The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is already a legend, a modern-day icon that evokes the spirit of the classic 300SL Gullwing. But for those who demand the absolute pinnacle of performance and a truly visceral driving experience, Mercedes-AMG unleashed the 2014 SLS AMG Black Series. This isn’t just a car; it’s a statement, a symphony of engineering prowess and unadulterated passion, designed to dominate both the road and the track. Inspired by the formidable SLS AMG GT3 race car, this fifth iteration of the Black Series lineage takes the SLS AMG to an entirely new echelon of athleticism and driving dynamics. With a relentless focus on lightweight construction and breathtaking power, the SLS AMG Black Series is the embodiment of AMG’s “Driving Performance” philosophy.
Image: Front view of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series showcasing its aggressive aerodynamics and carbon fiber accents, emphasizing its high-performance sports car nature.
Motorsport DNA for the Road: Unleashing Unrivaled Performance
The SLS AMG Black Series is more than just a modified road car; it’s a direct descendant of motorsport engineering. Mercedes-AMG has taken the lessons learned from the global success of the SLS AMG GT3 customer racing program and poured them into this exceptional machine. The result is a car that blurs the lines between road-going supercar and track-ready weapon. Ola Källenius, former Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, aptly described it as “a perfect study in the one hundred percent transfer of technology and engineering from motorsport to road,” emphasizing the deep connection to racing pedigree.
Tobias Moers, incoming CEO and former Head of Total Vehicle Development at Mercedes-AMG, highlighted the car’s comprehensive high-tech package, stating that it provides “the basis for passionate performance and supreme driving dynamics.” This performance isn’t just about raw power; it’s a holistic approach encompassing engine, transmission, suspension, and aerodynamics, all meticulously optimized for maximum thrill and precision.
The Heart of a Beast: The AMG 6.3-Liter V8 Engine
At the core of the SLS AMG Black Series lies the legendary AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine, a naturally aspirated masterpiece renowned for its exhilarating responsiveness and high-revving character. But for the Black Series, AMG engineers pushed the boundaries even further, extracting a staggering 622 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque. This makes it the most potent AMG high-performance automobile with a combustion engine, second only to the all-electric SLS AMG Electric Drive in the SLS lineup.
Image: Close-up of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series engine bay, highlighting the powerful AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine and its performance-oriented components.
Compared to the already impressive 583 hp of the SLS AMG GT, the Black Series gains an additional 39 hp through a series of meticulous enhancements:
- Increased Engine Speed: The maximum engine speed has been elevated from 7,200 to a screaming 8,000 rpm, allowing the engine to breathe even more freely at the top end.
- Revised Valve Train: A fully revised high-speed valve train incorporates modified camshaft geometry and optimized bucket cam followers with a special coating, technology typically reserved for race vehicles, ensuring durability and efficiency at high RPMs.
- Optimized Intake Air Ducting: De-throttling and adaptation of the intake air ducting are tailored to match the new, higher maximum engine speed, maximizing airflow and power.
- Engine Mapping and Intake Pressure: Fine-tuned engine mapping and increased intake pressure further contribute to the power boost and responsiveness.
Beyond these power-enhancing modifications, AMG engineers reinforced the crankshaft assembly for extreme track use, incorporating modified oil bores, new bearings, a new oil pump, and high-strength connecting rod bolts. The entire cooling system for both engine and transmission was also further optimized to withstand the rigors of high-performance driving.
To enhance stability during aggressive maneuvers, the SLS AMG Black Series features a specialized gas-filled strut bracing the engine against the body, effectively minimizing unwanted load shifts during hard cornering and rapid acceleration. True to AMG tradition, the 6.3-liter V8 engine is hand-built in Affalterbach, Germany, adhering to the “one man, one engine” philosophy. The black AMG engine badge, signed by the craftsman who assembled it, proudly signifies this hallmark of Black Series models.
The result of these meticulous enhancements is breathtaking performance. The SLS AMG Black Series catapults from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 196 mph, delivering a driving experience that is both visceral and exhilarating. The newly designed AMG sport exhaust system, crafted for the first time from titanium, not only enhances performance but also unleashes a more potent and captivating engine sound, further amplifying the car’s sports character.
Lightweight Performance: The Pursuit of Agility
The “AMG Lightweight Performance” strategy is central to the SLS AMG Black Series’ identity. With a curb weight of just 3,417 pounds, it is a remarkable 154 pounds lighter than the standard SLS AMG. This relentless pursuit of weight reduction results in an exceptional power-to-weight ratio of 5.49 lb/hp, a figure that places it among the elite super sports cars.
Image: Detail shot of the carbon fiber components on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series, highlighting the lightweight materials used in its construction.
Numerous body parts are constructed from CFRP (carbon-fiber reinforced plastic), including the hood, rear panel, diagonal underbody braces, and the torque tube connecting the engine and transmission. The carbon-fiber torque tube alone saves nearly 30 pounds compared to its aluminum counterpart. A CFRP driveshaft, weighing a mere 10.4 pounds, further contributes to weight savings, as does the adoption of a lithium-ion battery, shaving off another 17.6 pounds.
