Black Series: At Mercedes-AMG, this abbreviation has stood for the most brutal road-legal models for many years. With the GT Black Series, the Affalterbach-based company presented the sixth and most powerful Black Series derivative in 2020. But the journey began in 2006 with an SLK!
Mercedes SLK 55 AMG Black Series on eBay
The idea came from another special model
One model is all too often neglected in the lineage: the SLK 55 AMG Black Series. The model that laid the foundation for all other Black Series models. The idea came from another special model. In 2006, Mercedes presented a modified SLK of the 171 series as part of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Malaysia. The SLK 55 AMG Tracksport was intended to commemorate the Formula 1 safety car of the 2004 and 2005 seasons and was only 35th in a one-make cup times built.
The tight bucket seats come straight from racing and are covered with flame-retardant Perlon velor.
However, with modifications such as slicks and the elimination of the passenger seat, the track sport was no longer TÜV-compliant. So the Affalterbach-based company decided without further ado to adapt the track sport to the STVO. The abbreviation Black Series was born! In 2006, the 400 hp SLK 55 AMG Black Series came onto the market.
How many SLK 55 AMG Black Series were built?
To this day, not even Mercedes-Benz Classic can make an official statement about the number of SLK 55 AMG Black Series built. It is estimated that only around 100 to 150 were built, making the SLK 55 by far the rarest Black Series model of all. One copy is currently for sale on eBay.
Only 28,700 kilometers since 2007
A silver Mercedes SLK 55 AMG Black Series is offered in Buchholz. Unfortunately, the information about the vehicle is relatively poor, but the most important parameters are mentioned. The Black Series is a German, accident-free car that comes from a collection. The AMG was first registered in August 2007 and has only been driven 28,700 kilometers in the last 15 years. According to the description of the ad, it has a full checkbook and is in top condition.
The AMG will cost 174,900 euros
He should, after all, the seller calls 174,900 euros for the Black Series. This means that it is not only more expensive than the CLK 63 AMG Black Series and C 63 Black Series, but is also significantly higher than the former new price of 107,300 euros. But there was an SLK in 2006 that was robbed of its elaborate folding roof and thus mutated from a roadster to a coupé. The carbon hardtop of the Black Series cannot be opened, but it saves around 45 kilos.
400 instead of 360 hp: The engineers teased out 40 hp from the 5.5-liter V8 naturally aspirated engine.
Other ingredients for the Black Series are a modified front apron without fog lights, carbon fenders and polished 19-inch forged wheels. The interior has racing flair instead of luxury. The driver and front passenger sit on bucket seats covered with flame-retardant perlon velor, the door panels are made of carbon and the button for the hood is a dummy.
5.5 liter V8 with 400 hp
Under the hood of the compact SLK sits a large V8. The performance of the 5.5-liter naturally aspirated engine (M 113) was boosted from the standard 360 hp to a smooth 400 hp thanks to new exhaust manifolds, a sports air filter and other adjustments. The Black Series is said to sprint to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 280 km/h.
Although the SLK 55 AMG is the weakest with 400 hp, it is also the rarest Black Series model of all. It’s almost impossible to find on the open market. This also explains the high price of the model offered here and makes a price comparison almost impossible. Is the SLK 55 AMG Black Series worth so much money when a normal SLK 55 AMG of the R 171 series is available from 25,000 euros? Every interested party has to decide that for themselves. In fact, the SLK was the first Black Series model and that will most likely have a positive impact on price development in the long run.
