Pricing for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series has been announced, but the $639,000 supercar is already a near sell-out. Eight out of the 10 cars allocated to Australia have been snapped up ahead of their official arrival on our shores in July.
Mercedes-Benz Australia has ordered two ‘AMG Solarbeam’ SLS AMG Black Series models, the bright yellow paint uniquely adding a further $15,000 to the price. Dark grey, black, and metallic white make up the rest of our allocation, with bright red and silver curiously not part of our allocation.
An ‘aero’ package is the only major optional extra, adding a fixed wing and carbonfibre exterior accents. Buyers can choose between a pair each of interior colour options – red or black –and 20-inch alloy wheels, each the same design but with either a polished face or machined face
Compared with the regular $464,000 SLS AMG Gullwing, the $175,000-pricier SLS AMG Black Series buys an extra 44kW of power from the 6.2-litre V8, a higher 8000rpm rev ceiling, but curiously 15Nm less torque.
The SLS AMG Black Series weighs 70kg less than the standard car, however, helping it get to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds – or 0.2 seconds quicker. Weight reduction measures include ceramic brakes (saving 16kg), fixed bucket seats (-15kg), a carbonfibre torque tube (-13kg), titanium sports exhaust (-13kg), and a lithium-ion battery (-8kg).
The SLS Black gets wider tracks (up 20mm front/24mm rear), while the rear suspension adds an electronic locking differential. The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox has been mounted 10mm lower to improve the SLS’s centre-of-gravity, shift speed has improved, and it gets a lower final drive ratio with shorter spacing between gears.
Unique tyres have been produced for the SLS AMG Black Series, 275mm front and 325mm rear 20-inch Michelin Pilot Cup2 Sports.
Redesigned chassis components are backed by standard AMG Ride Control adaptive damping.
Price-point rivals like the Ferrari 458 Italia, Lexus LFA and Lamborghini Aventador provide strong competition for what AMG describes as an embodiment of everything it can do right now.
We’re track testing the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series at Phillip Island today, so stay tuned for the full verdict, coming soon.
