I would not be surprise if the SLS wins best drivers car. All of the black series models ever created have been rigorously tested through almost every environment and every situation to create one of the best driving cars in existence. Last year, the C63 Black Series was a runner-up, and that is the cheapest black series to date. The SLS Black series slaps more technology on board to create a hell of a machine.
This car went faster than a Viper in this test, Mercedes did a great job on improving the base SLS am surprised every1 complained about its slow transmission, the new 1 has done justice to this car
I don't believe they exclude the performance aspects of the competition. You are correct that they depend heavily on Randy Pobst's feedback and even drive the cars themselves on the track during this test. Like I said - they are over the moon with this car - BEYOND its performance. They gush about it in the head to head versus the Viper and in the extended road test. They love how it rides and think it has serious fun factor. That is why I believe it will win. 1st and 2nd doesn't hurt either.
True. The long term drive with the older MT editor had him heaping praises on it - but I agree - it is modeled after the GT3 version - its more a race car than a road car. Maybe the Audi or Porsche (again) can move in front - but I am sticking with my pick...
+KonaKoo I like the doors better on the AMG GT. The gullwing doors on the SLS were awesome, but stupid and pointless. I mean, impractical (butterfly, scissor, gullwing) doors make sense on a Lamborghini, but a practical comfy Mercedes? No, just no.
What's incredible is that the AMG GT S lapped Laguna Seca in 1:35.57s while the SLS AMG Black Series (WITH +119HP) did it in 1:35:03s. Imagine the AMG GT Black Series.
@@SamotLS7 Well one needs to understand how much less advanced the E Diff tech on the SLS is compared with the new gen Hi tech sapling E Diffs, I am pretty sure if Merc wasnt rectricted by emission norms and all they wud ve still made this epic 6.2 dohc engine and wud ve made it lap as quick as the 4.0 biturbo AMG GTR Above all the 6.2 dohc of Merc is easily one of best V8s ever made, revs to 8000 rpm, 600+ bhp, the feeling it gives is way more spine tingling than the new 4.0 bi turbo engine
Ridiculous!! With most the weight up front AND rear wheel drive, they must have done some serious engineering wizardry to get it to drive like this. Definitely my new favorite car I'll never be able to afford :D
Certainly the SLS has all the momentum going in. Like they said on the roundtable video, it's the Rockstar of the group, a real exotic in every way. It's easily the coolest car of the bunch this year, though the Vanquish handily beats it in the looks department(imo). Hell, the exhaust note alone makes it a winner in my book. Even though I don't agree with their choices all the time, I still love BDC. As a car enthusiast, this is like X-mas for me. Even better since I don't have to shop!
It's going to be the winner for a couple of reasons.1. it is badass 2. it Looks awsome 3.it is the fastest car- faster than the aventador the gtr and Even faster then the Ford 4. the Motor Trend Team alias had a Stile on thier faces - because the Love it 5. it's from my home Country and we build the best cars ;)
I'm very surprised the SLS ended up being faster than the GTR track and Porsche 911... This car is simply amazing I wouldn't doubt if it wins best drivers car 2013.
Well this is awkward part where I have to tell you I have..., not a black series but a regular coupe. I never said the SLS was a bad car, I have loved to SLS since they first came out with it, it's one of my all time favorites.
Remember the R8 GT from the 2011 competition? The V10 Plus is supposed to be every bit as fast, while maintaining the comfort and livability of the "normal" R8. The R8 GT was pretty quick that year, and with the new dual-clutch transmission, the V10 Plus might be a tenth or two faster. I'm picking the R8 simply because it seems, to me, like the car with the least to gripe about. The only strike I can see against it is fun factor, as mentioned in the Head 2 Head against the GT-R.
The full quote; "The Corsa-tired, pre-production GTS, as you may recall, lapped the famed circuit in 1:35.8. The production-spec GTS on P Zeros just edged it at 1:35.78, but the SRT and its non-adjustable suspension (the GTS gets two-mode electronically controlled dampers) pulled off a 1:35.37. Then it got even more interesting. As it happens, we had a set of the Viper’s optional P Zero Corsa tires with us, and we ran them on both cars. The result:1:34.63 for the SRT and 1:34.23 for the GTS"
And the Viper uses Pirelli P Zero Corsas which are fairly equal in performance because of how sticky they are. This are the tires that come stock on many Ferraris and Lambos.
