The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series isn’t just a car; it’s a statement. It’s the embodiment of raw power, cutting-edge technology, and a relentless pursuit of performance. Born from the legendary Black Series lineage, this vehicle represents the pinnacle of AMG engineering, pushing boundaries and redefining what a super sports car can be. Affalterbach’s engineers have truly outdone themselves, crafting a machine that is as breathtaking to behold as it is exhilarating to drive. This is not merely an evolution; it’s a revolution in automotive design and performance, directly inspired by the brand’s unparalleled motorsport heritage and expertise. The result? A 720 hp monster, roaring to life with a Handcrafted AMG V8 engine featuring a flat-plane crankshaft, sculpted with active aerodynamics, and designed with the DNA of the AMG GT3 racing car coursing through its veins.
Since 2006, the Black Series badge at Mercedes-AMG has signified something truly special: uncompromising sportiness, aggressive aesthetics, and the most direct infusion of motorsport technology into a production vehicle. These are not cars destined for static display; Black Series models are built for the track, engineered for high-speed thrills, yet still possess the soul of a road-legal machine. The AMG GT Black Series elevates this ethos to new heights, standing as the most potent Mercedes-AMG V8 series production car ever created.
To achieve this quantum leap in super sports car performance, the engine specialists in Affalterbach embarked on an extensive redevelopment of the already acclaimed 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine. Despite its reputation for exceptional responsiveness, power delivery, and formidable torque, the team aimed for more – significantly more. The mandate was clear: surpass the AMG GT family’s previous flagship in power, sharpen throttle response to a razor’s edge, and maximize torque. This ambitious goal necessitated a fundamental shift – the adoption of a flat-plane crankshaft.
“The new GT Black Series is our latest automotive masterpiece, continuing a lineage that began in 2006,” states Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board at Mercedes-AMG GmbH. “This sixth iteration is another AMG landmark, a testament to the remarkable engineering prowess within Affalterbach. I am immensely proud of the team who have conceived this extraordinary super sports car, which now sits at the apex of our successful GT family. The performance, the visual impact, and the driving dynamics of the GT Black Series are simply unmatched. This project is a phenomenal culmination to my tenure at AMG, for which I am deeply grateful.”
The Heart of the Beast: A Distinctive V8 Engine Design
The architecture of a V8 engine offers designers a critical element for manipulation: the crankshaft’s crank arrangement. This arrangement is pivotal in shaping the engine’s character. V8 engines commonly employ one of two crankshaft configurations: the ‘cross-plane’ and the ‘flat-plane’. AMG, in all its prior V8 engines, has utilized the ‘cross-plane’ design, where the crankpins of paired cylinders are set at 90-degree intervals. Conversely, in a ‘flat-plane crankshaft’, all crankpins lie on a single plane, offset by 180 degrees.
Observing a cross-plane crankshaft head-on reveals the ‘cross’ that lends it its name. These crankshafts are celebrated for their exceptional smoothness and robust low-end torque. The distinctive, deep rumble is another signature characteristic of the cross-plane V8 engine. To optimize the displacement and performance potential of the 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine, AMG engineers strategically positioned the exhaust side within the hot inner V of the engine’s cylinder banks.
Unleashing Power with Uniformly Oscillating Gas Columns
The pursuit of enhanced performance leads to the flat-plane crankshaft. In essence, a flat-plane V8 engine resembles an inline four-cylinder configuration, albeit with wider crankpins accommodating two connecting rods each in the V8 setup. In a flat-plane V8, ignition sequences alternate between cylinder banks, further refining the gas cycle. The firing order, characterized by a 180-degree crankshaft angle offset (1-8-2-7 4-5-3-6), generates uniformly oscillating gas columns within both the exhaust and intake systems. The resonance from these columns can be harnessed to amplify performance. Furthermore, a significant advantage lies in the engine’s heightened throttle response, making it incredibly agile and eager to rev.
Mercedes-AMG’s Most Potent V8 Engine to Date
While the new AMG GT Black Series engine builds upon the foundation of the AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo with dry sump lubrication, its extensive modifications warrant a new internal designation: M178 LS2. This powerhouse churns out an astonishing 720 hp at 6,700-6,900 rpm and a massive 590 lb-ft of torque, available from 2,000-6,000 rpm. New camshafts and exhaust manifolds are meticulously calibrated to the unique firing order, further optimizing the gas cycle.
