Description
The limited number CLK 63 AMG Black Series is a hugely significant model in Mercedes-AMG history, it being an exceptional and highly collectable, bombastic driver’s car that represents AMG at its purest. This Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series is finished in Calcite White (650U) with a black fabric interior and comes with a complete service history and has covered 31, 000 miles since it was delivered in 2008.
Background
There are AMGs, then there are AMG Black Series, these range-topping, limited-build models representing the very best that AMG has to offer. AMG, once the skunkworks independent that was unofficially tolerated to cater for Mercedes-Benz’s most performance-orientated customers, finally became part of the Mercedes-Benz group when it took a 51% share in 1999, with Mercedes-Benz taking complete ownership in 2005.
As AMG production models proliferated under official Mercedes-Benz control the previous, slightly unhinged element within AMG remained, with the engineers very occasionally given the opportunity to create even more extreme and characterful iterations of already wild existing Mercedes-AMG production models, these rarities being badged as Black Series.
There have only been six Black Series models to date, and the CLK 63 AMG Black Series was the second of them. It would also be the most visible, thanks to being tasked as the Official Formula One Safety Car for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Like all Black Series models, it takes the already extreme performance of the production AMG model and elevates it to another level again.
The naturally-aspirated 6. 2-litre 90-degree 32-valve V8, known by its M156 code, was the first bespoke designed and AMG engine - with all previous AMGs powered by Mercedes-Benz derived engines. AMG engineer Bernd Ramler is credited with the famous engine’s design, his CV notable for also being responsible for the legendary 5. 7-litre V10 engine that he created for the Porsche Carrera GT during a brief break from AMG.
Also used in the regular CLK 63 AMG, in the Black Series that legendary M156 AMG 6. 2-litre V8 had its power increased from 481PS to a nicer sounding 507PS at 6, 800rpm (the 630Nm peak torque figure remaining, but developed 250rpm later at 5, 250rpm), that power gain achieved by freer-breathing intakes, a bespoke exhaust and a Black Series specific engine ECU. Revving to a 7, 200rpm redline the Black Series’ fettled engine would allow the coupe to reach 62mph in 4. 2 seconds – around 0. 4 seconds quicker than the regular CLK 63 AMG – on its way to its, still electronically limited, 186mph top speed.
As much as the performance impresses, the soundtrack that accompanies it is something to behold, it bellowing with the combined tones of a tuned big capacity US V8 overlayered with an Italian-like operatic metallic fizz and rasp that’s absolutely magnificent. Orchestrating that is a paddle-shifted 7-speed AMG-Speedshift automatic transmission, which gained an additional cooler, along with another for the limited-slip differential.
Visually, the Black Series gains a pumped-up assertiveness via a deeper front lip, an extended boot spoiler, reprofiled front and rear bumpers with carbon fibre elements, with the rear containing a sizeable diffuser containing four oval exhaust tips. The most obvious gain over the standard CLK 63 AMG is its width, with the Black’s wheelarches swelling significantly to cover a substantially increased, by 77mm front and 66mm rear, tracks, as well as the 19-inch forged and polished 16-spoke alloy wheels. Behind those smart wheels sit high performance six-piston front and four-piston rear AMG brake calipers, the arches aft of the front wheels being punctured to help vent and management of airflow down the car’s shapely flanks.
The suspension that those forged alloy wheels hangs off is completely bespoke, and adjustable, with the ride height, geometry, damper compression and rebound and even the spring platform heights all offering the possibility to be tweaked to suit your preference. Out of the box the CLK 63 AMG Black Series drives with a remarkable compliance, this might be a car that’s designed with a track in mind, but its damping finesse means it comes with few compromises even on what passes as tarmac on UK roads.
Inside there’s a similar focus to match that of the rest of the Black’s technical specification. The rear seats have been removed with a carpeted void replacing them, the front seats being fixed back, manually-adjusted lightweight bucket seats finished in leather and Alcantara. There are AMG-scripted carbon fibre door card elements, carbon trim also featuring around the centre console and instruments, in front of which is a flat-bottomed steering wheel. That centre console houses the stubby gear selector and that oh-so-important engine start button, but it’s the ESP button, which with a simple short prod switches completely off – no staged intervention here – that fully drives home the Black Series’ puristic intent.
Globally, just 700 of these very special cars were produced and their significance is huge and ever growing. Hailing from an era where performance came without controls, the CLK 63 AMG Black Series bereft of distracting, detracting driver aids or unnecessary complication. The Black Series formula is simple here, that being a big, powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine, mated to a focussed, uncompromised and hugely capable, and adjustable rear-wheel drive chassis. Recognised as a great when it was launched, this if-you-know-you-know AMG model taps into the company’s enduring philosophy, of delivering big performance, huge fun, but in a ‘relatively’ restrained package.
This car
Delivered to its first UK ex-pat customer to the United Arab Emirates in 2008, it was imported back to the UK when its first owner returned. Finished in Calcite white, which contrasts beautifully with the Black Series’ unique carbon exterior trim elements, it’s covered just 31, 000 miles since it was delivered and comes with a file full of receipts to confirm it’s been serviced on time every time and without concern to cost. Its most recent owner, Sam Bailey, is the proprietor of globally-renowned Mercedes-Benz independent specialists, SLSHOP, which means this car has never been anything less than fastidiously looked after.
A rare car, and a rare opportunity to own one that’s in such perfect condition, the CLK 63 AMG Black Series is one of those unrepeatable cars that defines its era, and the likes of which we’ll never see new again. As such the CLK 63 AMG Black Series are increasingly being sought after by those who know, understand and appreciate them as the special, engaging and hugely entertaining cars they are.
