The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is the range-topping version of the AMG GT sports car. Unveiled in 2020, the Black Series model arrives six years after Mercedes-Benz debuted the AMG GT lineage, which now includes five road-legal models and two race-spec versions. The Black Series slots at the top of the range, featuring a race-inspired exterior and the most powerful iteration of the 4.0-liter V-8 engine yet. Heavily upgraded and capable of 720 horsepower, the Black Series' mill is also the most powerful production V-8 from AMG. The Black Series model is also the most expensive from the lineup and the only Mercedes-Benz that costs in excess of €300,000.

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 720
  • Torque: 590
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

- Based on the GT3 race car - Wider Panamericana grille - Two-stage front spoiler - Vented, race-spec hood - Wider fenders - Carbon-fiber body parts - Wide side skirts - Big, two-piece rear wing - Carbon-fiber tailgate - Race-spec diffuser - Fully paneled underbody

This becomes obvious as soon as you take a look a the front fascia, which is now dominated by an even bigger Panamericana grille. This element is notably wider at the bottom and looks a lot like the grilles seen on the race-spec models. This grille houses a new, much larger radiator air inlet that's taken from the AMG GT3 race car. The vertical struts are finished in dark chrome, a unique finish in the AMG GT lineup.

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But these aren't the only features that set the Black Series apart from the GT R. There's also a large, carbon-fiber splitter at the bottom of the bumper. This aero feature comes with two manually adjustable settings for Street and Race. When in Race mode, it extends forward, creating a reversed wing profile under the front section. The bumper also includes two flics at the corners, which not only increase downforce at the front axle but also improve brake cooling.

The Black Series also features a brand-new carbon-fiber hood. It's derived from motorsport and features two large air outlets that guide warm air out of the engine compartment. The air is also guided around the A-pillars and side windows to the rear, where it increases the efficiency of the new rear aerofoil.

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Moving further back onto the sides, we can see race-inspired side skirts with thin blades that transform into winglets toward the rear wheels. The rear fenders are also wider than usual.

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Around back, there's a massive wing that catches all the attention. The carbon-fiber element features two blades. The wider upper blade includes a movable flap in the center, which is electronically adjusted by 20 degrees depending on the driving situation and selected AMG Dynamics mode to improve longitudinal and transverse dynamics. In a flat position, it reduces the air resistance to help the car reach its top speed as quickly as possible. In the inclined position, the flap improves braking performance and cornering stability thanks to increased downforce at the rear axle.

Down below, we can see a much wider diffuser flanked by two round exhaust pipes on each side. The diffuser isn't as aggressive as the one on the race-spec GT3 and GT4 cars, but the overall assembly, also made from carbon-fiber, is bigger than the GT R's.

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The Black Series also sports a lightweight, carbon-fiber roof with a sunken center, as well as a carbon-fiber tailgate with small spoiler lip and rear windscreen made from lightweight, thin glass. The laminated glass windscreen in the front is also thin and, therefore, light.

Overall, the AMG GT Black Series is by far the most extreme looking version of the road-going AMG GT. And it's not far behind the track-only GT3 and GT4 in terms of aggressiveness and aerodynamics.

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Moving over to aero elements we can't see, the Black Series features an almost fully paneled underbody, a design also borrowed from the world of racing. The paneled underbody improves aerodynamics by accelerating airflow but also enables increased heat dissipation from the drivetrain.

Interior

- race-spec bucket seats - Nappa leather standard - microfiber with orange accents - AMG Performance steering wheel - 12.3-inch instrument cluster - 10.2-inch infotainment display - Custom displays - Microfiber-wrapped steering wheel - Aluminum shift paddles - Available AMG Track Package

While the exterior of the Black Series model is notably more aggressive than the GT R or other road-legal variants of the sports car, the interior is pretty much the same.

