SLS from the dark side
Mercedes SLS AMG Coupe Black
There are still some who think an SLS is a Mercedes SL with some fancy doors. That it’s a cruiser that might just be a little flabby under its posh outfit. Not a bit of it.
If you want the SLS even more gym-toned, the 631PS Black Series is the default choice. It’s evil.
You want power? It’s right here. The uprated AMG 6.2-litre V8 engine generates 631PS and 635 Newton metres of torque which translates to a sprint to 62mph in just 3.6 seconds. The top speed stands at 315 km/h which in old money is 197mph. But how has AMG managed to eke another 60PS out of an engine that already felt bowstring taut in the standard SLS coupe? There’s no forced induction or anything like that. It’s done the hard way with an increase in maximum engine speed from 7200 to 8000rpm, a 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 and modification of the intake air ducting. This has required de-restriction and adaptation to the new maximum engine speed. AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system also comes as standard.
The chassis and suspension of the SLS AMG Coupe Black Series are also much altered. The basic layout with double wishbones all-round in aluminium remains unchanged, but barely a component has gone untouched in the interests of superior dynamics. Steering, tyres and wheels have also been uprated. This is no skirts and spoilers job. This is hardcore.
The design of the SLS AMG Coupe Black Series is a tribute to the SLS AMG GT3 customer sport racing car. Wide flared wings with an added width of 13mm (front) and 26mm (rear) on each side create the necessary space for the 275mm and 325mm tyres. Darkened headlamps and black surrounds for the rear lights provide the SLS AMG Coupe Black Series with a malevolent look enhanced by a 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.
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series takes the architectural elegance of the standard SLS coupe and transforms it into something altogether more malevolent. It’s a perfect embodiment of the Black Series philosophy, offering racing design, genuine track-focused engineering and sledgehammer power.
Mercedes has managed to build a car that provides the sort of adrenaline rush you thought was only provided by Italian exotics.
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Thursday 23 May 2013
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