Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the SLS AMG Black – basically a souped-up version of an SLS GT race car. This is the fifth model in the Black Series and will debut at the 2012 Los Angles Motor Show.
The special ops team from the three pointed star have reworked the hand-built 6.2-litre V8 engine to now produce 622bhp and 634 Nm of torque, a marginal loss of 11Nm compared to the GT version. The resulting changes now push the car from 0-100 in 3.5 seconds and give it a top speed of 315kmph.
Mercedes-Benz has reworked various bits under the car to improve its handling and stability. These changes include upgraded ceramic brakes, adjustable coil-over suspension, new lighter alloy wheels, Michelin tyres developed specially for the car and an electronically controlled rear differential. They have also replaced many of the aluminium body braces in the space frame with carbon fibre to increase rigidity and shed weight. The car will also be offered with an additional AMG aerodynamic package.
The car has shed a massive 69 kilos via extensive use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic both inside and outside. Mercedes has gone so far as to replace the conventional battery with a lithium-ion one to save an additional 7.9kgs in weight.
Inside, despite being an all-out performance machine, the SLS black features all the usual luxuries that are standard with the regular SLS. This includes leather/Alacantra seats, red contrasts stitching on the seats, embossed AMG logos, B&O music system and as mentioned before carbon fibre trim for the dash.
Mercedes Benz has currently not announced any prices for the MY2014 SLS AMG Black. It will go on sales in the US in summer 2013. Such extensive use of carbon fibre is surely the way forward in making lightweight high performance sports cars. Expect this to be the future of all Benz’s two-door monsters.