The latter is exclusive to the Black Series version. The dashboard is also wrapped in black microfiber, as are the door panels, but the latter bear no resemblance to the GT R, as they've been redesigned into lightweight panels similar to the GT3 race car. They also come with loop pulls instead of conventional door handles as a weight-saving measure. The AMG bucket seats are made from carbon-fiber and offer race-specific lateral support, but the bad news is that they won't be offered in the United States (or Canada and China for that matter). The U.S.-spec version will be fitted with the AMG Performance seats from the GT R. Now that's a shame...

If you don't fancy the flashy orange stitching, Mercedes-Benz offers an optional grey color.

But while they're identical to what you get in the GT R, both come with exclusive display patterns. The instrument cluster includes three designs for the AMG-specific display styles, which include Classic, Sporty, and Supersport. The latter places the rev counter in the center and projects exclusive information such as a prompt to shit up in manual transmission mode. The infotainment screen shows an animated presentation of the driving assistance systems and communication features.

The Black Series is obviously fitted with the AMG Performance steering wheel. This isn't an exclusive feature, but a wheel you can find on other AMG GT models, but the key difference here is that the rim is fully trimmed in Dinamica microfiber. That's inspired by the GT3 race car. It also includes "Black Series" lettering. Other common features include aluminum shift paddles, a round controlled with an integrated display, and two vertically positioned buttons with switches.

The lightweight bolted titanium-tube cage of the roll-over protection system consists of a main roll bar, a brace for mounting the seat belts, two rear braces, and a diagonal X-brace at the rear. This system also increases vehicle rigidity.

Drivetrain

- Revised 4.0-liter V-8 - Flat-plane crankshaft - 720 horsepower - 590 pound-feet of torque - Most powerful AMG GT ever - Most powerful AMG V-8 ever - 0 to 62 in 3.2 seconds - Top speed at 202 mph - Seven-speed DCT - Carbon-fiber driveshaft - Revised gear ratios - Improved Race Start function

The Black Series comes with a twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 engine under the hood. Although shared with the rest of the AMG GT lineup, this V-8 has been heavily revised. The biggest change is that it now features a flat-plane crankshaft. AMG also moved the exhaust side into the hot internal V for the two cylinder banks and developed new camshafts, larger turbo compressors, and bigger intercoolers.

Needless to say, the Black Series is way out of reach for the less powerful GT, GT S, and GT C models, rated at 469, 515, and 550 horsepower, respectively. The Black Series is also notably more powerful than the race-spec GT3 Evo, which is fitted with a naturally aspirated V-8 that cranks out 622 horsepower.

Mercedes-Benz also claims that the Black Series accelerates from 0 to 124 mph in less than nine seconds. Given that the AMG GT R charges to 124 mph in 9.9 seconds, the Black Series is at least a full second quicker, and that's mighty impressive. However, it's still notably slower than a sports car with similar power. The McLaren 720S and the Ferrari F8 Tributo, for instance, need less than eight seconds to hit the same benchmark.

That's four mph more than the AMG GT R. The GT, GT S, and GT C are no match for the Black Series, as they are rated far below at 189, 190, and 196 mph, respectively. This also means that the Black Series is the only road-legal AMG GT model that surpasses the 200-mph benchmark.

All that power coming from the V-8 engine goes through a carbon-fiber driveshaft placed inside a carbon-fiber torque tube to the rear-mounted, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The transmission is shared with other AMG GT models, but Mercedes says it has been upgraded to handle the extra power and torque. The gearbox also features revised gear ratios and shift logic, which contributes to the car's notably quicker 0-to-62 mph sprints. The Black Series also benefits from improved engine response and comes with a Race Start function with increased starting revs and more sensitive wheel slip control.



Suspension and Brakes

The design is very similar to that in the AMG GT R, so it features motorsport-sourced technology combined with the company's AMG Ride Control, a continuously variable, adaptive damping system. The system is electronically controlled and automatically adapts the damping on each wheel to the current handling situation, the speed, and the road conditions. However, the valves that modulate the damping characteristics are new for the Black Series model and react quicker than those in the AMG GT R.

