Official: Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series has been revealed ahead of going on sale in the Summer of 2013.

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There’s been speculation  and more, that we would get a Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series as an SLS range-topper ever since Mercedes revealed the SLS three years ago, but it wasn’t until late last year Mercedes confirmed the SLS AMG Black was on its way – and here it is, in all its yellowness.

The SLS Black Series gets the usual mix for a Mercedes Black Series model – more power and less weight – and uses the same 6.2 litre V8 as the regular SLS but with the wick turned up to 622 horses from the regular, but hardly wanting, 583 thanks to a new air intake, cams, boost tweaks and better cooling.

The oily tweaks for more power – and some weight shedding (70kg) – means the SLS Black can get to 62mph in 3.6 seconds – 0.2 seconds quicker than the regular SLS – and top out at 196mph (due to the extra downforce). And in a demonstration of the futility of ‘official’ fuel consumption figures, Mercedes say the SLS Black will average 20mpg.

Cosmetically, the SLS Black gets some of its styling cues from the SLS GT3 with wider front and rear tracks, ceramic brakes, 20″ alloys, front splitter, side skirts and a big back diffuser with four titanium exhaust pipes poking out.

And even though the SLS Black uses carbon fibre for stuff like the front splitter and rear diffuser  you can still spend more money on more carbon fibre with the carbon fibre aero pack that adds an adjustable back wing and front driving planes.

Inside, the SLS Black Series gets more carbon fibre on the centre console and a set of lightweight sports seats and a hand-warming, non-slippy Alcantara steering wheel. But you do lose the COMAND (a weight-saving measure).

It looks like the Mercedes SLS AMg Black Series may arrive at the Los Angelese Auto Show later this month before going on sale in the SUmmer of 2013. How much is the SLS AMG Black Series? Mercedes aren’t saying, but it will probably be a six figure number starting with a two.

Mercedes SLS AMG Balck Series Photos >>