier.
Why can't they strip out all the crap, like electric windows, seats, air bags etc and make a truly light version?

Because nobody would buy it

[thewheelman]

So another AMG Mercedes with more power than it could ever cope with.

[davepoth]

Was that the new A-class following it in the last shot? accelerated very impressively out of the corner if it was...

[ZesPak]

thewheelman said:

So another AMG Mercedes with more power than it could ever cope with.

You prefer cars with less power than they can cope with?
You must love the 318d.

[thewheelman]

ZesPak said:

thewheelman said:

So another AMG Mercedes with more power than it could ever cope with.

You prefer cars with less power than they can cope with?
You must love the 318d.

How did you come up with that?, I can only assume you're an idiot.

Guessing you've never driven an AMG Black series Merc?

Great engine, but the handling is questionable.

[rohrl]

Why does the link to used SLS's in the article go to a mixed page of Aston Martins and SLS's?

Yet another supercar which is far too big to use on the road IMO.

[thewheelman]

rohrl said:

Why does the link to used SLS's in the article go to a mixed page of Aston Martins and SLS's?

Yet another supercar which is far too big to use on the road IMO.

It does make those Astons look damn good value for money.

[wtdoom]

Can't wait , black serious

[ZesPak]

thewheelman said:

ZesPak said:

thewheelman said:

So another AMG Mercedes with more power than it could ever cope with.

You prefer cars with less power than they can cope with?
You must love the 318d.

How did you come up with that?, I can only assume you're an idiot.

Guessing you've never driven an AMG Black series Merc?

Great engine, but the handling is questionable.

Oh, great, already namecalling.

You said "So another AMG Mercedes with more power than it could ever cope with.", which implies that you like cars that have a chassis that is more than capable of handling the horsepower.
I've driven an AMG, yes (sadly no SLS yet!), but I've driven plenty of cars that have more hp than they can cope with. I now understand that you were reffering to the "questionable handling", but that's hardly an issue of too many horses, is it?

Are you saying that the 911 in your profile pic hasn't got more HP than it can handle in most situations? Ie: putting your foot down in anything but great conditions will get you in troube?

[DanDC5]

130R said:

V8 FOU said:

Same old, same old...
Cars get more powerfull - cars get heavier.
Why can't they strip out all the crap, like electric windows, seats, air bags etc and make a truly light version?

Because nobody would buy it

Seems the case, certainly the GT3 RS 911, 360 CS, 430 Scud etc are all proof no one wants a stripped out version of a supercar.

[ZesPak]

DanDC5 said:

Seems the case, certainly the GT3 RS 911, 360 CS, 430 Scud etc are all proof no one wants a stripped out version of a supercar.

And the Superleggera.
Weird that this isn't stripped out, aren't the "Black" label cars usually stripped out? I've only seen a CLK once and iirc, that had the back seats removed.

[thewheelman]

ZesPak said:

thewheelman said:

ZesPak said:

thewheelman said:

So another AMG Mercedes with more power than it could ever cope with.

You prefer cars with less power than they can cope with?
You must love the 318d.

How did you come up with that?, I can only assume you're an idiot.

Guessing you've never driven an AMG Black series Merc?

Great engine, but the handling is questionable.

Oh, great, already namecalling.

You said "So another AMG Mercedes with more power than it could ever cope with.", which implies that you like cars that have a chassis that is more than capable of handling the horsepower.
I've driven an AMG, yes (sadly no SLS yet!), but I've driven plenty of cars that have more hp than they can cope with. I now understand that you were reffering to the "questionable handling", but that's hardly an issue of too many horses, is it?

Are you saying that the 911 in your profile pic hasn't got more HP than it can handle in most situations? Ie: putting your foot down in anything but great conditions will get you in troube?

The fact I said it has more power than it can cope with is exactly that, the subject of this car, & this car alone. It does not translate to liking underpowered cars, which I'm pretty sure you know that.

As for my car, take into account it has nowhere near the amount of power the mad Merc has to deal with. Be honest, if you were in the market for a £200k (ish) car to drive on the limit, would you pick the Merc?

[wtdoom]

200 k for an sls black ? You are about half way there mate ...
I owned an sls and it was actually a great car on the limit . You could drive it neat or drift for England , your choice .
Very underrated car the sls

[mrclav]

V8 FOU said:

Same old, same old... Why can't they strip out all the crap, like electric windows

Same old, same old... Let's get this settled once and for all - the argument for electric windows adding significant weight is ignorant; you're talking about another 2-3lbs at the most (or to put it into context, throwing an extra pair of shoes in the car) which, given the power this car will obviously have is negligible. Proof:

Electric window mechanism coming in at just over 2lbs (let's call it 2.5 if you really want to be pedantic).


Manual window mechanism weighs in a hair over 2lbs so there's not enough in it to warrant a wind-up mechanism.

V8 FOU said:

seats

I'd say seats in a car would be necessary.

V8 FOU said:

air bags etc

Name me one new car on sale today that doesn't have airbags? Last time I checked they were mandatory for a car of this type. Not to mention the fact that even if they weren't and this car wasn't sold with any then some-one got in an accident, a mother of a lawsuit would be waiting for Merc... And do you think think for one second that some-one in the market for a car like this would buy one with no airbags over a rival maker's car that did?

Edited by mrclav on Monday 18th June 12:18