Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro ruled out for Oz

The newest Mercedes-AMG hero car, the track-tuned GT R Pro, is a non-starter for Australia.

But the bad news is actually good news for fans of the fastest cars from the silver star.

There will be an epic Black Series development of the AMG speed machine before the end of the year and it is a definite for Australia.

No-one is talking officially about the GT Black but there are plenty of hints as the facelifted MG GT Coupe is revealed to the Australian motoring media at the Hockenheim track in Germany.

“Maybe. I can only say that something is being considered. We are always good for surprises,” head of AMG product management for the GT range and C-Class cars, Jonathan Schopp, told carsales.com.au.

Without saying the B-word, Schopp admits that a more extreme and extremely limited GT is more than just a good idea.

“We are still looking into it. Our goal is to produce one less cars than the customers want.”

Schopp’s comments follow last year’s confirmation by AMG chief Tobias Moers that a GT Black Series was under development.

AMG’s updated GT cars are coming Down Under in quarter three and Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman, Jerry Stamoulis, makes no apologies for saying no to the GT R Pro.

Without using the B-word, he virtually confirms the Black Series as the reason for the no GT R Pro decision in Australia, for which the Black has now been indirectly confirmed.

“Australian AMG customers are content with the performance of the AMG GT R, considering the number of time most of them will take it to a racetrack,” Stamoulis says.

“We know this considering the low demand that we had for demand for the GTR Pro, but the high demand for something else that is scheduled to arrive at a later date is clear.”

There have been four previous Black Series cars in Australia — CLK 63, SL 65, C 63 and SLS — which all had huge performance and arrived in limited numbers.

The success of the series is reflected in current prices of the SLS Black Series, which top $1 million.

“In Australia there were eight cars. Obviously it was a very limited number,” Stamoulis says.

“The values of those vehicles in Australia have almost doubled.”

Changes to the latest GT two-door models include some minor visual work on the body and an updated cabin that mirrors the upcoming GT 4-Door Coupe, with the GT R Pro as the headliner.

“For us, at the moment, it’s the ultimate brand shaper. It’s the car that is closest to our race cars,” says Schopp.

“It’s a very special car. We feel it is a good number. It has an even sharper profile.”

Although nothing is official, two things are a definite on the GT Black Series program.

Firstly, the whole body of the car, with the exception of its aluminium doors, will be made from lightweight carbon-fibre.

Secondly, the GT Black will become the first Mercedes-AMG road car to lap the Nurburgring in less than seven minutes. The GT R Pro has already managed 7:04, and the Black should slash that mark by as much as 20 seconds.