Thursday 23rd November 2017

Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series: Spotted

A blast from Affalterbach's outrageous past...

---

Those who remember the German tuner products of yesteryear, cars like the RUF Yellowbird and AMG Hammer, could be forgiven for thinking today’s offerings seem somewhat staid in comparison. They may produce enough horsepower to make a Triple Crown winner jealous, but all the drift modes in the world can’t dispell a nagging feeling that they’re somehow too accesible, too competent, too sanitised.

Well, for people like you, there’s the Black Series - Affalterbach’s attempt to restore some insanity to proceedings. Having begun steadily with the somewhat peculiar choice of a souped up SL55, the Black Series really found its feet with this, the CLK63. With its 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 putting out 514hp - up from 488hp in the standard AMG - and 465lb ft, it was capable of hitting 62mph in 4.3 seconds before going on to a top speed of 186mph.

Aside from increased power, the CLK Black's body was lighter, thanks to carbon fibre reinforced plastic for the interior panels and centre console, and forged aluminium wheels weighing just 11kg a piece. Almost managing to compensate for the stronger internals required to deal with all that grunt.

On track, where it was designed to take on the 911 GT3, it gained a reputation for being incredibly quick, although rather willing to step out of line. Magnificent in the right hands and a bit of a handful in the wrong ones, this was a car that rewarded driving ability, instead of falsely enhancing it.

It looked the part too, with those multi-spoke rims, a new front splitter, huge carbon fibre diffuser and dramatically flared wheel arches, accommodating its wider track, the Black Series was as close to a DTM car for the road as it got - except for the CLK DTM Coupe, perhaps...

With prices for those currently up in the stratosphere though, the £90,000 asked for one of the 25 UK Black Series cars seems almost reasonable. Not only as an exceptional driving machine and highly collectable piece of Mercedes’ history, but as a step back in time to when an AMG special's power and handling bias was intended to keep you on your toes.

---

SPECIFICATION - MERCEDES CLK63 AMG BLACK SERIES

Engine: 6,208cc, V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 514@6,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 464@5,250rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 32,000miles
Price new: £100,000
Yours for: £89,950

See the original advert here

[Eviltad]

Yes!

I always have a little browse of the classifieds for a Black Series and see they are "creeping" up in value but not silly money yet.

Definitely Rarer than the C63 Black Series which I seem to see frequently.