This is how Mercedes-AMG describes its wildest creations. It’s not just a marketing tagline; it’s a mission statement. A Black Series badge is the highest honor bestowed upon a Mercedes, signifying a vehicle that has been stripped of its luxury pretenses, injected with pure motorsport DNA, and unleashed as the most powerful, focused, and uncompromised version of itself.
Born from the desire to create road-legal cars with genuine track-day capability, the Black Series legacy began in 2006. Since then, only a select models (six) have been deemed worthy of the name, each one a milestone in the relentless pursuit of ultimate performance.
1. Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG Black Series (2007)
The story begins with the SLK 55, A compact luxury roadster might seem a strange choice for a hardcore performance line, but it was the perfect testbed. The second-generation SLK (R171) was already a potent machine with its 360-horsepower V8, but the engineers at AMG saw untapped potential.
For its Black Series transformation, the hand-built 5.5-liter naturally-aspirated V8 received a modified intake, high-flow air filters, and a new exhaust system. These enhancements pushed output to a formidable 400 horsepower.
The most significant change, however, was the one that defined its character: the heavy, complex folding metal roof was completely removed. In its place was a fixed carbon-fiber roof, a move that slashed weight and dramatically increased torsional rigidity. This single decision turned the relaxed roadster into a focused coupe.
To manage the power, AMG fitted a height-adjustable coilover suspension, larger 19-inch forged alloy wheels, and a prominent strut tower brace in the engine bay. Visually, it was distinguished by flared carbon-fiber front fenders, a more aggressive front bumper, and larger side air outlets for improved cooling. The interior was all business, with deep bucket seats, and a blend of leather, Alcantara, and carbon-fiber trim. It could sprint from 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, but its true talent was its newfound agility. The SLK 55 Black Series was the proof of concept, a raw and exciting signal of the madness to come.
2. Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series (2008)
If the SLK 55 was the introduction, the CLK 63 Black Series was the car that cemented the legend. This was the model that truly captured the world’s attention, thanks in no small part to a glowing review from Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson, who bought one and declared it his favorite car of the year.
Inspired by the official F1 Safety Car of the time, the CLK 63 Black Series was a visual menace. Its massively flared wheel arches, deep front splitter, and carbon-fiber rear diffuser gave it the stance of a DTM touring car. Under the hood lay the heart of a giant: the legendary naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter M156 V8, tuned to produce 500 horsepower.
This wasn’t just a power-up. The car was 100 pounds lighter than the standard CLK 63, featuring a fully adjustable suspension, a wider track, and a reinforced rear axle. The back seats were deleted to save weight. The result was a raw, visceral, and demanding driving experience. It hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and had a top speed of 186 mph, but its soul was in its thunderous soundtrack and its tail-happy, muscle-car handling. With only 500 units produced, the CLK 63 Black Series became an instant icon and the benchmark for brutal AMG character.
3. Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series (2009)
For the third act, AMG decided to embrace absolute insanity. They took their flagship grand tourer, the SL-Class, and applied the Black Series treatment. The result was the SL 65 Black Series, arguably the most intimidating car of the entire lineage.
The formula was simple and terrifying: shove AMG’s biggest engine into one of their sleekest bodies. The engine in question was a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12, re-engineered with larger turbochargers and improved intercoolers to produce a staggering 661 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. All that power was sent to the rear wheels via a reinforced 5-speed automatic transmission.
To contain this volcanic powertrain, the SL 65 received a radical carbon-fiber widebody, shedding its folding hardtop for a fixed roof with an integrated roll cage. A massive, active rear wing would deploy at speed, a necessity to keep the car on the ground. Despite its size, it was over 550 pounds lighter than the standard SL 65. The performance was crazy: 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 199 mph. With only 175 units sold in the US, the SL 65 Black Series is a torque monster that demanded respect and rewarded the brave.
4. Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series (2012)
After the brute force of the SL 65, AMG returned to its roots with a more track-focused machine. The W204 C 63 was already a fan favorite, celebrated for its compact size and magnificent V8. The Black Series version amplified everything to the extreme.
