Mercedes-AMG Black Series future uncertain

Mercedes-AMG’s Black Series family hasn’t had a new addition since the SLS in 2013, and according to company boss Tobias Moers, new Black Series models are no longer a guaranteed part of AMG model cycles – no matter how eagerly cashed-up buyers want them.

Speaking at the Detroit motor show, Moers opened up about future models wearing the infamous Black Series badging.

“It’s not finally decided. Black Series is not decided. We are so fully loaded with work, the expansion of the portfolio things like that. It needs dedication to do such a car.”

Younger AMG models and the brand’s own car, the GT, have already pushed capacity at Affalterbach.

“To do [AMG] GT R was really a lot of dedication. As you can imagine, life cycle wise, next generation [AMG GT] is something we will be working on, so there must be room for us to do so.

“Maybe that’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. Expanding the portfolio doing a lot of work, maybe you don’t necessarily have enough room to do Black Series. This is the internal discussion that we now have to do.”

Black Series variants have in the past tended to arrive at the end of a model’s lifecycle, meaning planning should be underway now for a Mercedes-Benz C63 or AMG GT Black Series.

Moers admitted from a personal standpoint that an AMG GT Black would be the more attractive vehicle, and that if it were to happen a GT Black would need to be the flagship of the AMG range, with more power than the current top dog, the 450kW E63.

“We’re still working on ideas, collecting them all together for a Black Series in the future. We still have Black Series within the brand, we’re getting closer to a decision.”

Previously Moers said C63 S was as powerful as a rear-wheel-drive C-Class could be, raising questions about a possible 4MATIC all-wheel-drive C63 if it were chosen as the next Black Series platform.

“There’s no intention. Never say never but for now, C63 to stay RWD,” responded Moers.

“With C63 Coupe and the GT R we moved the bar so far. [Black Series] needs extra driving dynamics, on top of the standard car. This is what we are having a close look at now in the C-Class, in the GT as a family. There’s nothing decided so far.

However, Moers hinted that a development of the AMG GT R’s four-wheel steering could offer an alternative to all-paw drivelines for its currently rear-driven performance products.

“Rear axle steering is extremely supportive regarding tyre wear, for example on a race track. It shortens the radius and you can feel it in the GT when you are driving through a roundabout. Regarding driving dynamics it’s the next step, absolutely.”