Review Car

AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine a byword for thrilling driving dynamics

• Increase in maximum engine speed from 7200 to 8000 rpm
• Fully revised high-speed valve train with modified camshafts, adapted cam geometry and optimised bucket tappets featuring a special coating which is otherwise exclusive to racing vehicles
• Modification of the intake air ducting: derestriction and adaptation to the new maximum engine speed
• Adaptation of the engine application and increase in peak pressure 

Systematic application of the AMG Lightweight Performance strategy

Dual clutch transmission for even more emotional dynamism

New, electronic AMG rear-axle differential lock

AMG RIDE CONTROL performance suspension and sports tyres

• AMG RIDE CONTROL performance suspension with tauter basic tuning and electronically controlled two-stage damping (Sport, Sport +) for individual adjustment to the preferred personal driving style
• Coil-over spring retainers to enable adjustment of wheel loads for personal race track set-ups
• Elastokinematics 50 / 42% more rigid (front/rear axle) for greater stability in fast double bends
• Track width increased by 20 / 24 millimetres (front/rear axle) for added grip in fast bends
• New wheel carriers on front axle and new front stabiliser tuning for added grip, reduced roll angle in fast cornering
• AMG 10-spoke light-alloy wheels, in particularly light forged design with optimised strength, painted matt black with high-sheen finish, dimensions: 10x19 at fron; 12x20 at rear. Weight saving: 4.0 kilograms
• Newly developed Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 sports tyres. Dimensions 275/35 R 19 at front and 325/30 R 20 at rear, for added grip and sporty cornering limit
• AMG speed-sensitive steering with newly defined power steering characteristic for optimum steering precision and outstanding control of the vehicle

AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system as standard

The brake system of the SLS AMG Coupé Black Series boasts excellent deceleration performance and outstanding stability. The AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system comes as standard. The ceramic brake discs measuring 402 x 39 millimetres at the front and 360 x 32 millimetres at the rear feature increased hardness for enhanced thermal stability, accompanied by a weight reduction of around 40 percent. As a result of the reduced unsprung masses, they optimise both comfort and grip. The reduced rotating masses on the front axle provide for more direct steering response. Weight savings with the AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system compared to a conventional steel/aluminium brake system: 16 kilograms.


Design inspired by the SLS AMG GT3 customer sport racing car

The design of the SLS AMG Coupé Black Series derives a special fascination from its similarity to the SLS AMG GT3 customer sport racing car. The gull-wing racing car developed in accordance with FIA GT3 rules has quickly become established as a serious contender among the super sports car elite. In the 2012 motorsport season the SLS AMG GT3 is competing in more than 15 series on four continents. The triple victory in the 24-hour Dubai race in January 2012, three driver and team titles in the FIA GT3 European Championship, the ADAC GT Masters and the FIA GT3 World Championship along with numerous places on the podium at various short-distance, 4- and 6-hour races demonstrate the SLS AMG GT3s sporty performance in impressive style. To date, the car has notched up 37 victories in the 2012 season (as per 28 October 2012).
Wide flared wings with an added width of 13 mm (front) and 26 mm (rear) on each side create the necessary space for the 275 mm and 325 mm sports tyres. Darkened headlamps and black surrounds for the rear lights provide the SLS AMG Coupé Black Series with a muscular and aggressive look. The vehicles aerodynamic balance is optimised by the front apron and rear apron with diffusor along with side sill panels in Black Series-specific design featuring carbon fibre-reinforced plastic front splitter, carbon inserts in the side sills and the rear apron made of carbon fibre. The enlarged air intakes with carbon-fibre flics additionally ensure an optimum air inflow into the cooling modules at the front.
As on the SLS AMG GT3, the carbon-fibre bonnet features a central air outlet. Apart from effectively discharging the engine heat, this outlet also increases downforce at the front axle and improves the Cd value. The wing-like cross-fin and the star recess in the radiator grille are finished in high-gloss black to match the exterior mirrors and the fins on the bonnet. The carbon-fibre insert on the sides with air outlet and a black fin is also reminiscent of the GT3; this feature also helps to reduce the temperature level in the engine compartment. The upshot is maximum stability, even in tough race track use.


Matt black AMG forged wheels in Black Series-specific design

A striking feature on the sides is the attractive integration of the side skirts, which combine with the side feature line in appealing fashion. The carbon elements fitted along the bottom at the sides continue the line of the carbon-fibre front splitter along to the rear. AMG forged wheels in a series-specific 10-spoke design, painted in matt black with a high sheen finish, provide glimpses of the AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system. AMG forged wheels in matt black with high-sheen rim flange are alternatively available.
The rear of the SLS AMG Coupé Black Series presents a brawny appearance on a par with that of the front end. The wide wings and the striking rear diffusor are the predominant features here. The diffusor extends beyond the profile of the rear apron and produces additional downforce at the rear axle. This results in greater driving stability at high speeds. Visible air openings behind black grilles serve to control the dischrage of hot air in the area of the AMG titanium sports exhaust system. The two sets of twin chrome tailpipes with a square cross-section provide a visual demonstration of the gull-wing super sports cars power and dynamism – an impression that is backed up by a corresponding sound. The exclusive AMG logo with contrasting Black Series lettering in black adds a discreet yet striking touch at the top right of the boot lid.