The damping settings can also be adjusted via the AMG Drive Unit button, which operates one of three modes. There's Comfort and Sport for public roads, with the latter being a firmer setting for a sportier ride and less comfort. It can also be used on race tracks with slippery road conditions. Sport Plus was created specifically for racing and comes with a special feature through which the system automatically recognizes the quality of the track surface and adapts accordingly. Specifically, the system will be able to tell if you're driving on a flat and smooth course like Hockenheim or a bumpy track like the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

Mercedes also focused on making the suspension assembly lighter. The dual adjustable torsion bar is made of carbon-fiber, while the rear axle, made from steel, features a hollow tube design.

Stopping power comes from a ceramic, high-performance compound braking system that also includes special brake pads and discs modified optimal cooling and non-fading deceleration. The wheels are wrapped in Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO tires designed specifically for the Black Series. The rubber comes in a soft compound version as standard, but you can opt for a hard compound design for track use at higher temperatures.

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series costs more than full-fledged supercars

And the bad news, at least for Mercedes-AMG, is that these supercars are actually notably more affordable. In Europe, the McLaren 720S starts from around €273,000, which means that the GT Black Series commands a €60,000 premium. Likewise, the Ferrari F8 Tribute starts from around €250,000, a solid €85,000 less than the Black Series. So is Merc's latest coupe worth it? Let's find out below.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series better than the McLaren 720S?

Design-wise, the Black Series looks like a full-fledged GT3-spec race car. The 720S doesn't have that, mostly because it doesn't feature a massive wing in the rear. However, the McLaren looks like a proper muscle car thanks to its sleek body, low roof, and mid-engined layout. When it comes to performance, they're actually very similar. The Black Series comes with a twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8, the 720S is also powered by a twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8. While the Merc pumps 720 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, the McLaren comes with 710 horses and 590 pound-feet on tap. So the German coupe boasts an additional ten horsepower. But is the Black Series quicker? No! The 720S wins the 0-to-62 mph sprint by a notable 0.3 seconds. The British supercar hits the benchmark in 2.9 seconds, whereas the Merc gets there in 3.2 clicks. The 720S also benefits from the higher top speed at 217 vs. 202 mph. But there's another thing. For the price of the Black Series, you can actually buy the McLaren 765LT, the track-focused version of the 720S. It comes with a proper wing, more race-spec gear, and a V-8 turned to deliver 755 horsepower, 35 more than the Black Series.

Read our full story on the McLaren 720S.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series better than the Ferrari F8 Tributo

Well, it's pretty much the same thing as with the McLaren 720S. The F8 Tributo might not have the rear wing and the vented engine hood and fenders of a GT3-spec race car, but it looks sleeker thanks to its mid-engine layout. It also features a twin-turbo V-8, this time around a 3.9-liter unit, and comes howling with 710 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. That's ten horses and 22 pound-feet below the Black Series, but this doesn't stop the Ferrari from hitting 62 mph from a standing start in 2.9 seconds, three tenths quicker than the Merc. With a top speed of 211 mph, the F8 Tributo is also nine mph faster than the Black Series. Although quicker, the F8 Tributo is notably more affordable at around €250,000. This means you can buy one and spent a whopping €80,000 on options and days at the track.

Read our full story on the Ferrari F8 Tributo.

Conclusion

The AMG GT Black Series is by far the most extreme Mercedes built so far. It's basically a road-legal version of the Mercedes-AMG GT3, and that's exactly what customers wanted. It's fitted with the best race-spec gear out there, and it will probably be very quick on just about any race track. However, it's not as quick as the entry-level supercars from Ferrari and McLaren, and it will probably be slower than the upcoming versions of the Porsche 911 GT3 and GT2. Granted, it's not fair to compare a front-engined car to vehicles with mid-engined and rear-engined layouts, but I'm doing that because there's no track-ready, front-engined production model with more than 700 horsepower to compare it to. So when it comes to this specific layout, the Black Series competes in its own niche, and it will be very difficult for a company to deliver something better.

