Black Series?
For those unfamiliar with Mercedes-Benz’s exclusive Black Series line of cars, the sub-brand consists of regular models taken from Mercedes’ tuning arm, AMG, and then further modified to make them suitable for regular track-day use.

Because they are Mercedes-Benz cars, they retain their street-worthy characteristics, though the balance between performance, comfort and luxury is tipped more heavily toward performance than the already fast AMG series. Lightweight components, more power, tauter suspension settings and more capable brakes are the central modifications made to any Black Series car.

The newest addition to the Black Series is based on the turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 SL65 but develops 493kW at 5,400rpm and an electronically limited torque of 1000Nm between 2,200 and 4,200rpm – 43kW more than the regular SL65 and 15kW up on the ‘722 Edition’ SLR supercar. Sending drive to the rear wheels is a five-speed automatic gearbox with the later AMG speedshift programming. Combined with the monster powerplant and the upgraded gearbox, the new SL65 Black Series will accelerate to 100km/h from rest in just 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 320km/h. Engineers claim the engine is capable of much more but is limited by the ratios of the gearbox.

Cutting the weight, adding more performance
The SL65 has also undergone an intensive weight reduction program to achieve Black Series status, which sees it weigh in 250kg less than the standard model. To shed the extra kilos engineers have removed the car’s folding metal hard top and added a fixed carbon-fibre unit. The car’s bonnet has also been replaced with a carbon unit and more of the lightweight material was used for a new rear-lip spoiler (which rises at speeds above 100km/h) and integrated rear diffuser.

The end result is a kerb weight of just 1,870kg - still a hefty weight for a sports car but a great improvement over the standard model’s 2,110kg mass.

Other features include a new adjustable suspension set-up, a wider track, larger brakes, and a host of aerodynamic improvements.

Classy extras seal the deal
Mercedes has offered the CLK63 AMG Black Series here in Australia, bringing 50 examples of the limited-production extreme sports coupe to the entire Asia-Pacific region. Though the Black Series SL is also expected to come our way thanks to strong demand, it will likely be offered in even more limited quantities than the CLK63 variant given the very limited run of Black Series SLs to be produced.

Buyers of the Black Series can also expect to be invited to special events, both social and driving-oriented, exclusively for owners of the elite cars. The company's commitment to ensuring buyers have an excellent experience with these cars is strong.

When Mercedes brought the CLK63 AMG Black Series to Australia, it added a few extra touches including a special identification plate, a certificate of authenticity and a letter of provenance signed by AMG and Mercedes Car Group Australia/Pacific to underscore the limited edition status of the Asia-Pacific region cars. If the SL AMG Black Series also comes here, expect similar treatment.

The new car will make its world debut at October’s Paris Motor Show before going on sale in global markets early next year. Australian release dates are yet to be confirmed.

Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series gallery

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