Perhaps there is a reason Ferrari has used flat-plane crankshafts for decades. Treating a V8 as two 4-cylinders does away with heavy counterweights and allows for reliability past 9,000 rpm. Ford realized this when they began engineering the GT350, and Chevrolet C8.R took first and second at Sebring last weekend. The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is the latest supercar to ditch the traditional cross-plane architecture, and it is the most powerful AMG model ever.
What a flat-plane does do is move a ton more air than its predecessor. This is perfect for turbochargers, as the higher exhaust volume can be translated in higher boost pressure. Such is the case with the latest Black Series, as it offers 720 horsepower, and a whopping 590 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 6,000 rpm. It reaches 124 mph in 9 seconds, so it deserves its own exclusive paint colors. Pricing starts at $389,900, so click the link below to find our authorized Mercedes AMG dealers below.