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Be a speed racer: Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series

If you've got a high-end speed racer inside you just waiting to be set free and a wad of cash at the ready, Mercedes has a top-of-the-line super sports car that you can drive through town or at the racetrack. The new 720-hp Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is sleek and powerful, doing 0 to 60 in 3.1 sec with a design that stems directly from the current AMG GT3 racing car. Top speed is 202 mph.

The designers have added more power, more agile throttle response, and maximum torque to the AMG line's tried-and-tested 4.0-liter V8 biturbo powerplant by incorporating a new, flat-plane crankshaft design, where all crankpins are on the same plane with a 180-degree offset. Mercedes says the benefits of this crankshaft setup include "superb smoothness and high torque at low rotational speeds" and also a characteristic sound.

In the flat-plane V8 engine, it looks like an inline four-cylinder model -- except for the wider crankpins, which have two connecting rods each in the V8. Ignition in the flat-plane V8 jumps from one cylinder bank to the next, which further improves the gas cycle. The characteristic firing order with a 180-degree crankshaft angle offset is 1-8-2-7 4-5-3-6. This creates uniformly oscillating gas columns in the exhaust tract and on the intake side, and that resonance can easily be used to increase performance. An even greater advantage is a more agile throttle response.

The GT Black achieves 720 hp at 6,700 to 6,900 rpm and delivers a maximum torque of 590 lb-ft at 2,000 to 6,000 rpm. New camshafts and exhaust manifolds are adapted to the new firing order and further improve the gas cycle.

Both twin-scroll exhaust turbochargers are mounted in anti-friction bearings, as in the top-of-the-range four-door AMG GT Coupe, which optimizes their throttle response even further. However, in the GT Black Series, the turbochargers have been given a larger compressor wheel, meaning that both can deliver a total of 24.6 psi.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels via the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed dual clutch transmission, which is located on the rear axle in a transaxle arrangement for optimal weight distribution, as is the case for all AMG GT 2-door models. It has been 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.

The Race Start function is now even more impressive, thanks to the increased starting revs, the more sensitive wheel slip control, and the high-performance tires fit for the racetrack. Furthermore, the transmission cooling has been adapted to the tougher requirements, and the transmission ratios have also been slightly modified.

Another interesting enhancement is the "torque tube," which creates the connection between the engine and the transmission. It is made of carbon fiber and, at just 30.6 lb, is around 40 percent lighter than its already weight-optimized aluminum counterpart in the AMG GT. As a structural component of the transaxle drivetrain, it creates an extremely torsionally stiff connection between the engine and the transmission. It allows for a direct connection of the drivetrain that is favorable to the driving dynamics and also plays a role in the vehicle's balanced weight distribution. The drive shaft that rotates inside is also made from lightweight carbon fiber.

The similarity to the AMG GT3 and AMG GT4 racing cars is visually and technically stronger than ever before. It starts with the new, significantly larger radiator air inlet, which stems directly from the AMG GT3 racing car. The radiator trim has vertical slats in dark chrome, and now that the wheel arch coolers are also fed with air directly via the central inlet, there is no need for two additional outer air inlets in the front bumper.

The carbon-fiber front splitter has two manually adjustable settings (Street and Race, with Race exclusively for use on racetracks), and can be adapted to meet various track requirements. When extended forward (Race position), a front diffuser in the shape of a reversed wing profile is created under the front section. Depending on the driving speed, this element is lowered even farther by the rising negative pressure, which significantly accelerates the air flow on the underbody, creating a Venturi effect, which also draws the car closer to the road and increases downforce on the front axle.

The rear view is characterized by the new rear bumper with a large diffuser, two rounded twin-tailpipe trims on the outside left and right, side wheel arch ventilation, and the innovative rear spoiler design. Both spoiler blades are made from carbon fiber and can be mechanically adjusted to adapt to various track conditions. The second, lower-positioned blade was made particularly small and narrow because the designers determined this is ideal for the air arriving from the front of the car.

The active flap in the upper blade is electronically adjusted by 20 degrees to suit the driving situation and selected AMG DYNAMICS mode. In a flat position, it reduces the air resistance to help reach top speed more quickly. In the inclined position, the flap improves braking performance and cornering stability thanks to increased downforce at the rear axle. Four different activation strategies can be run, depending on which AMG DYNAMICS setting of Basic, Advanced, Pro, or Master has been selected.

