AMG GT R

Segment
Coupe

There have been many sightings of the much-anticipated Mercedes-AMG GT R Black Series out testing before its debut, but this development prototype spied at the Nurburgring looks even more striking. That's because it's been fitted with copious amounts of testing equipment.

Mercedes has loaded the Black Series with sensors monitoring each wheel and extra parts have also been added to the wheels specifically for testing. Sadly, there's still a lot of camouflage covering the new Black Series, but it clearly looks more aggressive than the already-hardcore GT R.

As we've seen on previous prototypes, the Mercedes-AMG GT R Black Series sports a sculpted hood with some very aggressive-looking hood vents to help the potent engine breath easier. A giant rear wing will also generate a considerable amount of downforce to keep this beast glued to the track. This will be the first AMG model to get the Black Series treatment since the SLS AMG GT Black Series in 2014.

The new Black Series will be the most powerful AMG GT yet and will serve as a send-off for the current-generation model. Whereas the AMG GT R packs a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 577 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, the Black Series is expected to increase the output to over 700 hp.

That's 70 more horsepower than the GT 63 S Four-Door Coupe, which currently has the most powerful version of AMG's V8 engine. This is going to be the Porsche 911 GT2 RS's worst nightmare.

Intriguingly, AMG boss Tobias Moers has confirmed the twin-turbo 4.0-liter engine won't be the same unit found in other AMG models, describing it as a "different engine" and "not a typical V8." It also won't get EQ boosting, which means the new Black Series won't be getting any electrical assistance to boost the power. We can't wait for the production model to debut in 2020.