Black Series history

The Black Series is a run of extremely exclusive and rare AMG models usually fitted with technology from motorsport and upgraded engines with more power. Black Series models are quite rare, with the AMG GT Black Series being only the sixth of its kind since 2006.

The Black Series badge debuted in late 2006 with the SLK 55 AMG. It came with a 5.5-liter V-8 rated at 400 horsepower, 40 more than the standard model, and upgrades such as adjustable suspension, Pirelli tires, and a fixed carbon-fiber roof. Only 120 were built. The CLK63 AMG Black Series followed in 2007 with a V-8 rated at 500 horsepower and limited to 700 units. In 2008, Mercedes gave the SL 65 AMG the Black Series treatment, now with a turbocharged, 6.0-liter V-12 good for 661 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. It was wider, the folding top was replaced by a carbon-fiber roof, and only the doors and the mirrors were shared with the regular SL. AMG built 350 units, but this car was co-developed with HWA Engineering.

The fourth car from the lineup, the C63 AMG Coupe Black Series debuted in 2011 with a version of the 6.2-liter V-8 from the CLK63 Black Series. It featured similar updates, a power rating of 510 horsepower, and a production run of 800 units. The last Black Series model was based on the spiritual predecessor to the AMG GT, the SLS AMG, and arrived in 2013. Powered by a 6.2-liter V-8 that generated 622 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque, the SLS AMG Black Series was loaded with carbon-fiber panels, and its production run included just 350 examples. The AMG GT Black Series is thus the first Black Series model in seven years.

Spy Shots

March 24, 2020 – AMG GT Black Series: Fine-Tuned and Ready for Production

It has been almost six months to the day since we last saw the AMG GT Black Series and, with the current model scheduled for replacement in 2021, the Black Series will be the final model of this generation and should be launched very soon. As a limited-run model, the Black Series makes use of every aerodynamic trick in AMG's playbook, and, as you can see, the hood vents are deeper, the fender vents have been opened up, and the corner air intakes on the front fascia have been integrated. This prototype also features production-ready headlights and revised mirrors – these ones a bit taller than those seen on the last prototype. Around back, everything remains the same, including the taillights, massive rear spoiler, and corner vents. However, this time around, the rear diffuser is angled upward at a steeper degree, and the exhaust outlets are now much larger than before.

With this in mind, the AMG GT Black Series Should debut in late 2020 as a limited-run, 2021 model as a final goodbye to the first-gen GT.

September 23, 2019 – Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, the Last of a Dying Breed

Compared to the last time we saw the AMG GT Black Series – a little more than a month ago – a lot has changed. The front grill has grown by a large factor. The layout of the camo makes it look similar in shape to Ford's current grille, but don't let that throw you off. The one thing we can be sure of here is that the GT Black Series will be snarling…. All of the time. The big corner intakes have been reduced to smaller vents while the air dam has grown much smaller as well. The hood also looks like it's a little more muscular than before as well.

The side profile on this prototype hasn't changed at all, but the rear end has been altered a little more than we expected. Where there was once a smaller wing, there is now a massive unit with two different levels, the upper deck being the larger of the two. Since the prototype was moving at speed, zooming in doesn't yield any benefit, but we're guessing there's at least some adjustment possible here. The rear fascia has gone under the knife as well, and a production-ready diffuser is in place.

We know that the AMG GT Black Series is expected to be the last model of the GT lineup for this generation, with the second-gen models slated for debut sometime in 2021. As such, the GT Black Series, and its limited goodness, should be making its debut sometime in the next few months or, at the very least, in the first quarter of 2020.