The detailed aerodynamic work also includes the now almost fully paneled underbody, which must not only meet aerodynamic requirements, but thermal ones (heat dissipation) as well. The flat underbody is equipped with specially designed longitudinal fins. These air channels have been meticulously optimized to ensure optimal air flow to the rear diffuser. The entire package accelerates air flow, significantly increasing downforce. All measures are coordinated and interact with the new rear spoiler design. The result of all these measures is a downforce level of well over 882 lb at 155 mph.

The lightweight carbon-fiber roof, with a lowered center, as well as the carbon-fiber rear hatch with small spoiler lip and larger rear windshield made from lightweight glass, are all key components of an intelligent material mix focused on lightweight construction. The coiled carbon-fiber transmission mount is an exclusive Black Series component. Additional carbon-fiber shear panels in the front section, underbody, and rear stiffen the entire aluminum body shell structure, together with the lightweight integral carrier and the carbon-fiber cross tunnel, making the body shell even more stable.

The standard ceramic high-performance compound brake system with black painted brake calipers and white lettering is also characterized by low weight and high performance. Special brake pads and rotors together with modified brake cooling guarantee optimal and non-fading deceleration as well as high-precision brake application. The standard light-alloy forged wheels (19-in. front and 20-in. rear) also contribute to weight reduction.

As with the AMG GT R, an AMG coil-over suspension with adjustable spring preload is used in the Black Series, with technology adapted to meet the specific requirements for extreme race track use with high damping forces. The technology from motorsport is combined with the AMG RIDE CONTROL continuously variable, adaptive damping system. The system is electronically controlled and automatically adapts the damping on each wheel to the current handling situation, the speed, and the road conditions. The damping characteristics are modulated rapidly and precisely by two separate valves for the rebound and compression forces in the dampers. These valves are new and are also based on motorsport technology. They react to fast suspension movements in an even more agile manner.

The driver can also adjust the adaptive damping characteristics at the touch of a button in the AMG DRIVE UNIT or by using the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive modes. Three modes are available: Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus.

For use on closed-off racetracks in ESP OFF mode, the AMG TRACTION CONTROL enables the driver to get individual support for controlling the immense power of the Black Series -- without any ESP brake intervention whatsoever. The level of support can be fine-tuned, providing the ideal level of assistance for each driver and each track. It is operated via a separate adjuster in the central console. It can also be operated while wearing racing gloves from its central position in the dashboard. Depending on the setting, the system permits more or less slip on the rear wheels, which is very helpful in a variety of road conditions. Level 1 is programmed for driving in the wet with high safety reserves. Level 9 allows maximum slip on the rear axle.

The interior design emphasizes the "pole position" of the AMG GT Black Series: Exclusive nappa leather is combined with sporty DINAMICA microfiber in black with orange contrasting topstitching. The instrument panel and the newly designed lightweight door panels, which are now equipped with loop pull handles instead of conventional handles, are trimmed in black DINAMICA microfiber.Orange contrasting topstitching, matte black carbon-fiber trim, and the Interior Night Package are interior highlights. AMG Performance seats combine low weight with optimum lateral support. The AMG Performance steering wheel is also adopted from the AMG GT family.

The AMG GT Black Series features the fully digital instrument displays from the AMG GT family with an instrument cluster measuring 12.3 in. in front of the driver and a 10.25-in. multimedia display on the center console. The instrument cluster offers different designs with three AMG-specific display styles that each include their own animations: Classic, Sporty, or Supersport.

The innovative, 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 finger tap. As they have a mechanical pressure point, they can also be operated while wearing racing gloves. The display buttons are supplemented by the two rocker switches for the drive programs and volume control of the audio system.

Pretty sweet, huh? So what's this going to cost? Available in a choice of nine exclusive AMG Magma Beam Paint colors, the limited-edition Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series should arrive in the United States in early 2021. U.S. pricing has not been released, but in Europe it has just been announced to be €335,240 -- or a whopping $389,000.

Whew! You can get a pair of "regular" Mercedes-AMG GT Rs for that. But then again, you deserve the best. It's been a rough year.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Published August 2020

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