Unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show last November, the unrivalled Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series has landed in SA looking as fresh as ever in AMG solar beam exterior paint and optimised bucket tappets featuring a special coating which is otherwise exclusive to racing vehicles.

The Black Series model currently on show at the Johannesburg International Motor Show, is described by Mercedes-Benz as aspiritual successorto the 300SL Gullwing, and more than that, its packed with performance upgrades that resonate with its aggresive looks.

GT3-inspired body kit

The Black Series is further distinguished by an aerodynamic body kit that includes new bumpers, revised side skirts, flared fenders and a rear diffuser. The model also has darkened headlamps and black surrounds for the rear lights, carbon inserts in the side sills and the rear apron made of carbon fibre as well as 19- / 20-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.

Power comes from a 6.2-liter V8 engine equipped with a fully revised high-speed valve train with modified camshafts, adapted cam geometry and optimized bucket tappets featuring a special coating that is typically used on race vehicles. This allows the engine to develop 464kW of power and 634Nm of torque. Its connection to a seven-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT dual-clutch transmission enables the supercar to sprint from 0-60 km/h in 3.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 315 km/h.

Other highlights include a carbon fibre torque tube, a CFRP drive shaft and a lightweight lithium-ion battery, rear aerofoil braced by aluminium elements on a special insert on the boot lid, and additional carbon-fibre flics on the front apron.

Click the link to read our detailed article on the Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Black Series and check out the full gallery from the motor show below.

Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Black Series gallery