Honestly, I don't know what to pick. My gut tells me it'll be the R8. It's really the only car there that is as close to uncompromised as can be. It's fantastic on the road, yet still has the power and handling(especially if it's got the optional P-Zero Corsa semi-slicks)to be a contender at the track as well. It has a balance between subjective and objective qualities that I don't think any of the other cars can match. I think the fight for 2nd place will be a bit more interesting.
I do remember the R8 GT - it was not praised for its strange setup from the manufacturer. On the pre-best car video - they are all over the SLS - they even had to remind themselves to calm down. The momentum (pardon the pun) - seems to be on the SLS's side. That said - the R8 V10+ won the head to head with the GTR despite getting beaten - so it will rank higher than the GTR for sure. Randy loved the 4S (most like a race car he said) - and the Cayman. We'll see his comments (and times) tomorrow.
The R8 would have to do reasonably well in the track and drag components to be 1st. It should be faster than the 4S and Cayman in regards to track time - and definitely faster in the 1/4 - so that bolsters your theory. I don't see them picking another Porsche after last year (and they seem to love the 4S more)...so again you may be right. That said - I think the SLS will take it - still suspension not withstanding. They loved the car. We will find out soon. 2nd R8, 3 4S - 4th GTR - 5th Cayman.
Hopefully when the NISMO GTR is released they will manage to reduce its weight. That said - this years GTR Track Pack was lauded by Randy as the best GTR he ever drove and it got the Willow Springs lap record (with Randy driving). I unfortunately agree that mid 1:35's is likely where it will place - the GTR needs a Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tire to get into the 1:34's I think... Hoping to be pleasantly surprised that I am wrong however.
I adore both the Corvette and AMG SLS Black, but don't bother with the tire argument. The SLS Black has Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2's. And they are certainly not normal road tires.
Interesting... in a previous head to head of the Viper and the ZR1 Corvette the Corvette set the Laguna Seca RECORD lap speed in a production car by this same driver. It beat the Viper by almost 2 seconds there I think...
(Sigh). I have answered this a couple of times. The SLS will likely win the track times, 2nd in the drag - and is universally loved by the MT staff and Randy for drivability - both on the road and track. That is the piece both the Aventador and MP4-12C were lacking.
Even for myself - I would be getting a Lambo/Ferrari or at the very least an Audi R8 V10 but not a Corvette because I want a brand people can say 'yeah, this guy is successful'.
@@leonardlitanius7517 Its not just the turbo, the new AMG has a much much better E diff compared with this ones E Diff. The big point I am still impressed with is this thing without a Flat plane crank made 100+ HP/L and the lap time this thing set at Laguna Seca is something the 6.2l Corvettes GS was able to match after 3 years. The Vette GS is the most accurate direct competitor to the SLS AMG
The Viper was 2 seconds slower than the ZR1. SRT was pissed at this and made another car specifically designed to beat the ZR1. It's called the TA. It beat it by milliseconds but it isn't in production yet. So the ZR1 is still the record holder.
I already admitted that, if you look back. But the ZR1 is still cheaper, it is an exclusive model, and it wasn't specifically designed to beat the Viper like the Viper was specifically designed to beat the Corvette. I was talking about how small .08 seconds is an how that means next to nothing. Blink your eyes right now. That's 3 times faster than the split between these two cars. There is practically no difference.
Sure, the car costs $300,000, but I think you get a lot for your money. This car is so much more exclusive than the Bentley, as pained as I am to say it. This is a very special car. Glad Randy had positive things to say.
Because the lights have a refresh rate which doesn't match the cameras'. They are actually always flickering but you just don't notice, just like florescent lights and computer screens!
this car has everything: style(this car will never get old european retro style) prestige(tree pointed star) v8 rumble(to 8000rpm) and fucking price!!!
Are any of those cars in this competition? Or can we get the LaFerrari, Ferrari F12, McLaren c12 and P1, Porsche Turbo S, Ariel Atom, Bugatti, Zonda, Koenigsegg, Caterham or the new Corvette Stingray also in there?