AMG Aerodynamics package with carbon-fibre components

The SLS AMG Coupé Black Series can be upgraded with the optional AMG Aerodynamics package. This package features a fixed, adjustable carbon-fibre rear aerofoil in the style of the SLS AMG GT3 in place of the standard-fit aerofoil which extends automatically at speeds of over 120 km/h. The rear aerofoil is braced by aluminium elements on a special insert on the boot lid and provides for even greater negative lift force on the rear axle – not least of all as a result of the Gurney flap, named after its inventor, Dan Gurney, a former racing driver, designer and team owner. This eight millimetre-high spoiler lip fitted to the rear aerofoil at an angle of 90 degrees results in a further increase in downforce without significantly increasing drag. The rear aerofoil is complemented by additional carbon-fibre flics on the front apron which further reduce downforce at the front axle, as opposed to the more inward-lying standard-fit carbon-fibre flics which serve to optimise the inflow of air into the cooling modules.
The optionally available expressive colour AMG solar beam is exclusive to the SLS AMG Coupé Black Series. Six other exterior paint finishes from the SLS AMG range are available, including the matt paint designo magno alanite grey.


Sporty, functional interior exuding high quality

A functional, sporty racing-car atmosphere is prevalent inside the SLS AMG Coupé Black Series, with high-quality materials demonstrating precision workmanship and exquisitely designed details. There is a choice of two colour variants: Alcantara® black or Alcantara® black/red. With the two-tone variant, the door centre panels and the applications on the centre console and above the glove compartment are finished in red. The AMG Performance steering wheel with flattened bottom rim section features Alcantara® all round for a good grip. In the top section the steering wheel features a sporty red 12 oclock marking. The real metal bezel features a high-gloss black paint finish to match the high-gloss black surrounds of the air vents. A particularly high-quality and exclusive Black Series detail is the so-called "3D seam" which runs horizontally along the dashboard: a fine Alcantara® strip in anthracite features across the entire width of the leather covering. Red contrasting stitching in the leather lend an accomplished finish to the 3D seam, underscoring the hand-crafted character.
The combination of designo leather and Alcantara® features throughout the interior – on the bottom section of the dashboard, for example, on the door centre panels and on the AMG sports bucket seats, whose centre sections are covered with Alcantara®. Embossed AMG emblems on the head restraints are further exclusive eye-catchers. In addition to providing first-class lateral support at high cornering speeds, the AMG sports bucket seats are also 15 kilograms lighter than the standard AMG sports seats.
The absence of the COMAND APS multimedia system reduces the vehicles weight by an additional six kilograms as a further demonstration of the SLS AMG Coupé Black Series uncompromisingly purist character. In place of the screen between the air vents, a carbon-fibre trim element exudes an authentic racing atmosphere. COMAND APS is optionally available ex-factory. The vehicles occupants will also discover the motorsport material carbon fibre on the entire centre console with the AMG DRIVE UNIT. Bold highlights are added by red seat belts and red contrasting stitching on the AMG sports bucket seats, the centre console, the upper and lower section of the dashboard and the door panelling. The floor mats similarly feature red edging.


Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end surround sound system

A highlight among the optional equipment and appointments is the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end surround sound system, developed by Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG together with renowned Danish audio specialist Bang & Olufsen. The Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end surround sound system with Dolby Digital 5.1 enables an exclusive music experience of the very highest standard. This is made possible by a 1000 W amplifier and 11 loudspeakers in conjunction with precise distribution of the music signals by the sound processor according to the selectable seat positions – driver, co-driver or central. The DSP digital sound processor additionally enables the user to switch between the high-end studio sound ("Reference") and a surround sound option. All functions are controlled via COMAND APS (optional item) in a special Bang & Olufsen menu. The illuminated 50 W lens tweeters are a special highlight on the dashboard. The 250 W subwoofer is accommodated in the rear shelf. High-quality loudspeaker covers sporting the Bang & Olufsen logo indicate the high-end systems exclusive character.

• AMG carbon-fibre exterior mirror
• AMG carbon-fibre engine cover
• AMG Interior Carbon-Fibre package
• AMG infotainment system (incl. COMAND APS, AMG Performance Media and backup camera)
• Media Interface
• The market launch of the SLS AMG Coupé Black Series will begin in June 2013.

(Mercedes-Benz Press Release)