The car’s bi-turbo V8 was one of its highlights. The flat-plane crank, 4.0-liter lump produces 720 brake horsepower or 730 metric horses/537 kilowatts. The torque figure is 590 pound-feet (800 Nm), and everything is routed to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. If you ask the Affalterbach brand how fast it is, they will tell you that it takes only 3.2 seconds to accelerate from a standstill to 62 mph (100 kph). The speedometer will read 124 mph less than nine seconds after takeoff (200 kph). Keep your right foot planted, and it will run out of breath at 202 mph (325 kph).
The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, like its GT R sibling, which was also discontinued, has coilover suspension. It has adaptive damping, adjustable camber, and anti-roll bars, as well as a much stiffer body, which translates to better performance during apex-feeding sessions because it was designed to be fast not only in a straight line, but also on twisty roads. When you press the left pedal, the carbon ceramic brakes with motorsport pads and discs engage, which the automakers claim are optimised for “temperature stability” and “fade resistance.” Precise steering with clear feedback was also mentioned in the car’s official press release during the grand unveiling, as well as the dedicated driving modes available to those behind the wheel with the push of a button.
In addition to the powerful engine, clever suspension, and upgraded brakes, the GT Black Series is lighter and more aerodynamic. Due to the updated design, it generates over 882 pounds (400 kg) of downforce at 155 mph (250 kph). It has a much more aggressive vented hood, big grille, carbon fibre canards, and an adjustable apron, just like real racers from the GT3 and GT4 series. The side skirts are thicker, and the rear diffuser is larger. When we’re talking about big things, we can’t ignore the massive wing mounted at the back. To keep the weight of the car under control, these were all made of the aforementioned material, as were the tailboard and other components. Thinner windows are part of the makeover, and it features 10-spoke alloys measuring 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear. The wheels were wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires.
Compared to the radical look of the exterior, and the important upgrades carried beneath the skin, the interior is actually quite restrained. That does not mean that it doesn’t have any novelties compared to the rest of the two-door GT lineup, as it was equipped with carbon fiber bucket seats that sport a lot of side bolstering and integrated headrests. These were wrapped in Nappa leather and microfiber upholstery, complete with the occasional contrast stitching for a livelier look. Carbon fiber trim is visible throughout the interior. We should also mention the redesigned door cards with pull handles part of the weight-saving measures, and new steering wheel wrapped in microfiber. As an option, the three-pointed star brand used to offer the AMG Track Package, with four-point harnesses, titanium roll cage, and a fire extinguisher. However, this bundle was not available in the United States.
At launch, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series was a $325,000 affair in our market, before the $1,050 destination charge, or nearly twice as much as the GT R. Not long after deliveries commenced, insane dealer markups almost doubled the MSRPs, hence the occasional copy that was listed for grabs for some $600,000. The pictured one, however, is not ‘that’ expensive, but it is still insanely costly. We found it advertised by Hollmann, which is willing to let it go in exchange for €458,150 or almost $500,000 at today’s exchange rates. It has 520 miles (837 km) under its belt, a first registration dating back to March of 2022, and it is presented in orange on top of the dark leather and Alcantara interior.
Now, assuming you’d be in the market for an extremely fun-to-drive car built to devour apexes, which was made in a limited number, would you actually spend that much money on this Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series? We don’t know about you, but something in the veins of the Lamborghini Aventador, for much less than that, sounds more appealing to us. Either that or TWO Huracans. Or something from Ferrari while we’re at it, because as hot as this German machine may be, it’s not as exciting as a real blue-blooded beast.
