2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Performance

The GT Black Series follows the same standard recipe as the rest of the GT range. A front mid-mounted 4.0-liter V8 coupled to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission sending all the power to the rear wheels.

But it's not the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 we know and love. AMG's engineering team made significant changes, including changing the engine from a cross-plane V8 to a flat-plane version of the same, resulting in 720 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. The sprint to 60 mph takes 3.1 seconds, and it will keep on pulling all the way to 202 mph. Competitors like the F8 Tributo and Huracan Evo get there quicker, but the Lambo has all-wheel-drive traction, while Ferrari's rear-mid engine placement means a better weight balance when launch control is engaged.

The easiest way to demonstrate the GT Black's performance is by comparing its Nurburgring time against the time set by the already manic AMG GT-R. The GT R Pro took 7:04.632 to get around the Green Hell, while the Black set a time of 6:48.047 to get around the full 12.944-mile course and an even crazier 6:43.616 around the shorter 12.8-mile effort. At the time, that made it the fastest production car in the world around the famed circuit.

The AMG team made some significant changes to get 720 hp out of AMG's famous 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine. The standard cross-plane crankshaft is replaced with a flat-plane unit improving low-down torque, its ability to rev out higher, and overall smoothness. Other upgrades include new camshafts and exhaust manifolds. The hot-vee configuration for the turbos remains, but the twin-scroll turbochargers are equipped with low-friction bearings to improve throttle response. This powertrain isn't as vocal as the standard 4.0L, but the positive attributes more than make up for it.

Once again, we need to compare it to the previous halo model in the GT range to truly show how big a step up this is. The GT R produced 577 hp at 6,250 rpm and 516 lb-ft at 1,900 rpm. The Black Series' 4.0-liter makes 590 lb-ft of torque from 2,000 rpm all the way to 6,000 rpm. Maximum power only arrives at 6,700 rpm and holds steady until 6,900. This means you have an engine with a powerful and linear torque curve that also loves to be revved to 7,000 rpm.

To harness all of this, AMG strengthened the seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle gearbox to cope with the additional torque. The quality of the shift depends on the driving mode. It has Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Race modes. Race mode works beautifully on track, but combining this with the transmission in manual mode offers the ultimate control over the updated engine. Race Mode also engages Race Start, otherwise known as launch control. It's mighty impressive how AMG can get a RWD car with this much power to launch so hard.

According to the EPA-estimated figures, the 2021 AMG GT Black Series is capable of 15/20/17 mpg city/highway/combined in the USA. That makes it slightly more efficient than the GT R, which has EPA-estimated figures of 14/20/16 mpg. Equipped with a 19.8-gallon gas tank and a thirst for premium gasoline, you could technically manage 337 miles between stops, but that would be missing the point. The GT Black Series isn't a car for hypermiling, it's a car for race track domination at whatever cost.