Thread: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series pertama drive review

Mercedes

This 622bhp sledgehammer blends luxury and breathtaking performance, but is it worth 230,000? This is arguably the most driver-focused Mercedes-Benz road car ever: the SLS AMG Black Series. The SLS AMG Black Series looked aggressive enough covered in disguise when we rode in it late last year, but as it sits in the pitlane at the Paul Ricard circuit in France, its engine turning over with a lumpy idle, you get the feeling that all it lacks are race numbers attached to its bodywork. Its certainly a long way from the standard SLS GT we drove a couple of months back. Beyond the deep new front bumper, with integral carbonfibre splitter, and front wings that have been widened by 13mm, it is the long, contoured carbonfibre bonnet with integral air duct that really sets it apart. Further back, there are deep new sills with cooling ducts for the rear brakes, rear wings that extend out by an extra 26mm and a reprofiled rear bumper with a more substantial diffuser. AMGs latest Black Series model also comes with an optional aerodynamic package that has additional winglets on the outer corners of the front bumper for improved cooling of the front brakes, as well as a prominent carbonfibre rear wing on the bootlid in place of the standard retractable one. The SLS Black Series has benefited greatly from the existence of the SLS GT3 race car and SLS Electric Drive. Various lightweight components and construction solutions from both allow it to hit the scales 70kg below that of the SLS GT, at 1550kg. Key among the developments brought to the Black Series model is a new carbonfibre torque tube, through which the propshaft runs. As well as being much lighter than the standard aluminium arrangement, it is also claimed to be significantly more rigid for greater structural integrity. The bulkhead behind the seats is also now made of carbonfibre, again increasing the overall stiffness. The real showpiece, though, is the engine. The naturally aspirated 6. 2-litre V8 adopts myriad detail changes, including revised valve gear with altered cam geometry and revised bucket tappets, a new intake system, reconfigured belt drive, optimised crank assembly and an entirely new water and oil cooling system. Power increases by 59bhp to 622bhp, which trumps a Porsche 911 GT2 RS. Maximum power arrives 600rpm further up the rev range, at 8000rpm. Torque has been reduced by 11lb ft in the interests of low-end tractability, going from 479lb ft at 4750rpm to 468lb ft at 5500rpm.