(Most of the article courtesy of Autowww)

(SEE all the press release photos here in BRracing Gallery on our website…..select CARS, then Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Black)

Just this past week, Mercedes-Benz released a teaser on its Facebook page showing what we could only guess was the SLS AMG Black Series, and now our suspicions proved true as the automaker removed the tight-fitting cover. Preparing for the car’s official debut at the 2012 LA Auto Show (end of November 2012), the latest addition to the Mercedes-Benz Black Series is by far the most impressive with extensive measures taken to improve performance and reduce weight.

Underneath the SLS’ long hood, AMG has reworked the engine squeezing an extra 39 horsepower from the 6.2-liter V8, raising the output to 622 hp. And even though overall torque has dropped by 11 pound-feet, acceleration from zero to 60 miles per hour is quicker at 3.5 seconds. Top speed is 196 mph. The handling of the car has also been improved on all levels, including upgraded ceramic brakes with two-piece rotors (measuring 15.8-inches in the front and 14.2-inches at the rear wheels)(talk about BIG brakes, these are HUGE), adjustable coil over suspension, electronically controlled rear differential and a track that has been widened by almost an inch. For added rigidity, many of the body braces in the aluminum space frame have been replaced with carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) helping to shed precious pounds.

At 3,417 pounds, the SLS AMG Black Series has dropped a total of 154 pounds compared to the SLS AMG GT. Some of the numbers are actually pretty significant, such as the 35.3 pounds saved with the ceramic brakes, 29.3 pounds cut thanks to using a CFRP engine-to-transmission torque tube rather than aluminum and 28.7 pounds from the titanium exhaust system. Showing AMG’s determination to shed pounds, even the car’s conventional battery has been replaced with a lithium-ion battery which is good for another 17.6 pounds of curb weight savings ? possibly the first such application of a lithium-ion battery outside of a hybrid or electric vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz says that the styling of the SLS AMG Black Series was inspired by its GT3 racecar, and elements like the front chin spoiler, forged alloy wheels, rear diffuser and the vented side skirts and rear fascia help the car look the part. Many of the body panels are made of CFRP, including the flared front and rear fenders. This racecar styling is also applied to the interior of the Black Series with a sport steering wheel that features a red 12 o’clock marking and plenty of exposed carbon fiber. The car shown in the images above not only sports the Solar Beam paint exclusive to this car, it also features the optional AMG Aerodynamics package that gets an adjustable CFRP rear wing with aluminum uprights and front fascia flics (the little swooshy fins below the air intakes or dive planes), but all of the cars get a vented hood that increases front axle downforce.

The 2014 SLS AMG Gullwing Black Series goes on sale next summer (2013), but Mercedes has yet to announce pricing or production numbers.

The key data at a glance:
SLS AMG Black Series
-Displacement: 6,208 cc
-Bore x stroke: 4.02 x 3.72 inches
-Compression ratio: 11.3 : 1
-Output: 622 hp at 7,400 rpm
-Max. torque: 468 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm
-Maximum engine speed: 8,000 rpm
-Engine weight (dry): 452 lbs
-Acceleration 0-60 mph: 3.5 s
-Top speed: 196 mph

If you haven’t seen an SLS in person….swing by the BRR Los Gatos location this week…one of our customers cars is here for some upgrades this coming week (white, convertible version….but a heck of a car to drive on the street….much like our other customers SLR, this car just pulls like a train when let go.)

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