Mirroring the top-tier AMG GT Coupe four-door, both twin-scroll exhaust turbochargers are equipped with anti-friction bearings, enhancing throttle response. However, the GT Black Series turbochargers are upgraded with larger compressor wheels, enabling them to deliver a total boost pressure of 24.6 psi, a significant increase compared to the AMG GT R’s 19.6 psi. While 7,000 rpm is well within its sustained capability, the redline extends to an exhilarating 7,200 rpm. Larger intercoolers ensure optimal charge-air temperatures are maintained. The engine’s exclusivity is visually underscored by a distinctive black engine badge.
Blistering Acceleration: 0-124 mph in Under Nine Seconds
The bespoke Handcrafted AMG engine in the GT Black Series imparts a truly unique character, evident not only in its raw power delivery but also in its distinctive, visceral sound. This new engine translates to breathtaking performance figures: the Black Series catapults from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.1 seconds and reaches 124 mph (200 km/h) in under nine seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 202 mph, a velocity best experienced on closed racetracks.
Enhanced AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-Speed Transmission
Power is channeled to the rear wheels via the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, strategically positioned on the rear axle in a transaxle configuration for optimal weight distribution, a hallmark of all AMG GT 2-door models. This transmission has been meticulously recalibrated for the AMG GT Black Series, engineered to handle the immense 590 lb-ft of torque. Shift performance and response time thresholds have been elevated, catering to the demands of racetrack driving.
This comprehensive tuning results in a transformative driving experience. Accelerator and engine responses are sharper, and drive programs, start-up characteristics, and gear changes are all more aggressively tuned. The Race Start function is now even more potent, leveraging increased starting revs, more refined wheel slip control, and racetrack-ready high-performance tires. Furthermore, the transmission cooling system has been enhanced to meet the heightened demands, and gear ratios have been subtly adjusted for optimal performance.
The ‘torque tube,’ crafted from carbon fiber, forges the connection between the engine and transmission. Weighing a mere 30.6 lbs, it achieves a remarkable 40 percent weight reduction compared to its already optimized aluminum counterpart in the standard AMG GT. As a crucial structural component of the transaxle drivetrain, it establishes an exceptionally torsionally rigid link between the engine and transmission. This direct drivetrain connection is paramount for dynamic driving and contributes significantly to the vehicle’s balanced weight distribution. The drive shaft housed within is also constructed from lightweight carbon fiber.
Sophisticated Aerodynamics: Engineered for Unprecedented Driving Dynamics
The meticulously engineered and optimized aerodynamics are pivotal in achieving the GT Black Series’ agile handling and unwavering stability at high speeds on demanding circuits. Aerodynamic experts and designers collaborated closely, as with the AMG GT R and AMG GT R PRO, to elevate the aerodynamic profile of the GT Black Series. ‘Form follows function’ is the guiding principle, more pronounced than ever in this Black Series iteration.
The resemblance to the AMG GT3 and AMG GT4 racing cars is unmistakable, both visually and technically. This kinship begins with the new, significantly enlarged radiator air inlet, a direct descendant of the AMG GT3 racing car. The radiator trim features vertical slats in dark chrome, and with wheel arch coolers now directly fed via the central inlet, the need for two additional outer air inlets in the front bumper is eliminated. Semicircular flics optimize airflow, boosting downforce at the front axle and enhancing brake cooling. ‘Air curtains’ manage and direct airflow towards the wheels. These enhancements, combined with the flics, reduce drag and increase downforce. The new design language seamlessly blends maximum cooling efficiency with reduced air resistance and amplified front downforce.
The carbon-fiber front splitter offers two manually adjustable settings (Street and Race – Race for track use only), adaptable to various track configurations. In the extended ‘Race’ position, a front diffuser in the shape of an inverted wing profile emerges beneath the front section. Depending on speed, this element lowers further due to increasing negative pressure, significantly accelerating underbody airflow and creating a ‘Venturi effect’. This effect draws the car closer to the road, further increasing downforce on the front axle. Drivers will experience enhanced steering precision when cornering at high speeds and exceptional directional stability. Especially during high-speed cornering and under substantial lateral acceleration, the vehicle delivers agile responses with clear steering feedback, while remaining remarkably controllable. When the front diffuser is in the ‘Race’ position, the new rear spoiler design further amplifies rear axle downforce.
