2020 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series - Images, Specifications and Information

The double wishbone concept locates the wheel with high camber and toe-in stability. This enables high cornering speeds and gives the driver optimum road feel when cornering at the extreme limits. Wishbones, steering knuckles and hub carriers on the front and rear axle are made entirely from forged aluminium in order to reduce the unsprung masses. The spherical bearings on the upper and lower wishbones of the rear axle come straight from motorsport. Their design means they have no play, which means toe-in and camber do not change even under high loads. The AMG GT Black Series therefore allows for precise steering, gives clear steering feedback and thus delivers better cornering performance, too.

As with the AMG GT R, an AMG coil-over suspension with adjustable spring preload is used in the Black Series, with technology which is adapted to meet the specific requirements for extreme racetrack use with high damping forces. The technology familiar from motorsport is combined with the AMG RIDE CONTROL 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. The damping characteristics are modulated rapidly and precisely by two separate valves for the rebound and compression forces in the dampers. These valves are new, are also based on motorsport technology, and react in an even more agile manner to fast suspension movements. A harder damping rate, for example when cornering and braking, effectively reduces rolling movements. The continuously variable adjustment of the damping to suit the current speed also ensures the best possible road contact and thus enhances safety, even at high speeds.

The driver can also adjust the adaptive damping characteristics at the touch of a button in the AMG DRIVE UNIT or by using the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive modes. Three modes are available: “Comfort”, “Sport” and “Sport Plus”. The modified logic means that there is an even better trade-off. “Comfort” and “Sport” are the right choice for public roads. In “Sport”, the damping is firmer, with a sportier body connection and less comfort - and can also be chosen for racetracks if more slippery track conditions prevail as a result of wet conditions. “Sport Plus” is ideal for use on racetracks, as it has a special feature: The system automatically recognises the quality of the track surface, i.e. whether the car is being driven on a flat Grand Prix course like Hockenheim or a bumpy track like the Nürburgring North Loop. It then automatically adapts the level of electronic damping in “Sport Plus”. To develop this logic, the Black Series was tailored to a wide range of different track types and the adaptation perfected.

The front axle is fitted with a dual adjustable torsion bar made of lightweight carbon fibre. The car has this short (i.e. firm) connection as its default setting. Its counterpart at the rear axle is made of steel, is triple adjustable, and saves weight thanks to its hollow tube design. From the default “central” position, it can be adjusted to one level harder (short connection) or softer (long connection). The carbon-fibre shear panel in the rear underbody supports the high driving precision. This lightweight and rigid element stiffens the rear-end structure and as a result makes the bodyshell even more stable. The electronically controlled dynamic engine and transmission mounts were also retuned to further increase the agility and deliver high-precision response and clear feedback.

Other suspension measures include the wide track at the front and rear, and the manually adjustable camber at the front and rear axle. This means that exceptionally high camber values can be set, which are only used for the purpose of increasing performance in motorsport on cordoned-off racetracks.

A Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO tyre, specially customised for the Black Series, has been developed in collaboration with MICHELIN. As is only the custom in motorsport, this sports tyre is exclusively available for Mercedes-AMG in two compounds: The standard tyre fitted ex factory is the soft-compound MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO1A, whose side flank enhances the silhouette of the AMG GT Black Series. A 'hard compound' is also available as a retrofitting option for racetrack use at higher temperatures. As well as the MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO2 designation, it can be identified by the tyre compound available from the AMG Performance Centre, with the hallmark motorsport sticker from the French tyre manufacturer. The sizes are 10 J x 19 wheels with 285/35 ZR 19 tyres (front) and 12 J x 20 wheel with 335/30 ZR 20 tyres (rear).

For use on cordoned-off racetracks in ESP OFF mode, the AMG TRACTION CONTROL enables the driver to get individual support for controlling the immense power of the Black Series – and without any ESP brake intervention whatsoever. The level of support can be fine-tuned, providing the ideal level of assistance for each driver and each track situation. The AMG TRACTION CONTROL has been extensively tailored to meet the requirements of the new Black Series and allows preselection of one of nine slip settings on the live rear axle. Control is exclusively via corresponding maps in the engine electronics and without any intervention in the ESP system, as is also the case with the GT3 racing car.

