As you already know from our previous post about the CLK GTR (full title: The Unicorn – Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR), Affalterbach is the home of all AMG cars. And in 2009, this little village in the suburbs of Stuttgart was the birthplace of the Mercedes SLS AMG – the ultimate homage to the 300 SL Gullwing.
The SLS is the first vehicle developed independently by AMG. Each engine is assembled by hand from a single worker at the manufactory and documented with an appropriate sticker with his engraved signature. This links every car and his owner in a very personal way to AMG and the employee, who compounded the engine of the SLS. (By the way I like using the term “manufactory” in this case, like in the watch industry, where brands like Patek Philippe or Audemars Piguet manufacture ever single part of the watch movement and assembly it in-house.)
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series by @k_cars
The SLS is also the first Mercedes-Benz with gullwing doors since the 300 SLR (Uhlenhaut Coupé) or the 300 SL, which was built between 1954 and 1957 and had a decisive influence on the company’s reputation. For those who don’t know, the name SLS is the abbreviation for “Super Leicht Sport”, German for “Super Light Sport”. Fun fact here: the Swabians developed the SLS with the assistance of F1 legend David Coulthard who named the SLS “the greatest car in the world”.
The “normal” Mercedes SLS AMG is already an eye catcher. But the Swabians wanted more. The result was the Black Series which launched in June 2013. Thanks to its consistent lightweight construction, the power version weighs only 1,550 kilos which is 70 kilos less than the “normal” SLS. Obviously, came at a price. EUR 249,900 was the minimum price for the high-performer back in 2013. Rare cars like this are most likely considered investments, and deservedly so! The current market price of a Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series is around EUR 650,000 (depending on the condition and the extras of the car).
The naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 of the Black Series delivers 631 instead of the 571 PS for the normal SLS. The AMG engine accelerates the super sportscar in 3.6 seconds to 100 km/h and reaches a top speed of 315 km/h – throttled of course.
You can see that the exterior of the Black Series has also been slightly modified as AMG uses carbon parts for a better performance and more sporty look. The front carries carbon attachments in the air intakes and at the rear an adjustable carbon wing provides downforce. Wider fenders with an additional 13 (front) and 26 (rear) millimeters per side let the black series look even more masculine. The design of the SLS AMG Black Series fascinates by its proximity to racing sports and the GT3 version of the SLS.
The interior features super-light AMG sports bucket seats, a lot of carbon and a noble Alcantara.
At the end of the day, it’s a matter of taste as to whether the Mercedes Benz SLS Black Series is really AMG’s best creation but it’s definitely one of the best cars that have ever left the Affalterbach manufactory. The Mercedes AMG One might have a bunch of wild F1 hybrid tech, but is it really better than a V8 gullwing beast than the AMG SLS Black Series?
We from The Collectors Circle can say the SLS Black Series is the homage that the 300SL deserved!
Special shoutout to Khalid and his Instagram account @k_cars for shooting this amazing car. Follow his account for more amazing supercar pictures.
Summary
Brand:
Mercedes-Benz
Model:
SLS AMG Black Series
Price:
EUR 249,900 minimum price (with no options) back in 2013, current market price is around EUR 650,000 depending on the condition and the extras of the car
Limitation:
never officially confirmed by Mercedes but our sources say 350 units of the Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series were produced
When to drive:
An AMG is a street legal car with racing car character. Take it to the German Autobahn and enjoy the 631 PS V8 engine
What we love about the car:
The SLS was developed with the assistance of F1 legend David Coulthard
Images: Instagram: @k_cars
