Mercedes-AMG (C190) GTR Black Series Unleased – 730 hp Of Pure Mean

Mercedes-AMG has just pulled the wraps of the meanest and most awe-inspiring version of its GT supercar range with the GT Black Series. The Black Series features the most aggressive design, the most elaborate of aerodynamics packages, improved driving dynamics, and crucially the most powerful engine V8 engine AMG has ever produced.

By far the biggest change of the GT Black Series is inside the engine, where AMG has revamped its V8 engine to use a flat-plane V8 crankshaft, instead of the cross-plane crankshaft fitted to the rest of the GT family.

Without excessive geekery, a cross-plane crankshaft is best known for its smooth operation, reliability, and good engine harmonics – the flat-plane crankshaft is known for its superb low-end torque, balanced engine harmonics, high-revving capability, and most importantly, screamer of a soundtrack. It’s the reason Ferraris have that distinctive ‘scream’ in their V8s.

The new GT Black Series engine may be based on the AMG 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine with dry sump lubrication, but it has been given the new internal code M178 LS2 due to the numerous modifications to adapt for the new crank design.

New camshafts and exhaust manifolds have also had to be adapted to the new engine firing order and to further improve the gas cycle. The turbochargers and intercooler setup have also been modified.

The nett result – a whopping 730 hp at 6700-6900 rpm and a maximum torque of 800 Nm between 2000-6000 rpm.

That big bump in performance gives the GT Black Series a 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, 0-200 km/h in under 9 seconds and a top speed of 325 km/h – rivalling stats of the Ferrari F8 Tributo, and upcoming (992) Porsche 911 GT2.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via the AMG Speedshift seven-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 models. The transmission has been modified for use in the AMG GT Black Series and adapted to the increased torque of 800 Nm. The previous limits governing shift performance and response time have been extended, making them more suitable for racetracks.

The 'torque tube' is now made out of carbon fibre and, at just 13.9 kilograms, is around 40 percent lighter than its aluminium counterpart in the AMG GT. 

As for the chassis – the Black Series offers the same coilover setup and AMG RIDE CONTROL adaptive adjustable damping as the rest of the GT range, but now with manually adjustable camber components and anti-roll bars on both the front and rear axle. A ceramic compound brake system features as well.

As for aesthetics, the Black Series derives aerodynamic and styling elements from the GT3 racecar, significantly larger radiator air inlet, which stems directly from the AMG GT3 racing car. The radiator trim has vertical struts in dark chrome because now the wheel arch coolers are also fed with air directly via the central inlet.

Elsewhere ‘sickle-shaped’ flics direct air around the lower and side regions of the bumper to further optimise airflow and downforce. Additionally, the carbon-fibre front splitter has two manually adjustable settings (Street and Race).

When extended forward (Race position), a front diffuser in the shape of a reversed wing - depending on the driving speed, this element is lowered even further by the rising negative pressure, which significantly accelerates the air flow on the underbody, thereby sucking the car to the road. Another direct derivative from motorsport is the new carbon-fibre bonnet, with two large exhaust air outlets made from black finished carbon surfaces. 

At the rear view is characterised by the new rear apron with a large diffuser, two rounded twin tailpipe trims on the outside left and right, side wheel arch ventilation, and the innovative rear aerofoil concept. The two-piece aerofoil (or wing) is designed to manage wind coming from over the roof and sides of the car, and is made out of carbon fibre.

Rounding off the highlights are the AMG 10-spoke forged wheels in matt black, and exclusive AMG Magmabeam special paintwork.

On the inside, the interior has been spiced up with contrasting orange-coloured topstitching on the on the seats, steering wheel, door pull handles and sections of the instrument panel.

The GT Black Series can be optioned with the AMG Track Package with lightweight titanium roll-over protection, four-point seatbelts, and 2 kg fire extinguishers like the AMG GTR and GTR Pro models.