I have never been a fan of the SLS. Too much power I'm I'm a car that can't handle it. This one is different. It handles that power. I am now a believer.
that car is so elegant it's making me cry
And the winner is... Nothing can face this beast!!!. And the sound at the end, oh HOLY GOD. Blessed be Mercedes Benz
I would not be surprise if the SLS wins best drivers car. All of the black series models ever created have been rigorously tested through almost every environment and every situation to create one of the best driving cars in existence. Last year, the C63 Black Series was a runner-up, and that is the cheapest black series to date. The SLS Black series slaps more technology on board to create a hell of a machine.
The power level that they've reached with M156 V8 is incredible. I believe its the highest HP N/A production V8 ever made!
This car went faster than a Viper in this test, Mercedes did a great job on improving the base SLS am surprised every1 complained about its slow transmission, the new 1 has done justice to this car
This car has grown on me. Hated it when it came out. Now it's on my top 5 favs list.
AMG really pulled it together on this car. I love vipers but man this thing would definitely be in my collection... If i had one.....
I don't believe they exclude the performance aspects of the competition. You are correct that they depend heavily on Randy Pobst's feedback and even drive the cars themselves on the track during this test.
Like I said - they are over the moon with this car - BEYOND its performance. They gush about it in the head to head versus the Viper and in the extended road test. They love how it rides and think it has serious fun factor.
That is why I believe it will win. 1st and 2nd doesn't hurt either.
True. The long term drive with the older MT editor had him heaping praises on it - but I agree - it is modeled after the GT3 version - its more a race car than a road car. Maybe the Audi or Porsche (again) can move in front - but I am sticking with my pick...
the Viper T/A has already hit production and all units have been sold
I like the rear of this WAYYYY better than the AMG GT. It fits better with Mercedes new design language as well.
+KonaKoo I bet you came here after watching the AMG GT S hot lap lol.
+rvind92g I know i did!! Mostly for the noise!
+KonaKoo I like the doors better on the AMG GT. The gullwing doors on the SLS were awesome, but stupid and pointless. I mean, impractical (butterfly, scissor, gullwing) doors make sense on a Lamborghini, but a practical comfy Mercedes? No, just no.
@Matt Romanes it’s a tribute car to the 300SL
BUTT XD the new gt has a better trunk
Damn this car is amazing. Beautiful, exotic, sounds great, and it almost ran as fast as the Corvette Z06! Now that is FAST!!
Turn up your volume at 2:53. This thing is a MONSTER.
Randy is so freaking awesome. Love his commentary! Love it!
Love this car!!!!🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍❤❤❤
What's incredible is that the AMG GT S lapped Laguna Seca in 1:35.57s while the SLS AMG Black Series (WITH +119HP) did it in 1:35:03s. Imagine the AMG GT Black Series.
This year it lapped laguna seca in 1:35:30. with 120 less hp.
@@alianjumdar and a year ago it lapped it in 1:33:01 in gtr form, Mercedes ain't playing lol
@@SamotLS7 Well one needs to understand how much less advanced the E Diff tech on the SLS is compared with the new gen Hi tech sapling E Diffs,
I am pretty sure if Merc wasnt rectricted by emission norms and all they wud ve still made this epic 6.2 dohc engine and wud ve made it lap as quick as the 4.0 biturbo AMG GTR
Above all the 6.2 dohc of Merc is easily one of best V8s ever made, revs to 8000 rpm, 600+ bhp, the feeling it gives is way more spine tingling than the new 4.0 bi turbo engine
Did the front end hit the pavement when it was going down the corkscrew?
At 2:27 did the bottom of the car hit the track?
That's a common thing for lowered cars on Laguna seca
6 years later and still my fav car
One of the best-sounding engines ever.
Pobst is the best. Really enjoy his input.
I would like them to have the hot lap video and Randy Pobst critique at the end.
Love Randy , We need to get him to drive all the cars we can b4 he starts losing his reaction speed , I like the feedback he gives in the videos.
this one will be in the top 3 I think, and it's my personal favorite
great youtube series, Thank you
On the racetrack, 4 seconds is an eternity. Trust me the SLS black is more than worth its asking price.
Ridiculous!! With most the weight up front AND rear wheel drive, they must have done some serious engineering wizardry to get it to drive like this. Definitely my new favorite car I'll never be able to afford :D
Best sounding car so far. All the AMG's sound beastly!!! Very attractive masculine car.
