SPY PICS: SLS Black is wildest Benz ever

Don’t be fooled by various other media reports: the sleek new gullwinged coupe seen undergoing Nurburgring testing in these fresh spy shots is not the all-new SLC ‘mini-SLS’ two-door that Mercedes-Benz will launch as a direct rival to Porsche’s 911 in 2014.

It is, in fact, a ballistic new Black Series version of the full-size SLS AMG Coupe, which will top the flagship Benz supercar model family when it goes on sale here in mid-2013.

Though details are scarce, the 2013 SLS Black Series is expected to deliver even more performance than the SLS AMG GT officially revealed last week. As we reported then, the SLS GT will not be released in Australia, where an even hotter version of the SLS – expected to be the Black Series seen here – has been confirmed for release in mid-2013.

Given the SLS GT’s tweaked 6.2-litre V8 produces some 435kW — 15kW more than the standard SLS — expect the range-topping Black Series to offer up to 450kW of power and no less than 677Nm of torque, upping the ante on both the regular SLS and GT (650Nm).

All that should be enough to lower the 0-100km/h performance of both the standard SLS AMG Coupe (3.8 seconds) and the new GT variant (3.7 seconds) to a cracking 3.5 seconds, bettering Porsche’s current 911 Turbo. Expect the Black to eclipse the GT’s 318km/h top speed by at least 5km/h, too.

As evidenced by the development prototype pictured here, the SLS Black features a more aggressive body kit including a specific front fascia, extended bumpers and chunkier side skirts.

The test mule snapped at the world’s most famous road circuit also wears beefier brakes and mismatched wheels, with larger rear alloys hinting at changes to the SLS chassis’ rear-end.

Merc’s newest Black model is also likely to improve upon the GT’s bespoke interior, which comprises all-new black leather and Alcantara seat trim with red stitching, and a red centre stack and seatbelts.

Other GT upgrades include darker tinted headlights, red brake calipers and glossy black finishes to the front grille, side mirrors and bonnet strakes.

Mercedes-Benz Australia Corporate Communications Manager Jerry Stamoulis last week told motoring.com.au that the SLS GT (which will be available in both coupe and roadster form in Europe) will not be imported here because an even wilder SLS variant will be made available to Australians.

“We're not taking SLS GT due to the timing... which would be mid to late next year,” he said. “(But) there is another SLS which we have put our hand up for, which we think would be more desirable for that market.”

Mr Stamoulis indicated that existing SLS owners are likely to be given preferential access to limited local supplies of the SLS Black Series, which will be positioned above the sold-out C63 AMG Coupe Black Series.

“Normally with AMG models we do give priority to our AMG customers,” he said.

— With Carparazzi

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