The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series sets a new benchmark for the automaker.
Mercedes-Benz offers plenty of performance vehicles through its partnership with AMG, but none may be more desired or inspiring as the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series — and the 2021 model takes that new a new level.
The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is powered by the most powerful AMG V8 series engine of all time: a 4.0-liter V8 biturbo motor with dry sump lubrication and new flat-plane crankshaft. It puts out 720 horsepower between 6,700-6,900 rpm and 590 pound-feet of maximum torque across a huge range of 2,000 to 6,000 rpm.
The new model achieves a top speed of 202 mph, and you’ll get nearly a third of the way there – 60 mph – from a standing start in just 3.1 seconds. The car will get to 124 mph in just six seconds and the automaker warns that reaching the top speed “is only sensible on closed-off racetracks.” All are significant upgrades from the original iteration.
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The new AMG GT Black tops out at 202 mph and races from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds.
“The new GT Black Series is our latest automotive highlight and continues a tradition established in 2006. The sixth iteration of its kind is another AMG milestone and impressive proof of the incredible development expertise in Affalterbach,” said Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board at Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
“I am proud of the team who have created this unique super sports car, which now represents the absolute peak of our successful GT family. The performance, appearance and driving dynamics of the GT Black Series are second to none. This project was a fantastic end to my work at AMG, for which I am truly thankful.”
The biggest change in the 2021 model comes in the aforementioned 4.0-liter V8 powerplant. The team was given a very straightforward mandate: better, faster, stronger. The result is a vehicle with significantly more power than the previous flagship model of the AMG GT family, an even more agile throttle response, maximum torque. The new flat-plane crankshaft made that happen, the company said.
All of that power is funneled through the AMG Speedshift DCT 7-speed dual clutch transmission. As much thought went into this as did the engine as evidence by the fact it’s located on the rear axle in a transaxle arrangement for optimal weight distribution. Used by all AMG GT two-door models, this version was specially modified for use in the AMG GT Black Series and adapted to the increased torque of 590 lb-ft. The previous limits governing shift performance and response time have been extended, making them more suitable for racetracks.
A 4.0-liter V8 biturbo powers the new model, putting out 720 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque.
The GT Black is really designed for the racetrack, not only under the hood, but also on the exterior. The engineers drew inspiration from a racecar so aerodynamically its slippery. However, they didn’t stop there it naturally features all of the splitters and adaptive wings and other affectations, but they also used concepts straight from the AMG GT3 and GT4 racers on this model.
The new model has a significantly larger radiator air inlet, which feed the wheel arch coolers, eliminating the need for two additional outer air inlets in the front bumper. Semicircular flics optimize the flow of air increasing downforce at the front axle and improving brake cooling. The ‘air curtains’ control and direct the flow towards the wheels. Together with the flics in front of the wheels, these enhancements reduce the drag coefficient and increase downforce.
All of the downforce is likely necessary since the vehicle is as light as possible, clad in as much ultra-light carbon fiber as can be used. You don’t have to look hard to find it, staring with the roof and rear hatch. In addition to the carbon fiber, other lightweight components were used as well, including the lightweight glass rear windshield and laminated front windshield.
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Even with all of the lightweighting the car is incredibly stable due to carbon-fiber shear panels in the front section, underbody and rear that stiffen the entire aluminum body shell structure working In concert with the lightweight integral carrier and the carbon-fiber cross tunnel. This stability means a more agile vehicle allowing for a high level of driving precision.
The Black Series borrows plenty of its exterior functional design from the AMG GT3 and GT4 race cars, including the air intakes that help cool the brakes.
Mercedes-AMG doesn’t just rely on the structure to help the driver with control, technology plays a massive role. Perhaps nothing is more critical to that than the AMG Traction Control, which can be shut off when on the track. However, having the ability to buy this car doesn’t come with the ability to drive this car safely. The traction control enables the driver to get individual support for controlling the immense power of the Black Series – and without any ESP brake intervention whatsoever, the company notes. Just as importantly, the level of support can be tuned to the needs and ability of the driver.
It has been “extensively tailored” to meet the requirements of the new Black Series and allows preselection of one of nine slip settings on the live rear axle. Control is exclusively via corresponding maps in the engine electronics and without any intervention in the ESP system, as is also the case with the GT3 racing car.
Unsurprisingly, it anticipates situations with the help of a friction coefficient evaluator and other data processed by a control unit within a fraction of a second. The maximum permissible drive slip on the rear wheels is calculated depending on the level selected.
The specialized seats are covered in black nappa leather and a contrasting orange stitching.
When the wheels reach this level of slip during acceleration, the traction control modulates the engine output so that this level is not exceeded, and the vehicle continues accelerating with this specified slip. The system’s algorithms have been developed as a double control variable model and not only control the engine’s drive torque, but also the locking level of the electronic differential lock.
Driving a high-performance machine is great, especially when it looks the part like the Black Series, and it carries over to the vehicle’s interior. Covered in exclusive nappa leather, the interior also combines sporty DINAMICA microfiber in black with orange contrasting topstitching. The instrument panel and the newly designed lightweight door panels are now equipped with loop pull handles instead of conventional handles and trimmed in black DINAMICA microfiber. Further orange contrasting topstitching, matte black carbon-fiber trim and the Interior Night Package add further interior highlights.
While it is track-ready, the inside is not uncivilized, offering convenience features other Mercedes owners enjoy. It comes with fully digital instrument displays from the AMG GT family with an instrument cluster measuring 12.3 inches in front of the driver, and a 10.25-inch multimedia display on the center console.
The instrument cluster offers different designs with three AMG-specific display styles: Classic, Sporty or Supersport. The Supersport view with a central rev counter features extensive additional information, such as a prompt to shift up in manual transmission mode, the shift light. The multimedia display can display other functions such as animated presentations of the driving assistance, vehicle and communication systems.
The car is track ready and races from 0 to 124 mph in only six seconds.
Because the car track-ready, its colored display buttons in the V-shaped center console integrate the display and control of transmission logic, suspension, ESP, exhaust system, rear spoiler flap and start/stop function. The TFT display buttons use intuitive symbols to show their functions and are easy to operate with a small tap of the finger. As they have a mechanical pressure point, they can also be operated while wearing racing gloves.
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The company hasn’t released pricing information on the new model, but it’s likely one of the best examples of “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.”
