AMG's most powerful production V8 helps GT take aim at 911 GT2 RS
Mercedes’ AMG GT has been given the ‘Black Series’ treatment with the car receiving AMG’s most powerful production V8 engine that it has ever made.
The GT Black Series’ twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 makes 720bhp and 590lb ft of torque, The outcome is a 0-62mph time of 3.1sec, 0-124mph in 9.0sec and a top speed of 202mph.
The new V8 features a racing-spec flat-plane crankshaft, which has an altered cylinder firing order that provides improved throttle response, with the capability to rev more neatly at higher revs. Also making an appearance are new camshafts, bigger turbos, riding on anti-friction bearings, a heftier intercooler and a superior exhaust system.
Power is sent through the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which has also been tweaked for better shift reaction and with altered ratios. A new Race Start feature has been refined for more imposing take-offs.
The GT has extensive weight reduction helped by the obsessive use of carbon fibre, the bonnet, roof and tailgate, transmission mount, new body stiffening structures and the driveshaft have had the carbon fibre treatment. Lightweight forged alloys surround ceramic brakes with Black Series-specific components. Even weight saving measures has been given to the front and rear glass, which is thinner.
The exterior of the GT Black Series has very race-car similarities of Mercedes’ GT racing cars, the front bumper has a larger air intake, a two-stage manually changeable carbon fibre splitter, a carbon fibre bonnet with exhaust air openings and cooling slats for more downforce. Brake cooling ducts have been inserted into wider sill panels, a new rear diffuser with quad exhausts and a two-piece spoiler which features flaps that can be adjusted by up to 20 degrees to decrease air resistance or increase stability dependent on the driving conditions. In addition to a nearly fully flat underbody the aero measures provide the car with a claimed downforce of 400kg at 155mph.
The GT Black Series has mirrored the adjustable coilover suspension as in the GT R Pro combined with an adaptive damping system. Aluminium components lower unsprung weight while solid rear wishbone bearings improve steering sharpness and feedback, the camber is also manually adjustable.
Within the multiple driving modes there is a new function in Sport Plus, that can identify the race track surface and set up the car suitably, AMG has also teamed with Michelin to develop a specific Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyre with soft and hard compound options.
The interior of the GT Black Series has exclusive leather and microfibre that has black and orange stitching and matt black carbon fibre trim, door panels with loop pull handles for more weight saving also feature. You can also spec carbon fibre bucket seats and the AMG Track Package, which also adds titanium rollover protection, four-point belts and a fire extinguisher.
Expect all this to come in at a price of just over £300,000, and expect the new Black Series to be available to order at the end of this month, with first deliveries in the autumn.