It used an upgraded version of the 6.2-liter M156 V8 from the standard C 63, but this time it was packed with forged pistons, connecting rods, and a lightweight crankshaft borrowed directly from the SLS AMG supercar. This brought power up to 510 horsepower.
It has a wider body, a large adjustable rear wing, and aggressive carbon-fiber canards on the front bumper, famously launched in the vibrant Solarbeam Yellow (a color not initially available to customers). The car handled with the precision its predecessors could only dream of, thanks to a wider track and sophisticated coilover suspension. It was a tire-shredding monster, yes, but it was a precise monster. The soundtrack, amplified by less sound insulation, was pure motorsport. Originally planned for 650 units, its immense popularity led AMG to expand production to 800, making it the most successful Black Series to date.
5. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series (2014)
How do you improve on a masterpiece? You start with the SLS AMG, the first car built from the ground up by AMG. The goal was to create the ultimate evolution of AMG’s front-mid-engine supercar. The 6.2-liter V8 (now designated M159) was modified to its absolute peak, revving to a dizzying 8,000 rpm and producing 622 horsepower without a turbo in sight. It remains the most powerful naturally-aspirated V8 AMG has ever built.
The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission was mounted lower and linked to the engine via a carbon-fiber driveshaft for faster, more brutal shifts. Inspired by the SLS GT3 race car, it featured a full carbon-fiber aerodynamic package, ceramic composite brakes, and a titanium exhaust that saved 28 pounds alone. The car was 154 pounds lighter than the standard SLS and could hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. More than a drag racer, it was a track scalpel, a roaring, high-revving tribute to natural aspiration before the turbo era took over completely.
6. Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series (2021)
After a seven-year hiatus, the Black Series name returned with a singular, record-breaking mission. The car was the AMG GT, and the result was the most powerful, technologically advanced, and aerodynamically extreme car in AMG’s road-going history until the AMG One.
At its heart is a radically re-engineered 4.0-liter flat plane crank twin-turbo V8. This fundamental change, allows it to rev higher and faster, producing an astonishing 720 horsepower and a completely different, high-pitched scream.
The bodywork is almost entirely new, a massive, two-stage adjustable rear wing, a deep front splitter, and vented wheel arches are all borrowed directly from the GT3 race car to generate immense downforce. Every surface is optimized for cooling or aero performance. It even features the 9-stage traction control system from the AMG GT R, allowing the driver to dial in the perfect amount of slip.
The result of this obsession? In 2020, the AMG GT Black Series became the fastest road-legal production car to ever lap the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, with a time of 6:43.616. It is the ultimate expression of the Black Series philosophy.
The Evolution of Uncompromising Performance
The Mercedes-AMG Black Series is more than just a collection of fast cars; it’s a chronicle of AMG’s evolution. The journey began with raw, almost brutish power in the CLK and SL, cars that celebrated big engines and thrilling, intimidating handling. It then matured with the C 63 and SLS, finding a more sophisticated balance between muscle and track-day precision.
With the latest GT Black Series, the philosophy has reached its zenith. It is no longer just about being the most powerful, but about being the most capable. Smashing the Nürburgring lap record is the ultimate testament to this legacy, a legacy built on pushing boundaries, defying compromise, and creating the most extreme driving machines to ever wear the three-pointed star.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does “Black Series” mean for AMG?
The Black Series name is reserved for the highest-performance, track-focused, and strictly limited-production models from Mercedes-AMG. They are lighter, more powerful, and more aerodynamically aggressive than any other car in the AMG lineup.
How many AMG Black Series models are there?
As of 2023, there have been a total of six official Black Series models: SLK 55, CLK 63, SL 65, C 63 Coupé, SLS AMG, and the AMG GT.
What is the most powerful AMG Black Series?
The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is the most powerful, with its twin-turbo V8 producing 720 horsepower.
What is the rarest AMG Black Series?
The Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series is one of the rarest, with only 350 units produced worldwide (175 for the US market), making it a highly sought-after collector’s item.
Will there be more Black Series cars in the future?
While Mercedes-AMG has not officially announced the next model, the brand’s commitment to ultimate performance suggests the Black Series legacy will continue, likely adapted for the future of high-performance mobility, which may include electrified powertrains (hopefully not).