Hood with Dual Exhaust Air Openings: Enhancing Aero-Performance
Another direct motorsport derivative is the new carbon-fiber hood, featuring two prominent exhaust air outlets finished in black carbon fiber. These large outlets channel hot air, originating from the diagonally positioned cooling pack, out of the engine compartment. This technology, directly borrowed from motorsport, increases overall downforce while simultaneously reducing air resistance and optimizing airflow for engine cooling. Air is also strategically guided around the A-pillars and side windows towards the rear, enhancing the effectiveness of the new rear spoiler design. Seamlessly integrated front fender vents, with five body-colored fins and exhaust air openings behind the front carbon-fiber fenders, contribute to increased front axle downforce through efficient wheel arch ventilation. The airflow around the vehicle is further refined by new, significantly larger and wider side sill panels with black carbon-fiber elements, merging into vertical blades at the front and rear. Additional cooling air ducts are integrated into the side sill panels to facilitate rear axle brake cooling.
Two-Stage Rear Spoiler Concept
The rear profile is defined by a new rear bumper with a substantial diffuser, dual rounded twin-tailpipe trims positioned outboard, side wheel arch ventilation, and an innovative rear spoiler design. Both spoiler blades are crafted from carbon fiber, mechanically adjustable to adapt to diverse track conditions. The lower blade is intentionally compact and narrow, ideal for capturing airflow arriving from the front of the car. The lightweight yet robust carbon-fiber spoiler supports, finished in matte black and meticulously designed through extensive simulations, further enhance aerodynamic efficiency. They are bolted to the carbon-fiber rear hatch, also finished in black.
A captivating detail is the adjustable flap within the upper blade. This active aerodynamic element is electronically adjusted by up to 20 degrees, adapting to driving conditions and the selected AMG DYNAMICS mode, optimizing both longitudinal and lateral dynamics. In a flat position, it reduces air resistance for quicker attainment of top speed. In the inclined position, the flap enhances braking performance and cornering stability through increased rear axle downforce.
Four distinct activation strategies are employed, contingent on the selected AMG DYNAMICS mode: Basic, Advanced, Pro, or Master. Some strategies also incorporate driving dynamics recognition. For instance, in ‘Master’ mode, the flap remains permanently inclined and extended up to 155 mph. Beyond 155 mph, it retracts to minimize air resistance and expedite top speed. However, during sudden braking or corner entry, the flap instantly returns to its extended position, optimizing braking and cornering through increased downforce and air resistance. Drivers can also manually control flap retraction or extension via a dedicated button on the center console.
Extensive Underbody Paneling
The meticulous aerodynamic refinement extends to the now almost fully paneled underbody, addressing both aerodynamic and thermal considerations (heat dissipation). The flat underbody incorporates specially designed longitudinal fins. These air channels have been meticulously optimized to ensure ideal airflow to the rear diffuser. The entire system accelerates airflow, significantly amplifying downforce. All these measures are harmonized and work in concert with the new rear spoiler design, culminating in a downforce level exceeding 882 lbs at 155 mph.
Lightweight Carbon Fiber: Everywhere You Look
The lightweight carbon-fiber roof, with a lowered center section, and the carbon-fiber rear hatch, featuring a subtle spoiler lip and a larger lightweight glass rear windshield, are key elements of the ‘intelligent material mix’ and ‘lightweight construction’ philosophy. Moving to the front, the laminated front windshield also utilizes lightweight glass. The coiled carbon-fiber transmission mount is another exclusive Black Series component. Additional carbon-fiber shear panels in the front section, underbody, and rear stiffen the entire aluminum body shell structure, working in conjunction with the lightweight integral carrier and carbon-fiber cross tunnel to enhance body shell stability. These elements form an interconnected network, amplifying the Black Series’ high driving precision across all maneuvers. The carbon-fiber shear panel beneath the engine, linked to the integral carrier, stiffens the front section and steering system, resulting in noticeably more precise steering and further stabilizing the front axle. The integral carrier at the front axle is exclusively crafted for the Black Series using lightweight aluminum construction.
