The Black Series represents the top creations of Mercedes-AMG. The GT Black Series is the 6th and most powerful member of the family. The new GT Black Series, having taken a plethora of elements from the AMG GT3 and GT4, comes to put the icing on the cake of the Mercedes GT family.
The GT range was created by Mercedes as an alternative to the "obvious" 911, but also the "different" Vantage. Keeping the transverse central engine placement of the SLS, with its impressive long bonnet, Mercedes has created an elegant, fast, comfortable and capable GT car for all kinds of use.
The AMG GT family started with the GT and GT S, with the GT Roadster and GTC (a more powerful version, replacing the original Roadster in the process). For the more "restless" drivers, it created the "Beast of the Green Hell" GT R and then the even more track focused, GT R Pro.
As with the SLS, a Black Series version of the GT is the curtain raiser as the final version of this model. And the GT Black Series is the perfect curtain-raiser for a stunning car like the AMG GT. In the GT Black Series, most of its ability comes from two key elements, its engine and its aerodynamics.
The different versions of the 4L V8
The design of the V8 engine gives engineers a great advantage, the slope of the angle between the two parts of the engine. This design feature alone greatly affects the performance of the engine. The two most common versions are the "cross plane" with an angle of 90 degrees between the engine pistons and the "flat plane" with an angle of of the engine pistons shall be 180 degrees.
The name "cross plane" comes from the imaginary cross that is created if we theoretically extend the lines from the right angle that is created. AMG, placed inside the V8, on the exhaust side, having created the "Hot V" arrangement in which the two turbos are located between the two rows of cylinders. This, increases throttle response and torque at low revs, while giving the AMGs their unique sound.
Evenly distributed exhaust pulse
A different way of increasing the power that an engine is able to produce is to use a "flat plane" design, where the angle of the engine is of the knobs of V is 180 degrees. In this arrangement, ignition is alternated between the two rows of cylinders, in the GT Black Series it is 1-8-2-7-4-5-3-6, which creates an even distribution in the exhaust pulse and also in the intake, which both increases the engine's horsepower and torque output and significantly reduces throttle response time.
The most powerful V8 ever created by AMG
The new GT Black Series engine may be based on the 4.0 V8 BiTurbo, with a dry-carter, but due to the extensive modifications that have been made, it has been given its own codename, M178 LS2. With new camshafts and exhaust system, it manages to deliver 730bhp in the 6700-6900rpm range and 800Nm of torque in the impressively wide 2000-6000rpm range. .
Both GT Black Series twin-scroll turbos are identical to those fitted to the AMG GT 4-door, with reduced-friction bearings, which further improves throttle response. However, in the GT Black Series, the turbos have larger impellers, which enable them to deliver up to 1100 kg/hour of air (900 in the GT R). With the larger intercoolers, Mercedes ensures that the temperature in the intake, will be the lowest possible. Finally, like all Black Series, the engine emblem showing which technician assembled the engine is in black instead of silver.
0 to 200 in under 9 seconds
So what does this new, different engine do for the GT Black Series? It gives it a unique character, not only in numbers and response, but also in sound, as it has its own distinct tone. On the numbers side, however, the 0-100 sprint is done in 3.2 seconds, 0-200 in under 9 seconds and the top speed, is 325 km/h.
Enhanced and faster AMG Speedshift 7G
As with all models in the GT family, the GT Black Series features a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission mounted in front of the rear axle for optimal weight distribution. Here, however, it has been beefed up in order to comfortably handle the GT Black Series' 800Nm, with quicker response times and reduced shift times.
More impressive now is the "Race Start" (Mercedes' name for launch control) function, which allows higher revs and is more sensitive to detecting loss of traction or not. Michelin's Pilot Cup 2 Rs also contribute to achieving maximum traction.
The torque tube, the chamber in which the transmission shaft from the engine to the gearbox (which is made of carbon fibre) is made of carbon fibre instead of aluminium, as in other GTs, which reduces the weight by 14kg.
Advanced aerodynamics for impressive driving performance
Advanced aerodynamics, always following the philosophy of "form follows function", plays an important role in both the car's stability at high speed and its ability to turn in the best possible way.
