Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series Revealed, Q3 2013 Australian Launch

Mercedes-Benz has pulled the covers and all the stops from its hi-po SLS AMG Black Series this week, after months of speculation and spy photos. 

Boasting a host of styling, aerodynamic, mechanical and handling upgrages, the supercoupe enters as the fifth Merc to carry the Black Series badge, topping the small range as a new flagship.

Merc's in-house AMG tuning arm has wrung another 44kW out of the SLS' 6.3 litre V8 engine, giving the big coupe a huge 464kW and 635Nm of torque.

Despite the significant power increase, the Black Series isn't the most powerful version of the SLS AMG: that honour belongs to the Electric Drive model, which offers a bonkers 552kW.

Still, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.6 seconds, and a new 8000 RPM rev limit (up from 7200), the SLS AMG Black Series should keep the purists contented.

Coaxing that extra power out of the big V8 necessitated a remapping of the ECU, along with upgraded camshafts and tappets with a special race-focused coating.