Power

THE MOST EXTREME MERCEDES EVER

1 december 2020Door MASTERS Redactie4 min lezenMASTERS MAGAZINE

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The AMG GT Black Series is the ultimate expression of what Mercedes-Benz has to offer. Not only in price, but also in performance.

The AMG GT Black Series is the ultimate in what Mercedes-Benz has to offer. Not only in terms of price, but also in terms of performance. This road racing car, which costs over four tonnes, destroys all its competitors on the track.

Online editor: Natasha Hendriks
Text: Erik Kouwenhoven

Pious, pious

Hammering engine noises, screeching tires, sweaty foreheads under balaclavas and grinning faces form the eclectic cocktail of an afternoon of tough steering under the late autumn sun on the Formula 1 circuit of Hockenheim in Germany. Officially he drives the dear peace, who should try to protect overzealous journalists from themselves, but in practice he disappears towards the horizon with smoking tires and we can try to remain somewhat in his wake. The material at our disposal is, in theory, extremely suitable for this. The Black Series is also the strongest and most expensive car from Mercedes-Benz at the moment. And one of the most addictive. Because once you have tasted the enormous downforce on the track and the way this car grips in the corners, you will never want a regular AMG GT again. The saying 'once you go black you never go back' apparently also applies in the car world.

Exclusive rarities

At Mercedes-Benz they have a strange Maslow pyramid when it comes to satisfying the needs of the sporty Mercedes driver. The AMG GT came onto the market last year. Again, almost half the price and although not twice as good, it was a car that was presented as the car that would dethrone the Porsche 911. Unfortunately, things did not get that far for Mercedes-Benz. The driving characteristics were good, but not special enough. At least: not in the form of the basic model, which also does not have enough charisma to make you forget a fifty-year-old icon. Things got a lot better with the AMG GT R. The 'standard' GT R was much more than a marketing model, thanks to the stripped-down interior, carbon fiber brake discs, shorter gears, a different suspension, titanium exhaust, wider semi-slick tires, a revised limited-slip differential and - for the first time at Mercedes - Benz – steering rear wheels.

Formula 1 circus

The engine specialists in Affalterbach have further developed the proven 4,0-litre V8 biturbo engine. The requirements were clear: significantly more power than the previous top model of the AMG GT family, even better throttle response and maximized speed. One of the most important changes included the use of a flat plane crankshaft. This ensures a quieter running experience and more torque at low speeds. The characteristic sound is also typical of this special crankshaft. The block also received new camshafts and new exhaust manifolds, as well as larger turbos. Thanks to these adjustments, the coupe catapults itself to 3,2 km/h in 100 seconds and to 3,2 km/h in less than nine seconds. The top speed is 200 km/h. Formula 325-like aerodynamic tricks are also used around the brakes, wheel arches, sills and underside of the car to generate more downforce and extra cooling air for the brakes. That they master this matter well at Mercedes-Benz has been proven time and time again by F1 drivers Hamilton and Bottas.

Hardcore

We run sessions of four laps behind the dear peace: a warm-up lap, three 'flying laps' and a cool-down lap. “Gentlemen, this is not a competition,” Bernd Schneider says a little later over the walkie-talkie. “There is nothing to gain, only to lose. Drive as fast as you can, but don't go beyond your limits. If any of you can't keep up with the pace, I'll be waiting for you halfway around the track.” The former 'Mister DTM' then gets into his AMG GT Black Series and leaves the pit lane. All we have to do is try to keep up with him. Something that is not too scary emotionally, given the trust-inspiring feel of the Black Series and the presence of strict but fair electronic guardian angels. Schneider wastes no time and immediately goes full throttle after the warm-up lap. We try to follow and immediately notice that the faster you go, the more grip there is. Where the AMG GT felt a bit unstable and sometimes even tricky, the Black Series sticks to the asphalt. The AMG GT sometimes felt a bit 'loose' and not hardcore enough. The model always remained a Mercedes, so to speak. We drive a car that costs exactly 420.982 euros, but we are allowed to drive on the track without ESP - something that was expressly prohibited when the AMG GT R and AMG GT R Pro were introduced. It shows how much confidence Mercedes-Benz has in the Black Series. Let's just hope that these cars aren't shoved en masse into cellars by their wealthy owners, only to gather dust until the end of time.