In terms of aerodynamics, the GT Black Series' relationship with the AMG GT3 and GT4 is immediately and distinctly more pronounced, compared to the more "mild" GT R and GT R Pro. To start with, there's the new larger front grille, behind which is the radiator, which is taken directly from the GT3. The centre piece, which feeds air into the radiator, which is then exhausted through the two large engine bay vents on the left and right. At the ends, it has the so-called "air curtains" that direct some of the air to the brakes to cool them, while a small piece escapes from the side, producing a vertical aerodynamic load.
The GT Black Series front splitter is mechanically adjustable in two positions : Street and Race. At the front, under the bumper, there are two release levers, which the driver opens, moves the splitter to the desired position and then pushes them back to the original position, locking it in the desired setting. When the splitter is open in the Race position, the higher the speed of the car, the more efficient it becomes, as it too produces an increasingly large vertical aerodynamic load, which helps considerably with front end stability, whether the car is travelling at high speed in a straight line or taking a corner. Finally, the cannards on the side of each side of the bumper contribute to stability and the management of the front airflow.
The vents of the bonnet and front wings
Another element derived from the GT Black Series' racing "sisters" is the front bonnet, which has two large air vents that remove the hot air from the engine compartment, directing it to the side, before the front pillars. In front of the air intake, there is a small lip, which ensures that the "clean" air coming in is directed from above, towards the roof, for better aerodynamic results. Also, the fenders have 6 holes at the top from which the air that accumulates in the front fenders escapes, to reduce the lift effect that you create. Finally, the new side sills also make an important contribution to managing the airflow from the side of the car.
The aerofoil concept 2-stage rear aerofoil concept
Just as impressive as the front is the rear, where great attention has been paid to the thorough study and analysis of each individual component for maximum aerodynamic effect. At the bottom, the GT Black Series diffuser strongly evokes a racing diffuser rather than a road car diffuser. At its edges, there are 2 holes to remove air from the rear fenders, while in the GT Black Series, the exhaust system ends in 4 rounded outlets. In the middle section, the hole we know from the GT R and GT R Pro remains. The party trick of the GT Black Series, however, is the 2-level rear spoiler.
The rear aerofoil is the aforementioned "2 Stage Rear Aerofoil Concept". AMG's basic idea was to place a narrow aerofoil at the bottom, which manages the airflow coming from the roof and moving backwards, following the flow of the car's shape, while the much larger aerofoil at the top manages the airflow coming directly over the car. The lower airfoil is mechanically adjustable in its tilt in 3 positions. The top one, is fixed in its tilt, however the blade located back in the centre is hydraulically adjustable in tilt, with a maximum tilt of 20 degrees.
The active part of the upper airfoil moves according to the selection made from the 4 settings (Basic, Advanced, Pro, Master) in the AMG Dynamics system. During acceleration, it fully retracts to reduce the aerodynamic load generated. During deceleration or when moving the steering wheel, as soon as it is sensed that the car is starting to turn, it starts to lift, depending on how much aerodynamic load it needs to produce. For example, in the Master option, it remains fully lifted up to 250 km/h. After 250, it fully retracts, and if the car starts turning, slowing down or just moving below 250, it is raised again, at a 20-degree angle. There is, of course, the option to raise or fold it manually, from a button on the centre console. It's worth mentioning that the aerodynamic load generated by the spoiler is so great, that underneath the rear part of its base, there are metal supports in the luggage compartment that are bolted directly to the chassis, which absorb the load generated by the spoiler, applying it directly to the chassis.
Almost fully covered underbody of the GT Black Series
The extensive work on the GT Black Series aerodynamics continues under the car. Almost the entire bottom of the car is covered with panels which are fitted with some flaps, in order to direct (and accelerate) the airflow towards the rear diffuser, increasing the aerodynamic load generated, which amounts to 400 kg at a speed of 250 km/h. The few uncovered points were left as they were, for cooling purposes.
