Friday 24th August 2012

SLS Black Series sheds more camouflage

Mercedes' ruded up SLS loses more of its disguise and rattles a few leaves in the Eifel forests

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These shots show the latest AMG SLS Black Series test mule racking up the miles on the Nordschleife yesterday. The newest disguise is obviously stuck on top of a pearlescent white shell, suggesting the finished product may just lay underneath these ugly black panels.

Quad tailpipes visible on test mule

Apart from the obviously inflated arches there are some interesting additions. The exhausts now exit through four individual tail pipes, instead of just two. It's a change that could be purely cosmetic, but we suspect may hint at a slightly different exhaust setup catering more to top-end power than mid-range grunt.

At the front of the car the bodywork between the classic grille and the lower air-scoops is now also an air intake, providing three gulps of cold air over the standard model's two - another hint of increased power or need for additional cooling. Big flat panels behind the front wheel also cover up some unknown change to the signature scalloped strakes.

Expect well over 600hp

The new AMG is expected to make between 600 and 650hp, a hefty increase over the standard car's already impressive 571hp. The sound is as epic as you'd hope, with shades of the GT3 cars that race here at the N24. Weight will be harder to lose though, with maybe as little as 50kg being cut.

What could make a nice difference is the double-clutch 'box being turned up a notch or two but the proof will be in the driving. For now enjoy the pics and speculation of what a faster, more focused SLS will be like!

 

[Frimley111R]

"Weight will be harder to lose though, with maybe as little as 50kg being cut."

Speculation-tastic

[richb77]

Is there a market for these Black editions?

Who buys them?

I'm just thinking aloud as they must cost a fair whack to develop and I cant imagine many people would choose one over a very tasty AMG. I certainly wouldn't.

All I think of when I think "AMG black" is Top gears reviews where they are basically un-drivable at speed due to too much power and a lack of grip....

I just had to sit down...

All light headed....

I cant believe I said "too much power" I always thought there was no such thing!

[Captain Muppet]

Frimley111R said:

"Weight will be harder to lose though, with maybe as little as 50kg being cut."

Speculation-tastic

"The exhausts now exit through four individual tail pipes, instead of just two. It's a change that could be purely cosmetic, but we suspect may hint at a slightly different exhaust setup catering more to top-end power than mid-range grunt."

Also speculation-tastic. Since when have silencer exit pipes made a difference to primary tuning?

[davepoth]

richb77 said:

Is there a market for these Black editions?

Who buys them?

I'm just thinking aloud as they must cost a fair whack to develop and I cant imagine many people would choose one over a very tasty AMG. I certainly wouldn't.

It's a body kit, some coilovers, a remap and a custom exhaust system over the top of developing the SLS; bugger all in comparison. Mainly these get shipped to the Middle East I believe.

[richardgrace75]

Back end looks very similar to the Speed 12 Cerbera when it was featured on Top Gear... In my opinion anyway.

[RobBentley]

As a C63 AMG owner, I'd take a black series instead if I had the money... mainly because they are so much rarer than the standard AMG, it makes them that little more special. Unfortunately even a C63 black, the C63 being the baby of the AMG's is twice the price of the standard car - so well outside my reach. I'm a sucker for rare cars though, something that little bit more special... I guess there are other people like me out there, allbeit with the extra ££'s to spend who buy these. Lucky buggers!

[Duffman83]

One thing that I have been pondering about weight saving in the SLS Black, would it be easier for them to develop a carbon fixed roof for the roadster , similar to the SL Black series, compared to ditching weight from a coupe?

The thoughts behind this being mainly driven by the fact that all the gubbins associated with those big heavy gullwing doors, must add a fair bit of weight to the coupe. I dont have any figures to hand but I dont think there was a significant gain of weight for the roadster.

[Frimley111R]

I heard that the Black series Merc based on the SL was just about unsellable on the 2nd hand market because its just a blinged up normal SL (with more power obviously) but a great deal more pricey.

