Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series under consideration

Tobias Moers, head of Mercedes-AMG, has confirmed that a Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is being considered for production. “It won’t be here soon, because Black Series cars tend to come towards the end of a car’s production cycle, but an AMG GT Black is a car we must do,” he revealed at the Detroit motor show 2015.

Moers has also said that a convertible version of the GT is in line, probably in 2016, and also a high-performance GT3-style version that will bridge the slot between the existing GT S and the extreme Black Series model.

In the past, Moers has spoken about the Black Series as, “We need more power, less weight, better aero and different suspension, but the targets should be the power-to-weight ratio, driveability, lap time and tremendous feel.” He also hinted that the GT3 would have around 550bhp, and that the Black Series model will likely be tuned for more.

The SLS Black Series achieved 622bhp from its 6.2-litre engine. To match this, the GT’s all-new twin turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine will require a specific output of 155bhp per litre. Clearly possible, because Mercedes already uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an output of 180bhp per litre, in cars like the A 45 AMG, CLA 45 AMG and GLA 45 AMG.

However, the GT Black Series will not need that much power to eclipse the performance of the equivalent SLS. The standard GT weighs about 80kg less than the SLS, the GT3 version is likely to shed another 100kg, resulting in a kerb weight of about 1,440kg. If the Black Series simply continues to be 1,440kg, it would beat the equivalent SLS's power-to-weight ratio with just 580bhp.

The SLS Black Series was capable of recording a 3.6 seconds run from 0-100kph, so expect the GT version to be just as quick.