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One of the biggest criticisms of the Mercedes SLR McLaren was that, impressive though it was, the performance just didn’t justify the enormous price tag. Mercedes isn’t about the make that mistake again, however, and is preparing the new Black Series version of the SL65 AMG towards that end.

As we’ve reported previously, the Black Series will get its performance edge through the application of the time-honored “more power, less weight” formula — the same kind of thinking that made the Ferrari 430 Scuderia the all-eclipsing supercar it is over the “ordinary” F430. Most of the body panels will be replaced, including the heavy folding roof mechanism, while the track up front and in the rear are being widened significantly. All the extra go-fast is anticipated to propel the Black Series to performance levels that will rival that of the SLR McLaren, but at a couple hundred thousand less. And that won’t even be the SLR’s replacement, with the even faster SLC down the pipeline. We’re promised a first look at the SL65 AMG Black Series this July at the German Grand Prix in advance of its official launch closer to the end of the year. (We’ll always have Paris.)
[Source: Autocar]

From all the details and disguised spy-shots, we knew the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series would look the business. But dang! The newest Black Series model was recently spied running “look at me” laps around the Nürburgring in a blazing white paint job.

We’ve already had several opportunities to give you the specs on the next supercar from Mercedes-Benz, and by now you should have them committed to memory if not tattooed on your forearm. To recap the salient points, we’re talking 670 hp out of AMG’s twin-turbo V12, a 570-lb weight-loss program and carbon fiber everything. A few more details to add to the picture: shift times on the five-speed automatic have been reduced down to 250 milliseconds – not quite Ferrari SuperFast territory, but not bad for a torque-converter – on one of two sport-shift settings, while the active suspension that replaces the standard model’s air suspension will likewise get two programs of its own. Unfortunately, word has it that the carbon-fiber racing buckets won’t make it Stateside due to a lack of side airbags. Oh, and that fixed carbon fiber roof? Apparently saving weight was only part of the reason. The other was that the folding roof mechanism reportedly wouldn’t fit between the Black Series’ steamroller rear tires. Yeah.
[Souce: Inside Line]