What is it?
Quite simply one of the maddest Mercedes-Benz models to have ever been produced. Forget the SLR, or even this car's spiritual successor, the CLK DTM, this Black Series is absolutely crazy. Produced by AMG's Performance Studio, the Black Series takes the already quick CLK 63 AMG and gives it more focus, more power and a hefty increase in price. It's more than a mere visual makeover and touch of engine tweaking too, the CLK Black Series has undergone some comprehensive changes, meaning there's little that's not been touched in pursuit of more speed and accuracy.
It's the second AMG Black Series to be produced, and if you think it looks a touch familiar then squint a little, add some orange flashing lights and F1 stickers and you're effectively looking at the car that spends the weekend keeping hot-headed Formula One drivers in check in its role as the F1 Safety Car. Anything that's got the task of herding up F1 cars needs to be rapid and the Black Series certainly isn't lacking.
Is it any good?
Oh yeah. It's good. Firstly the engine in standard guise is something of a masterpiece, the AMG 6.2-litre V8 revving like a nutter and delivering huge power. But in the Black Series the standard 474bhp has been raised to a pleasingly rounded 500bhp and the 0-62mph time dropping from 4.6 to 4.3 seconds. But it's more than a mere boost in power, AMG's people also spending a great deal of time on the suspension. The car is lower, wider and adjustable, the significantly increased track clothed by some pretty serious looking wheel arch blisters that signal the Black Series' intent.
Lighter panels, the removal of the rear seats, sports bucket front seats, lighter wheels, additional engine and transmission coolers, bigger brakes and recalibrated electronic stability and safety systems heighten the driving experience significantly. It can all be tailored to your preference too, much like a race car. The engine note is savage, tearing through you with a menace that's more akin to a piston-engined fighter plane than anything for the road. The performance is extraordinary too, that engine seemingly never running out of power, the more focused chassis delivering more feel and poise than anything wearing the three-pointed star, with the exception perhaps of Hamilton's weekend wheels.
Should I call the bank manager?
The chances are if you're in the position to drop the £100,000 necessary to get your hands on this bonkers Benz you'll either be the bank manager yourself, or have sufficient funds to not need to bother the bank. £100k might seem preposterous for what's basically a hotted-up version of an already very fast and capable car, but there's no limit these days as to how far the wealthy will go for that added bit of exclusivity. Its most natural rivals - like Porsche's GT3 - costs similar money if you opt for the carbon ceramic brakes, while Ferrari's new 430 Scuderia will set you back over half again. The CLK Black will always be more exclusive than this pair, too. If you're a Mercedes AMG fan with money to burn then it's a must have car.
Summary
By any rational measure the CLK 63 AMG Black Series is a pointless car. But how wonderfully pointless. A Porsche GT3 or Ferrari Scuderia will thrill more with their delicacy and poise, but the CLK never fails to amuse with its phenomenal pace and spine-tingling soundtrack. It's a super-exclusive purchase too that's built to your special order. If we had the money we'd have one in our dream garage for the noise alone.
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