Lightweight and durable, carbon everywhere
The carbon roof, the carbon boot, the carbon air intakes, the thinner and lighter windows are all part of AMG's "intelligent material mix", following the "lightweight construction" approach. From the front, where the laminated front windscreen is strong but lightweight, the carbon "sub-frame/base" of the gearbox, along with a host of other parts, also made of carbon, make the overall car light and rigid.
Even the braking system, with its black calipers and white lettering, are also part of a lighter but stronger ceramic brake system. On the GT Black Series, pads and discs with a different composition have been used, making them more heat-resistant, with no brake fade, while its cooling system ensures maximum braking power, even in the most demanding driving conditions.
Coil-over suspension, with electro-electric shock absorbers
The GT Black Series suspension is double wishbone, with all parts made from forged aluminium, which makes it strong but lightweight, in order to reduce unsprung mass. The spherical bearings, in the upper and lower swingarms of the rear suspension, a technology directly derived from motorsport, means zero "play", which keeps the suspension geometry stable, even when under heavy loads.
Like the GT R, the GT Black Series suspension is fully adjustable, with the springs also being adjustable. AMG Ride Control, for its part, constantly adjusts the stiffness of each shock absorber, with electro-mechanical shock absorber fluid, which determines the rate of compression (and its margin) and rebound of the shock absorber, depending on the surface on which the GT Black Series is driving.
The suspension has three levels of adjustment : Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. The first two are for road use, the setting for track use. The big advantage of the GT Black Series is that it has the ability to sense the condition of the track the car is driving on and adjusts the shock absorbers accordingly. This means that whether the GT Black Series is running on a Grand Prix specification track, such as Hockenheim, or one such as the Nurburgring, it can always adjust in the best possible way.
Use of carbon in the suspension and special tyres for the GT Black Series
The front axle is equipped with a torsion bar made of carbon, with 3 adjustment positions. The "center" position is a balance between hard and soft. If the driver uses the "short position", it becomes stiffer, while in the "long position", it becomes softer. At the rear of the GT Black Series, there is also a carbon shear panel, which takes care of torsional stiffness and proper rear end information. Finally, the engine and gearbox mounts are electronically controlled stiffness, which is automatically monitored and adjusted by a sensor system.
In addition, Michelin has created a tyre compound specifically for the GT Black Series. From the factory, the GT Black Series is fitted with Pilot Sport Cup 2 R with the soft rubber (MO1A), while there is also a harder rubber option (MO2) for track and high temperature use. The GT Black Series tires, are 285/35 ZR 19 front and 335/30 ZR 20 rear.
9-stage traction system
The AMG Traction Control system has 3 basic settings (On, Sport, Off). In the ESP Off setting, however, the driver selects how "OFF" the system is. Without the slightest intervention from ESP, only Traction Control, the driver can adjust to the individual needs how much loss of traction the system will allow.
For example, position 1 allows almost zero loss of traction, while position 9 allows unlimited loss of traction. If we choose setting 7, for example, when exiting a turn, the system will allow the wheels to spin up to a certain limit calculated by the system algorithm and will maintain it up to that value.
The system switch is centrally located to be easily accessible to the driver and is large enough to be easily operated with gloves on. The selected setting is indicated by the lights around the rotary switch and by the corresponding indication on the instrument panel.
The orange of contrasts
Στο εσωτερικό της GT Black Series, κυριαρχεί το μάυρο, με τις ραφές και τις λοιπές αντιθέσεις, σε ποροτοκαλί χρώμα. Εκτενή χρήση του δικού της υλικού DYNAMICA (ένα τεχνητό υλικό, παρόμοιο με το Alcantara, αλλά πιο ανθεκτικό στη φθορά) κάνει η Mercedes σε όλο το εσωτερικό, με το δέρμα Nappa να βρίσκεται μόνο στο εξωτερικό κομμάτι των καθισμάτων. Βασικό μέρος του εσωτερικού διάκοσμου είναι το πακέτο “Night Pack” όπου όλες οι αλουμινένιες λεπτομέρειες είναι σε μαύρο χρώμα, ενώ υπάρχει και η δυνατότητα αντικατάστασης του πορτοκαλί χρώματος, με γκρι, για όποιον επιθυμεί κάτι πιο ουδέτερο.