The standard ceramic high-performance compound brake system, featuring black painted calipers and white lettering, is also characterized by low weight and exceptional performance. Special brake pads and rotors, coupled with enhanced brake cooling, guarantee consistent, fade-free deceleration and high-precision brake application. Standard light-alloy forged wheels further contribute to weight reduction.
AMG Coil-Over Suspension with Adaptive Adjustable Damping
A double wishbone suspension design enhances wheel control with high camber and toe-in stability, enabling high cornering speeds and providing drivers with optimized road feedback when pushing the limits. Wishbones, steering knuckles, and hub carriers on both front and rear axles are fabricated entirely from forged aluminum to minimize unsprung mass. Spherical bearings on the upper and lower wishbones of the rear axle are directly derived from motorsport. Their play-free design ensures consistent toe-in and camber, even under extreme loads. Consequently, the GT Black Series delivers precise steering, clear feedback, and superior cornering performance.
Mirroring the AMG GT R, the Black Series employs an AMG coil-over suspension with adjustable spring preload, incorporating technology tailored for extreme racetrack use with high damping forces. Motorsport technology is seamlessly integrated with the AMG RIDE CONTROL continuously variable, adaptive damping system. This electronically controlled system automatically adjusts damping at each wheel in response to the current handling situation, speed, and road conditions. Damping characteristics are modulated rapidly and precisely by two separate valves for rebound and compression forces within the dampers. These new valves, also motorsport-derived, react with even greater agility to rapid suspension movements. Increased damping rates, such as during cornering and braking, effectively minimize body roll. Continuous damping adjustment based on speed ensures optimal road contact, enhancing safety even at high velocities.
Drivers can also fine-tune adaptive damping characteristics via a button on the AMG DRIVE UNIT or using AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive modes. Three modes are available: “Comfort,” “Sport,” and “Sport Plus.” Refined logic provides an even better balance. “Comfort” and “Sport” are ideal for public roads. “Sport” offers firmer damping, a sportier body connection, and reduced comfort – also suitable for racetracks with slippery conditions due to wet surfaces. “Sport Plus” is optimized for racetracks and features a unique capability: it automatically recognizes track surface quality, differentiating between smooth Grand Prix circuits like Hockenheim and bumpy tracks like the Nürburgring North Loop. It then automatically adjusts electronic damping levels within ‘Sport Plus’ mode. This logic was developed and perfected by tailoring the Black Series to a wide spectrum of track types.
Carbon Fiber Sway Bar: Further Reducing Suspension Weight
The front axle is equipped with a dual adjustable sway bar made of lightweight carbon fiber. Its default setting provides a short and firm connection. The rear axle counterpart, made of steel with 3-way adjustment, achieves weight savings through its hollow tube design. From the default “central” position, it can be adjusted to be one level harder (short connection) or softer (long connection). A carbon-fiber shear panel in the rear underbody further enhances driving precision. This lightweight and rigid element stiffens the rear-end structure, further stabilizing the body shell. Electronically controlled dynamic engine and transmission mounts have also been retuned to further amplify agility, delivering high-precision responses and clear feedback.
Other suspension enhancements include wider front and rear tracks and manually adjustable camber at both axles. This allows for setting exceptionally high camber values, typically reserved for maximizing motorsport performance on closed racetracks.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO Tires: Bespoke Grip
Michelin® Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO tires, custom-developed for the Black Series, represent the pinnacle of grip. In motorsport tradition, these high-performance tires are exclusively available for Mercedes-AMG in two compounds. The standard factory-equipped tire is the soft-compound Michelin® Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO1A, its sidewall enhancing the AMG GT Black Series’ silhouette. A ‘hard compound’ option is also available for racetrack use in higher temperatures, designated Michelin® Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO2 and identifiable by the motorsport sticker from the French tire manufacturer, obtainable through the AMG Performance Center. Tire sizes are 10 J x 19 wheels with 285/35 ZR 19 tires (front) and 12 J x 20 wheels with 335/30 ZR 20 tires (rear).
