[ad_1]
The Black Series name returns to the Mercedes-Benz AMG lineup for 2021, appearing on a new high-end version of the sports car.
The new 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series was unveiled in July, and has since set the lap record for production cars at the Nürburgring with a time of 6: 43.61. That beats the previous best of 6: 44.97 set by the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ in 2018, and the AMG did so with driving directed only at the rear wheels.
Sales begin in early 2021 and AMG announced Tuesday that pricing starts at $ 326,050, including destination. That’s a great premium on the next rung of the ladder, last year’s GT R Pro starting at $ 200,645, but the GT Black Series is on another level.
The star of the show is a new version of AMG’s wagon 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8. The engine features multiple upgrades, including a flat crankshaft, which helps improve low-end torque in the rev range and gives the GT Black Series an incredible soundtrack. Some of the exhaust pipes have also been moved between the cylinder banks and the compressor wheels of the turbochargers have been enlarged. Boost pressure is now up to 24.6 psi, compared to 19.6 on the GT R Pro.
2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series
As a result, the energy increases significantly. AMG quotes a maximum output of 720 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, the latter available at just 2,000 rpm. The result is a car that will shoot to 60 mph from standstill in 3.1 seconds, 124 mph in less than 9.0 seconds, and a top speed of 202 mph.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a new carbon fiber torsion tube and an upgraded version of the GT’s 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The transmission has been tuned to handle the added grunt of the GT Black Series engine and to offer faster shifting. Its cooling has also been improved for long days on the track.
2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series
To help the GT Black Series stay glued to the track, the regular GT bodywork has been almost completely redesigned with new aerodynamic elements. At the front, there is a large, manually adjustable divider, along with dive planes to push the air in an efficient and intimidating way. At the rear there is a two-stage stepped wing to glue the muscular tail to the asphalt. A quad exhaust setup peeks out from an exceptional rear diffuser. If this all sounds familiar, it’s because so much of it comes from the latest AMG GT3 race car.
One element that comes directly from motorsports is the new carbon fiber hood whose large vents help keep the engine cool while increasing downforce. The extracted air is then directed around the A-pillars and side windows to the rear, where it interacts with the rear wing.
2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series
Naturally, the suspension also plays an important role on the track. Suspension modifications include a widened front and rear track, new spools with adjustable damping, increased camber (manually adjustable) and toe stability, and motorsport-inspired spherical bearings in the lower forks instead of traditional bushings. . A carbon fiber stabilizer bar was also added to the front axle, while a carbon fiber trim panel was added to the lower rear to improve stiffness.
The wheels are forged units measuring 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear, and they come wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires that measure 285/35 at the front and 335/30 at the rear. A special “hard compound” version of this tire is also available for track days where the ambient temperature is warm. Carbon ceramic brakes are standard and the car’s curb weight is 3,616 pounds.
2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series
2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series
2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series
AMG engineers have also installed a new traction control system with nine levels of adjustment (Level 1 for wet conditions and Level 9 for maximum lateral action). Operated via a control on the center console, the traction control system adjusts the level of slip possible by controlling the power to the wheels using engine mapping, just like in the GT race car. It means that there is actually no intervention from the stability control system.
Also worth mentioning is the Sport Plus mode of the driving mode selector. On the GT Black Series, this has been designed for specific track surfaces, as you can adjust the level of suspension damping to accommodate the varying smoothness of different racetracks. The profiles of some popular tracks are programmed in.
2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series
In this price range, there are few options left to add. Some options left to the buyer include an orange paint finish exclusive to the model known as the AMG Magmabeam, as well as matching contrast stitching in the cabin.
AMG typically releases the Black Series as the final variant of a model, which means the current GT is likely to come out soon. A successor is planned and may have already been teased. All we know about the upcoming GT is that it will be based on a new modular sports car platform that will be shared with the upcoming Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. The platform is expected to bring weight savings and likely some form of electrification.
