It seemed especially unfortunate timing for AMG that its latest Black Series, the incredible GT, launched at about the same time as the equally incredible 765LT. In any other year they might have enjoyed the limelight seperately - but now, with a desire to ensure product launches are somewhere on schedule, a lot of new cars are being crammed into not much time.
And so inevitably comparisons are being made, the AMG coming off worse against the 765 for the moment as the more expensive, less powerful, perhaps slightly old fashioned take on the track-ready supercar. This video from sportauto should help redress the balance somewhat. At the Hockenheim GP circuit, where it records most of its timed laps, the Black Series has laid down a 1:43.3. Which is almost 2.5 seconds faster than a 488 Pista (both on a Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R) and even a couple of tenths ahead of the Manthey-tweaked 991 GT2 RS, the production car lap record holder at the Nordschleife. And you thought the aero kit was just for show...
The lap itself is mensmerising. Obviously there's the completely altered AMG GT soundtrack thanks to the new flat plane crank - a motorsport blare in place of an old school rumble - but also previously unknown precision for one of these cars on a circuit. Everything from the GT R has been pretty good - this is on another planet. There appears to be almost limitless front-end grip, the Black Series turning in and staying glued to its line seemingly regardless of entry speed or corner radius. Traction is only challenged out of the super tight, first-gear hairpin; otherwise it's the anti-AMG almost, immaculately well behaved away from turns. And then it's at the next bend already because, well, 730hp tends to do that.
Perhaps the most telling stat of all from the Black Series' remarkable performance is that sportauto tested a GT R Pro at Hockenheim (a car it has got around the 'ring in 7:06) last year and only managed a 1:48. Or almost five seconds adrift of the new car. That's how capable it is. Which means only two questions remain: what can the 765LT do at Hockenheim? And what on earth might the AMG be able to achieve on the Nordschleife? We're ready and waiting, sportauto...