AMG TRACTION CONTROL: Grip to the Power of Nine
For closed-track driving in ESP OFF mode, AMG TRACTION CONTROL provides drivers with individualized support in managing the Black Series’ immense power, without any ESP brake intervention. The level of assistance is finely tunable, providing optimal support for each driver and track. Extensively tailored to the Black Series, AMG TRACTION CONTROL allows preselection of nine slip settings on the live rear axle. Control is managed exclusively through maps within the engine electronics, without ESP system intervention, mirroring the GT3 racing car.
Operation is via a dedicated adjuster on the center console, accessible even with racing gloves. Depending on the setting, the system allows for varying degrees of rear wheel slip, crucial in diverse road conditions. Level 1 is calibrated for wet conditions with high safety margins. Level 9 permits maximum rear axle slip. Each setting is displayed on the adjuster and in the instrument cluster’s central display.
AMG TRACTION CONTROL’s key advantage lies in its predictive capabilities. Using a friction coefficient evaluator and other data processed by a control unit, it anticipates situations in milliseconds. The maximum permissible drive slip on the rear wheels is calculated based on the selected AMG TRACTION CONTROL level. When wheels reach this slip level during acceleration, traction control modulates engine output to maintain this level, ensuring continued acceleration with the specified slip. The system’s algorithms, developed as a double control variable model, manage not only engine drive torque but also the locking level of the electronic differential lock.
Exclusive Interior: Orange Contrasting Color Scheme
The interior design emphasizes the AMG GT Black Series’ pole position status. Exclusive nappa leather is combined with sporty DINAMICA microfiber in black, accented by striking orange contrasting topstitching. The instrument panel and newly designed lightweight door panels, now featuring loop pull handles, are trimmed in black DINAMICA microfiber. Further orange contrasting topstitching, matte black carbon-fiber trim, and the Interior Night Package amplify the interior’s dynamic character. AMG carbon-fiber bucket seats (unavailable in the USA, Canada, and China) blend low weight with optimal lateral support. In the USA, Canada, and China, AMG Performance seats are standard. The interior is also optionally available with silver contrasting topstitching.
AMG-Specific Digital Displays
The AMG GT Black Series features fully digital instrument displays from the AMG GT family, including a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch multimedia display. The instrument cluster offers three AMG-specific display styles: ‘Classic’, ‘Sporty’, and ‘Supersport’. The ‘Supersport’ view, with a central rev counter, provides extensive additional information, including a ‘shift light’ prompt in manual mode. The multimedia display visualizes vehicle functions, including animated displays of driving assistance, vehicle, and communication systems.
Display Buttons in the Center Console: Control at Your Fingertips
Innovative colored display buttons in the V-shaped center console integrate display and control for transmission logic, suspension, ESP, exhaust system, rear spoiler flap, and start/stop function. TFT display buttons use intuitive symbols, easily operated with a tap, and feature a mechanical pressure point for use even with racing gloves. Display buttons are complemented by rocker switches for drive programs and audio volume control.
AMG Performance Steering Wheel: Instant Control
The AMG Performance steering wheel, adopted from the AMG GT family, features a sporty design, flattened bottom, heavily contoured rim, and intuitive operation. The rim is fully trimmed in DINAMICA microfiber, with a Black Series badge and AMG logo. Aluminum shift paddles enable manual gear changes, and integrated Touch Control buttons manage the instrument cluster and multimedia display.
Standard AMG DRIVE UNIT steering wheel buttons include a round controller with an integrated display and two vertical colored display buttons with switches. AMG drive programs are activated via the right controller, with settings displayed on the integrated color LCD. Two freely configurable display buttons and additional left-side switches enable direct steering wheel control of further AMG functions, allowing drivers to maintain focus on high-speed driving. Each function is represented by a display icon, customizable by the driver for personalized AMG function access.
The AMG Interior Night Package is standard, featuring high-gloss black finishes on shift paddles, steering wheel spokes, and AMG Performance seat inserts, with black brushed stainless steel door sill panels, further enhancing the car’s sporting character.
Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series: Technical Data
| 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.0-liter V8 biturbo |
| Displacement | 3982 cc |
| Output | 720 hp at 6,700-6,900 rpm |
| Peak torque | 590 lb-ft at 2,000-6,000 rpm |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Transmission | AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed |
| Acceleration 0-60 mph | 3.1 s |
| Top speed | 202 mph |
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