2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series first drive review: Wolf in wolf’s clothing

It truly is a disgustingly very hot working day in Florida, but the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series just isn’t breaking a sweat. This matter looks like it is really come straight out of hell, all snarly and bulgy, all set to defeat me up and acquire my lunch revenue. So you can forgive my short instant of intimidation although approaching the Magmabeam orange coupe, the phrases “most strong AMG V8 at any time” and “there are only two of these in the place appropriate now” echoing in my head. Black Series or not, the AMG GT is a full brute. And with 720 horsepower and some definitely insane aero, this one’s… nicely, it is really a doozy.

AMG redesigned the GT’s 4.-liter twin-turbo V8 for the Black Series, adopting a flat-aircraft crankshaft design that results in smoother, more powerful ability shipping and delivery, not to mention a fantastically sonorous soundtrack. The Black Series barks and burbles like any other GT, but the increase in aural high-quality will come down to refinement. You can participate in a single of my awful superior faculty rock band’s demo tapes just as loud as a history skillfully engineered by Steve Albini, but only a single of them’s likely to make it to the radio.

In addition to 720 hp, the 4.-liter V8 places out 590 pound-ft of torque. All that ability shoves its way to the rear wheels via AMG’s Speedshift 7-pace twin-clutch transmission, enabling the GT Black Series to strike 60 mph in 3.1 seconds — .4 seconds more quickly than the not-a-slouch AMG GT R. More impressively, the Black Series can strike 124 mph in less than 9 seconds, and if you’ve got got an autobahn or airstrip extended sufficient, it’s going to top out at 202 mph.

The Black Series’ extended use of carbon fiber results in a about 70-pound fat reduction around the GT R, and which is despite the addition of a total bunch of aero bits. You will find a vented hood, two-stage front splitter, new wheels and a single of the most absurd rear spoilers I have at any time witnessed. Check it: You will find a small ducktail spoiler in addition to a two-tier wing that looks like a brutalist bookshelf, and if which is not sufficient, there’s a small, ability-retractable flap on the tippy top. All instructed, Mercedes-Benz claims this extraordinary aero package results in 882 kilos of maximum downforce, keeping the Black Series flat as a pancake as a result of corners.

All those aero enhancements are a single of the factors why, despite hunting like a banshee, the GT Black Series is shockingly easy to tame on the observe. Credit score also goes to the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, which offer you heroic levels of grip. Continue to, for as delightfully devilish as this coupe looks although parked in the paddock, out on the observe it is really barely a handful. Progressive change-in and an easy-to-modulate throttle make it easy to attack corners both equally promptly and specifically, and there’s only the slightest playful shimmy from the rear stop when you lay back again into the gasoline and allow ‘er rip down a straight.

The Black Series has a borderline absurd amount of adjustability, but I suppose that suggests you can also tailor the driving experience to match your actual skill amount. There are four preset AMG systems — Simple, Advanced, Pro and Learn — that change many of the GT’s parameters dependent on how superior you are (or how superior you believe you are). On top of that, the Black Series-unique coilover suspension has three-stage adaptive dampers, with Comfort and ease, Sport and Sport Plus settings. If which is not sufficient, twist the yellow-rimmed dial just down below the central air vents to investigate the 9 different levels of traction command. Or, you know, go wild and change it off.

Nevertheless you decide on to established up the Black Series, it is really a wonderful companion for an afternoon of very hot lapping (and it is really Florida in June, so I imply very hot lapping). AMG’s difficult male is tactile and exact as you pace from corner to corner. In many methods it is really a large amount like a Porsche 911 GT2 RS — immensely able but reassuringly approachable. I am definitely not expressing this is a good automobile for 1st time observe drivers, but the Black Series has a amount of authority to its action that conjures up self-confidence and can make you want to consider tougher and drive quicker.

Similarly as extraordinary as the ability and steadiness are the Black Series’ brakes. The large, carbon-ceramic stoppers gradual factors down promptly and easily, and you can dive deeper into braking zones and really give the pedal a jab understanding the sudden action just isn’t likely to upset the GT’s stability. A large amount of carbon-ceramic brakes are difficult to modulate and have touchy pedal really feel, but that just isn’t the scenario listed here. Of course, my time with the AMG GT Black Series is only minimal to a few laps close to The Concours Club in Opa-Locka, Florida, so I won’t be able to talk to their grabbiness should really you come to a decision to use the Black Series for a speedy jaunt to Walgreens. I won’t be able to really talk to the suspension’s off-observe stiffness, both, but I am likely to believe this matter just isn’t particularly supple.

On that be aware, in conditions of livability, the Black Series is theoretically no much better or even worse than a standard AMG GT. The inside is just as cramped and challenging to see out of, but even now concluded in beautiful supplies with supportive sport seats. It truly is easy to get in and out although wearing a helmet, nevertheless I wish my arms had been about 3 inches longer when it will come time to reach for a strap and near the doorway. Dinamica suede strains the dashboard and steering wheel, and the centre console even now necessitates a weird contortion of your appropriate hand to set the gear selector in Travel or to reach the buttons on the passenger’s facet. Mercedes’ MBUX tech is rock sound, shown on a ten.3-inch central touchscreen with standard (wired) Apple CarPlay and Android Car connectivity. You will find a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, as well, this means that even nevertheless the Black Series is a super-targeted observe automobile, it would not skimp on cabin tech.

Then yet again, the AMG GT Black Series shouldn’t skimp on just about anything, thinking of its $326,050 selling price tag (including $1,050 for destination). And although I could squander digital ink hoping to set that selling price into context, it would not subject, considering that fewer than 400 of these Black Series coupes will be imported to the US, and every single one a single is spoken for. I just hope another person got a Magmabeam orange GT to match their new Cigarette boat.

Thinking about the present-day AMG GT coupe’s time on this earth is brief, this 720-hp riot on wheels serves as a single hell of a swan music — a single that follows in the footsteps of rockstars like the CLK63 AMG Black Series, SLS AMG Black Series and C63 AMG Black Series. It truly is a tremendously particular sports activities automobile packing the ideal of what AMG has to offer you, and nevertheless it looks like a lunatic, it is really a satisfying beast to tame.

Editors’ be aware: Vacation expenses associated to this tale had been lined by the maker, which is typical in the vehicle market. The judgments and views of Roadshow’s staff are our have and we do not settle for paid out editorial content.