Affalterbach: MercedesAMG has unveiled the most extreme version of the venerable GT, the 2021 GT Black Series.
Inspired by the Mercedes-AMG GT3 racing car, the sixth Black Series model from Mercedes-AMG is the perfect synergy of expressive design, elaborate aerodynamics, distinctive driving dynamics, and lightweight construction.
The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is a super sports car that embodies the brand’s rich tradition in motorsport, as well as its many years of expertise in developing track worthy vehicles that impress in every respect.
Equipped with the most powerful AMG V8 series engine of all time, the GT Black Series can generate a staggering 720 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.
Despite it already being renowned for excellent driveability, power delivery and torque
progression, engine specialists in Affalterbach made extensive improvements to the tried-and-tested 4.0-liter Biturbo unit. The results were clear: significantly more power than the previous flagship AMG GT, an even more agile throttle response, and maximum torque – all of which meant that a radical change was needed in the form of a new, ‘flat’ crankshaft.
“The new GT Black Series is our latest highlight and continues a tradition that started in 2006. The sixth version of its kind, the GT Black Series is another AMG milestone, and impressive proof of the incredible development expertise in Affalterbach.
Unique Sports Car
“I am proud of the team who have truly created a unique super sports car, which now represents the absolute peak of our successful GT family. Its performance, looks, and driving dynamics are second to none. This project was a fantastic end to my work at AMG, for which I am truly thankful,” says Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board at Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
The Black Series GT utilizes a ‘flat crankshaft’, and benefits from superb smoothness and high torque at low rotational speeds. Another benefit of this new arrangement is the characteristic sound of the V8 engine.
In order to make optimal use of the displacement and the performance potential of the
4.0-litre Biturbo engine, the AMG engineers essentially moved the exhaust side into the hot internal V of the V8’s two cylinder banks.
Flat crankshaft
Engine performance can be increased by using a ‘flat’ crankshaft. In the flat-plane V8 engine, this looks similar to an inline four-cylinder model, except for the wider crankpins, which in the case of the V8, have two connecting rods each.
Ignition in the flat-plane V8 jumps from one cylinder bank to the next, which further improves the gas cycle. An even greater advantage of this implementation is a more agile throttle response.
The new engine of the GT Black Series is based on the AMG 4.0-litre V8 Biturbo engine with dry-sump lubrication and has been given the new internal code M178 LS2 due to its numerous modifications.
It delivers 720 hp at 6,700 – 6,900 rpm, and generates a maximum torque of 590 lb-ft at 2,000 – 6,000 rpm. The engine features new camshafts and exhaust manifolds that are adapted to the new firing order and further improve the gas cycle.
Two twin-scroll exhaust turbochargers are mounted in antifriction bearings, similar to the
top-of-the-range AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, and optimizes the throttle response even further.
In the GT Black Series, the turbochargers have been given a larger compressor wheel, which allows for each turbo to deliver a total of 1,100 kg air per hour. For comparison, the
figure for the AMG GT R is 900 kg of air per hour. 7,000 rpm is not critical as a continuous speed, and the speed is limited at 7,200 rpm.
Larger intercoolers guarantee charge-air temperature is kept within the best possible range. The engine of the AMG GT Black Series enables highly impressive driving performance: the two-door is able to rocket from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, and can reach 200 km/h in under nine seconds.
The top speed is 325 km/h, although this is only sensible on cordoned-off racetracks. As is the case for all two-door AMG GT models, power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a seven-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G dual-clutch transmission, which is located on the rear axle in a transaxle arrangement.
For the GT Black Series, this transmission has been modified and adapted to the increased torque of 800 Nm.
Previous limits governing shift performance and response time have been extended, making it much more suited for driving on racetracks.
These modifications produce very different handling characteristics, as not only are the engine response and acceleration more agile – the drive programs, start-up characteristics, and gear changes are too. As a result of the increased starting revs, a more sensitive wheel slip control, and the racetrack-ready sports tires, the Race-Start function is now more
impressive.
Torque Tube
A ‘torque tube’ creates a connection between the engine and the transmission. It is made of carbon fibre, and at just 13.9 kilograms is around 40 percent lighter than its weight-optimized aluminum counterpart in the AMG GT.
A structural component of the transaxle drivetrain, it creates an extremely flexural and torsionally stiff connection between the engine and the transmission.
As with the AMG GT R and the AMG GT R PRO, aerodynamics experts and designers have worked in close collaboration to ensure optimized airflow for the GT Black Series. Sickle-shaped flics optimize the flow of the air, which not only increase downforce at the front axle, but also improve brake cooling. The ‘air curtains’ control and direct the flow of air towards the wheels.
The GT Black Series features a carbon-fiber front splitter that has the two manually adjustable settings of ‘Street’ and ‘Race’, and can be adapted to meet various track requirements.
The driver can feel these benefits in the steering: The Black Series can be steered even more precisely when cornering at high speed.
An additional motorsport feature of the GT Black Series is the new carbon-fiber hood, with two large exhaust air outlets fashioned from black finished carbon surfaces. The integrated louvres and exhaust air openings behind the wheels help to increase downforce at the front axle by means of effective wheel arch ventilation. To further optimize airflow, the GT Black Series utilizes significantly larger and wider sill panels which merge into vertical blades at the front and rear of the vehicle.
The interior design of the GT Black series emphasizes pole position: Exclusive Nappa leather is combined with sporty DINAMICA microfibre in black and is accented 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 microfibre.
Further orange contrasting topstitching, matte black carbon fibre trim, and the Interior Night Package are particularly striking highlights.
In Canada, the Black Series is equipped with AMG Performance seats as standard. The interior is also available with grey contrasting topstitching.