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The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG went into production in 2010, having been unveiled to universal acclaim at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Penned by Mark Fetherston, it was conceived from the outset to be a spiritual successor to the now legendary 300 SL Gullwing, as well as a literal successor to the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, which concluded production in 2009. It was also the first clean-sheet design for AMG following the storied performance firm’s complete acquisition by Mercedes-Benz in 2005.
Like the 300 SL, the defining elements of this new supercar were its iconic gullwing doors, relatively lightweight body, and phenomenal powerplant, the latter of which endowed the SLS AMG with jaw-dropping performance and one of the most evocative V-8 soundtracks of the modern era. The car was an immediate success, praised by the motoring press and general public alike. But there was room for additional development, and the pinnacle of the model’s evolution arrived in the form of the SLS AMG Black Series for the 2014 model year.
Offered solely as a coupe, the SLS AMG Black Series pushed the model’s already-impressive performance envelope to the limit. Competing directly with Lamborghini’s Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera and Ferrari’s 458 Speciale, this exclusive offering was thoroughly reworked and revised inside and out. The engine was updated with modified camshafts, revised cam geometry, and special racing-specification tappets; its 6.2-liter V-8 produced an incredible 622 horsepower and 468-pound-feet of torque, making it the highest-horsepower naturally aspirated production V-8 in the world at the time. Mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, the Black Series coupe could sprint from 0–60 mph in a stated 3.5 seconds en route to a 196-mph top speed.
The improvements went far beyond the engine bay, encompassing the intake air ducting in the body panels, mechanical components, and inner framework; the interior was trimmed largely in Alcantara; and the factory steel exhaust was replaced by a unique titanium system, all reducing weight. In total, the SLS AMG Black Series weighed 150 pounds less than its standard brethren, further contributing to its track-ready potential.
Finished in stunning designo Mystic White II over a black interior, this SLS AMG Black Series was delivered new to its first and only owner in trade for a standard SLS AMG in October of 2013 through Ray Catena Mercedes-Benz of Edison, New Jersey. The car’s only options were Black Series Forged wheels (19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear) finished in contrasting black, as well as the Black Series Telematics Packages, which included GPS navigation with SiriusXM Radio, DVD/CD changer, Voice Control, Blind Spot Assist, and a rearview camera to assist in parking and reversing.
Since then, the car has been driven 616 miles from new at time of cataloguing. As expected given its low mileage and single ownership, it presents in exquisite condition both inside and out; it is accompanied by its window sticker, sales invoice, and sales brochure. In preparation for the sale, the car received a routine service from Ray Catena Mercedes-Benz in February 2023.
As the spiritual successor to the iconic 300 SL Gullwing, the SLS AMG is one of the most notable Mercedes-Benz offerings in recent memory, and the exclusive Black Series elevates the already impressive model to even more thrilling heights. This stunning, minimally driven single-owner car is surely one of the finest SLS AMG Black Series coupes available for acquisition today; it is an unmissable opportunity for a discriminating collector, or an enthusiast looking to sample an as-new example of one of Mercedes-Benz and AMG’s most exciting cars of the 21st century.
This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island sale, taking place 4 March 2023. View all lots and register to bid online at rmsothebys.com.
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Sources: RM Sotheby’s