Enhanced Drivetrain and Dynamics: Precision and Control
The AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission, a key component in the SLS AMG’s dynamic prowess, is further refined in the Black Series. Installed lower in the chassis for a reduced center of gravity and braced by gas-filled struts, the transmission offers four drive modes: C, S, S+, and M. The “Sport plus” and “Manual” modes are even more aggressive than in the standard SLS AMG, delivering faster shift speeds and quicker response to driver inputs.
The transmission also features an exhilarating automatic rev-matching function during downshifts, creating more pronounced and dramatic throttle blips, especially amplified by the AMG titanium sports exhaust system. A temporary M mode allows drivers to momentarily engage manual shifting in automatic modes by simply using the shift paddles, offering greater control without fully switching to manual mode.
A new electronically controlled AMG rear-axle differential lock, replacing the mechanical version, further enhances traction and handling. This system provides variable locking effect under acceleration and deceleration, reacting more quickly and precisely to changing driving conditions. The electronic differential lock also contributes to safety by enhancing stability during high-speed maneuvers.
Track-Focused Chassis and Suspension: Corner Carving Prowess
The chassis and suspension of the SLS AMG Black Series are meticulously engineered for track domination. While retaining the aluminum double wishbone layout, virtually every component has been upgraded for enhanced performance:
- AMG Adaptive Performance Suspension: Features a stiffer basic setup and electronically controlled two-stage shocks (Sport, Sport +), allowing drivers to fine-tune the suspension to their driving style and track conditions.
- Coil-Over Spring Suspension: Enables precise adjustment of wheel loads for individual race track setups, a feature typically found in dedicated race cars.
- Stiffer Elastokinematics: Increased rigidity in the elastokinematics (50/42% front/rear) enhances stability in corners, reducing body roll and improving responsiveness.
- Wider Track: Increased track width (0.8/0.9 inches front/rear) provides added grip and stability, particularly in high-speed corners.
- Optimized Front Axle: New front wheel mounts and stabilizer tuning further enhance grip and reduce body roll.
- Lightweight Forged Wheels: AMG 10-spoke forged alloy wheels, finished in matte black with a high-gloss finish, reduce unsprung mass, improving handling and responsiveness.
- Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Tires: Newly developed Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 sports tires provide exceptional grip and cornering prowess, essential for track performance.
- AMG Speed-Sensitive Steering: Revised power steering characteristics offer optimal steering precision and control, crucial for confident handling at high speeds.
Braking performance is equally paramount in a car of this caliber. The SLS AMG Black Series features a standard AMG high-performance ceramic two-piece brake system, providing exceptional stopping power and thermal stability. These ceramic brakes are significantly lighter than conventional steel brakes, further reducing unsprung mass and improving handling.
Design Inspired by Racing: Form Follows Function
The visual design of the SLS AMG Black Series is directly inspired by the SLS AMG GT3 race car, reflecting its motorsport DNA. Flared fenders accommodate wider sports tires, while tinted headlights and blacked-out rear light surrounds contribute to an aggressive stance. Aerodynamic balance is optimized through front, rear, and side skirts, along with a prominent rear diffuser, all designed in the signature Black Series style and incorporating extensive use of CFRP.
Image: Rear view of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series emphasizing the large rear wing, diffuser, and aggressive styling elements that enhance aerodynamics and performance.
The carbon-fiber hood features a central air outlet, effectively dissipating engine heat while also increasing downforce at the front axle. The side carbon-fiber inserts with air outlets, reminiscent of the GT3 racer, aid in cooling the engine compartment, ensuring consistent performance even under demanding track conditions. Matte black AMG forged wheels in a signature ten-spoke design complete the exterior transformation, hinting at the immense performance capabilities lurking beneath.
An optional AMG Aerodynamics package takes the visual and performance enhancements even further, replacing the standard wind deflector with an adjustable carbon-fiber rear wing. This wing, coupled with additional carbon-fiber flics on the front skirt, generates even greater downforce, particularly beneficial for track driving.
Performance-Oriented Interior: Driver-Focused Cockpit
The interior of the SLS AMG Black Series is a blend of high-quality materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and a clear focus on performance. Two color variants are available, both featuring designo leather and Alcantara®. The AMG Performance steering wheel, wrapped entirely in Alcantara® for optimal grip, features a flattened bottom rim and a red 12 o’clock marking.
Image: Interior view of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series showcasing the Alcantara steering wheel, sport bucket seats, carbon fiber trim, and driver-focused cockpit design.
Carbon fiber accents adorn the center console and other interior elements, while red seat belts and contrasting stitching add sporty visual highlights. Optional AMG sports bucket seats, featuring Alcantara® inserts and embossed AMG logos, provide exceptional lateral support during spirited driving. For the purist seeking ultimate weight reduction, the COMAND multimedia system could be deleted, replaced by a carbon-fiber trim element, further emphasizing the car’s track-focused nature.
For audiophiles, the optional Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end surround sound system offers an exceptional audio experience, blending luxury with performance.
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series is not just a car; it’s an experience. It’s the ultimate expression of AMG’s commitment to “Driving Performance,” a machine that delivers unparalleled thrills and track-ready capabilities in a package that is both breathtakingly beautiful and relentlessly focused on speed. For those seeking the most extreme and engaging sports car experience, the SLS AMG Black Series stands alone.