It is operated via a separate adjuster in the central console. It can also be operated while wearing racing gloves in its central position in the dashboard. Depending on the setting, the system permits more or less slip on the rear wheels – very helpful in varying road conditions. Level 1 is programmed for driving in the wet with high safety reserves. Level 9 allows maximum slip on the rear axle. Each setting is displayed on the adjuster itself and in the instrument cluster's central display.

The AMG development has a major advantage over conventional systems in that it anticipates situations with the help of a friction coefficient evaluator and other data processed by a control unit within a fraction of a second. The maximum permissible drive slip on the rear wheels is calculated depending on the selected AMG TRACTION CONTROL level. When the wheels reach this level of slip during acceleration, the traction control modulates the engine output so that this level is not exceeded and the vehicle continues accelerating with this specified slip. The system algorithms have been systematically developed as a double control variable model and not only control the engine's drive torque, but also the locking level of the electronic differential lock.

The interior design emphasises the pole position of the AMG GT Black Series: Exclusive nappa leather is combined with sporty DINAMICA microfibre in black with orange contrasting topstitching. The instrument panel and the newly designed lightweight door panels, which are now equipped with loop pull handles instead of conventional handles, are trimmed in black DINAMICA microfibre. Further orange contrasting topstitching, matt black carbon-fibre trim and the Interior Night Package add further striking highlights. The AMG carbon-fibre bucket seats (not available in the USA, Canada and China) combine low weight with optimum lateral support. In the USA, Canada and China, the Black Series is equipped with AMG Performance seats as standard. The interior is also optionally available with grey contrasting topstitching.

The AMG GT Black Series features the fully digital instrument displays from the AMG GT family with an instrument cluster measuring 12.3 inches in front of the driver, and a 10.25-inch multimedia monitor on the centre console. The instrument cluster offers different designs with the three AMG-specific display styles: “Classic”, “Sporty” or “Supersport”. The “Supersport” view with a central rev counter features extensive additional information, such as a prompt to shift up in manual transmission mode, the ‘shift light’. The visualisations on the multimedia display enable further vehicle functions to be experienced, e.g. with animated presentations of the driving assistance, vehicle and communication systems.

The innovative, coloured display buttons in the V-shaped central console integrate the display and control of transmission logic, suspension, ESP, exhaust system, rear aerofoil flap and start/stop function. The TFT display buttons use intuitively comprehensible symbols to show their functions and are easy to operate with just a small tap of the finger. As they still have a mechanical pressure point, they can also be operated whilst wearing racing gloves. The display buttons are supplemented by the two rocker switches for the drive programs and volume control of the audio system.

The AMG Performance steering wheel is also adopted from the AMG GT family. It is characterised by its sporty design, a flattened bottom section with a heavily contoured rim and intuitive operation. The steering wheel rim is fully trimmed in DINAMICA microfibre, while the steering wheel badge exclusively features the Black Series lettering, along with the AMG logo. The aluminium steering wheel shift paddles for manual gear changes allow even sportier driving. The integrated Touch Control buttons can be used to control the instrument cluster and the multimedia display by means of horizontal and vertical finger swipes.

As standard, the AMG steering wheel buttons also have a round controller with an integrated display, as well as two vertically positioned coloured display buttons with switches. The AMG drive programs can be activated using the right controller. The selected setting is shown on the colour LCD display directly integrated in the controller.

The two freely configurable display buttons and the additional switches on the left side enable further AMG functions to be controlled directly on the steering wheel. This means that the driver can concentrate fully on high-speed driving without having to take their hands off the wheel. Each required function can be depicted by a display icon, which the driver can set using the respective switch. So the two individually preferred AMG functions can be defined exactly and the settings changed with just a tap of the finger.

The AMG Interior Night Package also comes as standard. In this package, the shift paddles, steering wheel spokes and seat insert in the optional AMG Performance seats are finished in high-gloss black, while the door sill panels are in black brushed stainless steel, further emphasising the car's sportiness.

The AMG Track Package is available as an option in several markets (only in combination with the AMG carbon-fibre bucket seats - not for the USA, Canada and China). It comprises a roll-over protection system, 4-point seatbelts for driver and front passenger, and a 2 kg fire extinguisher (both items exclusively designed for racetrack use). 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. The system further increases the already excellent vehicle rigidity and thus also has a positive influence on the vehicle's driving dynamics. It also increases passive safety.
<< Prev Page 3 of 3

Article

Image gallery (48)

WMX1903812A042557

Specifications

Add your comments on the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series

All Cars - Contact us - Privacy Statement - Top