Η V8 κεντρική κονσόλα
Τα 8 πλήκτρα με έγχρωμες mini-οθόνες στη κεντρική κονσόλα, σε σχήμα V, αναπαριστούν τη διάταξη του κινητήρα και τους 8 κυλίνδρους του κινητήρα. Κάθε οθόνη αλλάζει ανάλογα με το τι έχει επιλεγεί, ενώ λειτουργούν τόσο με την αφή, όσο και με το αντίστοιχο κουμπί τους (το ίδιο και για τα αντίστοιχα displays στο τιμόνι). Ετσι, μπορούν να λειτουργήσουν τόσο με, όσο και χωρίς γάντια, με την ίδια ευκολία για τον οδηγό.
Οθόνες με ειδικά AMG γραφήματα & πληροφορίες
Ο πίνακας οργάνων της GT Black Series, αποτελείται απο μία οθόνη 12.3 ιντσών, ενώ του συστήματος infotainment απο μία 10.25 ιντσών. Η οθόνη του πίνακα οργάνων, μπορεί να πάρει μία πληθώρα διατάξεων και να προβάλει δεξιά και αριστερά απο το στροφόμετρο, μία ποικιλία πληροφοριών, την οποία ο οδηγός μπορεί να επιλέξει. Επιπλέον, η GT Black Series παρουσιάζει μερικές απο τις πληροφορίες και με τη μορφή live γραφημάτων.
Ακόμη πιο track-ready, με το πακέτο AMG Track Package
To πακέτο AMG Track Pack, είναι για όσους κατόχους επιθυμούν να αξιοποιήσουν στο έπακρο τις δυνατότητες της GT Black Series τους. Τι προσφέρει ; Για αρχή, το σημαντικότερο, επιπλέον παθητική ασφάλεια. Και ακόμη περισσότερη στρεπτική ακαμψία.
Το πακέτο αποτελείται απο τα carbon bucket καθίσματα, τις ζώνες 4 σημείων, το bolt-on rollcage τιτανίου και απο ένα πυροσβεστήρα 2kg. Το rollcage, φέρει και 2 ειδικά mounting points, για τις ζώνες .
Το συμπέρασμα
Πιστεύω, οτι η Mercedes ξεπέρασε τον εαυτό της με τη GT Black Series. Και μαζί τις προσδοκίες κάθε φίλου της. Η τεχνολογία και η τεχνογνωσία που έχει αποκτήσει η συγκεκριμένη εταιρεία με τα σερί πρωταθλημάτων στη Formula 1, αλλά και μέσα απο την άκρως επιτυχημένη πορεία των AMG GT3 και AMG GT4 στους αγώνες, της έχει δώσει όλα τα στοιχεία που χρειαζόταν για να κατασκευάσει το απόλυτο track weapon. Και σίγουρα, η GT Black Series είναι άξια του ονόματος της.
Τεχνολογία και εφαρμογές, τόσο σε ηλεκτρονικά, όσο σε υλικά και εξαρτήματα, απευθείας απο τα αγωνιστικά. Όχι “σαν του αγωνιστικού”. Το ίδιο ακριβώς με του αγωνιστικού. Στη δική μου αντίληψη, μοιάζει πως η Mercedes έκανε road legal τα αγωνιστικά της, παρά πήρε μία GT και την έκανε “αγωνιστικό με πινακίδες”. Θυμίζει λίγο τη συνταγή της McLaren πρόσφατα, με την 620R και τη συνταγή της Ferrari παλιότερα, με τη 360 Challenge Stradale. Τη φιλοσοφία του “Κάνε το αγωνιστικό, αυτοκίνητο. Οχι το αυτοκίνητο, αγωνιστικό”.
Όπως και να έχει, τη θεωρώ ένα εκπληκτικό δημιούργημα. Αναμένουμε φυσικά, συγκριτικά, δοκιμές, μετρήσεις και το πολυπόθητο Ring Lap, για τα απαραίτητα braging rights. Well done, Mercedes.
