2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series busts with 720 hp and aero derivative of GT3

Subtlety is not exactly what the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series it’s about. It’s more like a GT3 spec race car for the street, and who doesn’t like that?

On Tuesday, the German brand unveiled its latest creation, which is packed with power and set up with a host of aerodynamic tricks to make it a slippery machine in the wind. The car is rumored to produce a Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time of less than 7 minutes.

Aero doesn’t mean anything without proper motivation, and the folks at AMG didn’t disappoint. While there is still a 4.0-liter V8 biturbo under the hood, it has been extensively overhauled and now features a flat crankshaft. Without getting too engrossed in engineering, a flat crank allows engineers to create oscillating gas columns evenly on the exhaust and inlet side of things. New camshafts and exhaust manifolds also adjust to a new firing order and improve the gas cycle. Thus, AMG was able to easily increase performance and create a Black Series more eager to accelerate.

Larger turbos with boost increased more than a GT RAlong with the new crankshaft design, it creates 720 horsepower and 590 foot-pounds of torque. The torque begins to create a low thrust factor at 2,000 rpm and peaks before 6,000 rpm. The GT Black series will feel absolutely like a damn rocket. Drivers will see 0-60 mph happen in 3.1 seconds before reaching a top speed of 202 mph.

Engineers reworked a popular seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to handle all the torque produced by the revamped twin-turbo V8. AMG also noted that it updated the transmission’s cooling system so that it could handle follow-up sessions with ease.

Now, about all the canards, the big wing and the aero: everything is wild. AMG took a close look at its current GT3 race car and got a lot out of it, starting with the larger, Darth Vader-looking grill. It allows more air to enter and also manages air flow to the wheel arch coolers, allowing engineers to remove two other air intakes from the front bumper. A pair of flics improve downforce up front and cool the brakes, while air curtains control movement to the wheels. Up front, it all comes together with a carbon fiber splitter with manual adjustments for the street and track.

And the big plugs? Of course, they serve more than one purpose. Not only do they blow hot air out of the engine compartment, they duct air around the A-pillars into the new rear wing to maximize downforce. Speaking of the rear, it’s spruced up with a new bumper and tailpipes, but the wing is the main topic of conversation. Drivers can mechanically adjust it for any track, and an electronic fin on the upper loader works with various driving modes to reduce drag or improve braking performance and cornering stability, depending on your position.

A healthy dose of carbon fiber in numerous parts of the car, including a fully carbon fiber hood, and AMG adaptive suspension are not an idea to round out the GT Black series. Three suspension configurations keep things on the more comfortable side, or prepare the car for an assault on the racecourse.

All aero bits are an aggressive-looking machine, but AMG didn’t skimp on the cab. AMG Performance seats are standard, as is the Performance steering wheel with microfiber detailing. The cabin also features Nappa leather with bright orange contrasts that seriously stand out. What about traditional door handles? Gone. Instead, the loop handles sit in place. This is a race car, duh.

Mercedes-AMG did not say how many it plans to make, or how much it will cost, but it is highly likely that we are only seeing a couple of thousand of these for production. Expect a price over $ 200,000, if you have a blank check ready and waiting.

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