August 10, 2019 – Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Hitting the Open Road

The last time we saw the GT Black Series, it was wearing a different front fascia that featured a weird set of flics across the corner vents (undoubtedly for more downforce), but this time, the car looks different. This time around, it has the same front fascia as the prototype that we saw without camo nearly two years ago on August 27, 2017. Is Mercedes going backward with these prototypes, or are we actually looking at two different models? Well, in comparison to the mule seen in 2017, the louvers in the corner vents have been brought forward and may actually serve as a middle ground between having none at all and those overly large flics and front spoiler on the last mule. This model, however, has a vent right in the center of the hood, and the hood itself is more sculpted than ever. It actually looks quite mean, doesn't it? This prototype here is most likely the model that we'll see make its debut in September 2019 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Check back with us soon for any new updates!

April 10, 2019 – Mercedes AMG GT Black Series Ripping Up the Nurburgring

A lot has happened since we last saw what we thought was the AMG GT Black Series. To this day, we still don't know if that's what we were looking at way back then, but Mercedes has now confirmed that it is coming, so there's a good chance that this is it. Considering this "new" prototype is wearing a bunch of camo over a green finish, it's quite possible that the old spy shots were a mule with upgrades under the skin and familiar aero on the outside. All of this isn't just about logic, though; outside of Mercedes' confirmation, this prototype is wearing a whole bunch of revised aero. The front bumper is completely different than what we see on the GT R Pro. It has new canards and a more aggressive splitter, both of which are overshadowed by the horizontal flics – yet another new development.

In the rear, the differences are outrageously obvious. Just look at the rear diffuser and the very non-production taillamps. And, if that's not enough to set the record straight, just how aggressive is that rear spoiler? Well, it's's more aggressive than that of the GT R Pro, anyway. There's still no word as to when we'll actually see the GT Black Series, but there's a very good chance we'll see it sometime in 2019.

August 28, 2017 - Possible Mercedes AMG GT Black Series caught testing

Update History

Update 09/23/2019: Our spy photographers caught the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series doing some final testing before its big debut. Check out our latest pictures in newly updated spy shots section below.

Update 08/10/2019: It's's been exactly four months since we last saw the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, and here we are looking at a new prototype. Has anything changed? Check out our spy shots section below to find out for yourself!

Update 04/10/2019: It's's been more than a year since we last saw AMG GT Black Series, but we think we've spotted it yet again. Check out our Spy Shots section below to see what's new!

Updated 11/12/2018: Our spy photographers caught the beefed-up GT R testing on public roads again! Check out the photos in the gallery section.

FAQ

Q: What sets the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series apart from the AMG GT R?

The first thing that catches the eye is the fact that the Black Series is fitted with race-spec bucket seats as standard. But the cabin is also draped in Nappa leather, which is combined with Dinamica microfiber in black and orange contrast stitching.

Q: Is the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series more powerful than the AMG GT R?

The Black Series is actually significantly more powerful than the GT R. The latter comes with 577 horsepower and 516 pound-feet on tap, so the Black Series benefits from an extra 143 horses and an additional 74 pound-feet of twist.

Q: Is the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series quicker than the AMG GT R?

The AMG GT Black Series hits 62 mph from a standing start in 3.2 seconds, and that's four-tenths quicker than the AMG GT R, rated at 3.6 clicks. Not only much quicker than the GT R, but the Black Series is also the quickest road-going version of the Mercedes-AMG GT lineup.

Q: How much does the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series cost?

U.S. pricing for the AMG GT Black Series is not yet available, but the coupe starts from €335,715 in Germany. This sticker makes it the most expensive Mercedes-Benz model available by far, as no other vehicle from the company's lineup exceeds €200,000 before options. €335,715 converts to around $394,000 as of July 2020. Granted, the AMG GT Black Series won't cost as much in the U.S., but it will still fetch more than $350,000 before options. And that's colossal, even for a Mercedes-Benz.

Q: Is the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series more expensive than the AMG GT R?

Since it's the most expensive Merc out there, the Black Series will also cost way more than any other model from the AMG GT lineup. The most expensive model to date, the AMG GT R, comes in at $162,900. This means that the Black Series will cost more than two GT Rs combined. The AMG GT R is available with a Pro package that takes pricing up to $200,645, but it's still notably more affordable than the Black Series.