[Nick_Johnson]

davepoth said:

It's a body kit, some coilovers, a remap and a custom exhaust system over the top of developing the SLS; bugger all in comparison. Mainly these get shipped to the Middle East I believe.

Yeah there is nothing to it, developing a AMG Black Series car is all done in Mr Ola Kaellenius sleep!

[Fetchez la vache]

I guess I'm in the minority here, but give me a car with a third of the weight, a third of the powaaaar that's nimble and chuckable round country lanes any day of the week than these things that seem to be (for the majority of owners) a status symbol to be parked outside Harrods all day.

or maybe I just got out of the bed the wrong side today...

[luke111s]

SLS doesn't interest me at all, if it were my money I would have an SLR over the SLS.

richardgrace75 said:

Back end looks very similar to the Speed 12 Cerbera when it was featured on Top Gear... In my opinion anyway.

Good call and a much more interesting car IMO.

Edited by luke111s on Friday 24th August 12:56

[jason61c]

richb77 said:

Is there a market for these Black editions?

Who buys them?

I'm just thinking aloud as they must cost a fair whack to develop and I cant imagine many people would choose one over a very tasty AMG. I certainly wouldn't.

All I think of when I think "AMG black" is Top gears reviews where they are basically un-drivable at speed due to too much power and a lack of grip....

I just had to sit down...

All light headed....

I cant believe I said "too much power" I always thought there was no such thing!

the idiot clarkson bought one, on the show they say how well they drive in normal conditions, that's what helps make them so special.

[405dogvan]

jason61c said:

the idiot clarkson bought one, on the show they say how well they drive in normal conditions, that's what helps make them so special.

Those words are from the English language, but the order of them is perplexing...

I think he's saying "Jeremy Clarkson, a man who I don't like and so will insult for no apparent reason, bought a CLK Black Series and whilst he loves it, he's admitted on many occasions that it's utterly impractical and has the ride quality of a Fordson Tractor on it's rims"

I think...

[Dave Hedgehog]

the new SLS Phallus

[monthefish]

richb77 said:

Is there a market for these Black editions?

Who buys them?

I would.

IMO the SL65 Black is one of the best looking cars in recent times, and if I were in the market for something around that price, it'd definitely be on the shortlist.

I also have a strong desire for the CLK Black Edition.


Objectively, you can't justify the price hike over a 'regular' AMG, but this happens regularly throughout the car world.

Is a GT3RS 4.0 really worth £100,000 more than a GT3RS 3.8?
No, but doesn't stop them from selling (nor stop me from wanting one)

[Pistonwot]

At least its not adhering to the "Generic supercar" shape everyone else is using.

[nadirv8]

richardgrace75 said:

Back end looks very similar to the Speed 12 Cerbera when it was featured on Top Gear... In my opinion anyway.

crazy, I was thinking actually that the front reminded me of the S12. perhaps its the shape and color combo that makes it look like the body is folding inwards.

[Frimley111R]

Fetchez la vache said:

I guess I'm in the minority here, but give me a car with a third of the weight, a third of the powaaaar that's nimble and chuckable round country lanes any day of the week than these things that seem to be (for the majority of owners) a status symbol to be parked outside Harrods all day or maybe I just got out of the bed the wrong side today...

No I don't think you are but some people like these hugely powerful, lagfe cars packed with everything but the kitchen sink. Each to their own. I'd like one of these and my Elise!

[handbraketurn]

I just can't get excited about this car, I should do, it ticks so many boxes.

They're so big and barge like, so much other exotic metal I would rather spend the bucks on.

[jason61c]

405dogvan said:

Those words are from the English language, but the order of them is perplexing...

I think he's saying "Jeremy Clarkson, a man who I don't like and so will insult for no apparent reason, bought a CLK Black Series and whilst he loves it, he's admitted on many occasions that it's utterly impractical and has the ride quality of a Fordson Tractor on it's rims"

I think...

Yes that's correct, its nice to have a troll on every thread.