SLS AMG Black Series
was, arguably, the finest application of the old 6.2-litre M159 V8. With 631hp it was apocalyptically quick with a soundtrack (and price tag) to match.
So how is Affalterbach to beat that with its new poster boy, the
AMG GT
? Can two turbochargers make up for over two litres less swept capacity? This gives us a preview of the answer.
Here is a heavily wrapped, but essentially unadulterated, AMG GT Black Series. Well, hopefully. You might need to squint a bit, but it's a significant step forward from even the 510hp AMG GT S.
From the deep front splitter with race-car reinforcement to the unconventional secondary front canards aft of the front wheel arch, this Black Series looks almost illegal. And that Gurney flap? Pure race car.
But this will be a road car and should be confirmed by the end of the year. Moreover, this being an AMG Black, expect a suitably ludicrous power figure.
Autocar is speculating a 10 per cent lift to around 550hp, but could the final total top that? While Tobias Moers has used the 'power to weight' line when speculating over the possible improvements between SLS and GT Black cars, the M178 'hot V' is easily capable of so much more than that.
Any lap time guesses? Anyone care?
Speaking to V8 engine developer Thomas Ramsteiner last September about the potential of the new engine and its AMG A45 underpinnings, he revealed: "It's very strong and the cooling system is very robust. We're currently working to a limit of 130bar of crankcase pressure, but it's really much stronger and can run to 140bar easily."
And how much more compression is that? What kind of power is possible? "Well, look at how much one 2.0-litre engine makes in the A45 AMG and just double it, if you want to guess..." That would be 720hp, if you're wondering. Even with a slight loss for packaging and heat management, maybe 10 per cent, that would still leave 648hp. Which is considerably more than 550hp. Maybe the truth is somewhere between the two. Because rarely, if ever, have the Germans launched a new halo car with less power than its predecessor. Let's see when the official announcement arrives.