Man, those downshifts give me goose bumps.
Hearing that thing scream down the front straight just made my day.
It Still Holds The Record, Doesn't Matter If It The Race Verison.
O_O!!! This is one fast Merc! Very impressed!
Certainly the SLS has all the momentum going in. Like they said on the roundtable video, it's the Rockstar of the group, a real exotic in every way. It's easily the coolest car of the bunch this year, though the Vanquish handily beats it in the looks department(imo). Hell, the exhaust note alone makes it a winner in my book.
Even though I don't agree with their choices all the time, I still love BDC. As a car enthusiast, this is like X-mas for me. Even better since I don't have to shop!
Perfection doesn't come cheap.
Someone needs to commemorate this moment as a first in internet history.
Racing improves the breed, thank you LeMans series
They are the Pilot Sport Cup 2's I believe... which happen to be extremely capable track tires.
#1. SRT Viper TA 1:33.62 #2. Corvette ZR1 1:33.70 #3. Dodge Viper ACR 1:33.92 #4. SRT Viper GTS 1:34.23 #5. Corvette Z06 1:34.43
There is more to an engine than just power. And that old ass 5 speed is one hell of a transmission for its age
MUCH more composed than the original SLS. Though with all that I would have thought it would have a bigger lead over the base model Viper.
Congratulations Germany. You have FINALLY done it!
Sounds amazing down the first straight!
Like with the 911, it doesn't have to. It just has to be rewarding and satisfying to drive. That's why both models sell great.
It's going to be the winner for a couple of reasons.1. it is badass 2. it Looks awsome 3.it is the fastest car- faster than the aventador the gtr and Even faster then the Ford 4. the Motor Trend Team alias had a Stile on thier faces - because the Love it 5. it's from my home Country and we build the best cars ;)
I have a feeling that this car will win the best driver's car title
I'm very surprised the SLS ended up being faster than the GTR track and Porsche 911... This car is simply amazing I wouldn't doubt if it wins best drivers car 2013.
Well this is awkward part where I have to tell you I have..., not a black series but a regular coupe. I never said the SLS was a bad car, I have loved to SLS since they first came out with it, it's one of my all time favorites.
This car deserves to win.
sorry I was overestimating the zr1 lap....didn't remember it being in the 33s. my bad. either way this is super fast. impressed
This car is for me just love it
Remember the R8 GT from the 2011 competition? The V10 Plus is supposed to be every bit as fast, while maintaining the comfort and livability of the "normal" R8. The R8 GT was pretty quick that year, and with the new dual-clutch transmission, the V10 Plus might be a tenth or two faster. I'm picking the R8 simply because it seems, to me, like the car with the least to gripe about. The only strike I can see against it is fun factor, as mentioned in the Head 2 Head against the GT-R.
The full quote;
"The Corsa-tired, pre-production GTS, as you may recall, lapped the famed circuit in 1:35.8. The production-spec GTS on P Zeros just edged it at 1:35.78, but the SRT and its non-adjustable suspension (the GTS gets two-mode electronically controlled dampers) pulled off a 1:35.37. Then it got even more interesting. As it happens, we had a set of the Viper’s optional P Zero Corsa tires with us, and we ran them on both cars. The result:1:34.63 for the SRT and 1:34.23 for the GTS"
I think the SLS AMG Black Series will win this competition.
THIS CAR MADE ME CRY
Thank you for the video
And the Viper uses Pirelli P Zero Corsas which are fairly equal in performance because of how sticky they are. This are the tires that come stock on many Ferraris and Lambos.
I think this car is going to be the winner
Honestly, I don't know what to pick. My gut tells me it'll be the R8. It's really the only car there that is as close to uncompromised as can be. It's fantastic on the road, yet still has the power and handling(especially if it's got the optional P-Zero Corsa semi-slicks)to be a contender at the track as well. It has a balance between subjective and objective qualities that I don't think any of the other cars can match. I think the fight for 2nd place will be a bit more interesting.
I'm curious to know how extensive the damage is to that front splitter, cause it seems like it touches ground every time it hits the corkscrew.
That car sounds so good!
for a car that wasnt tuned for that track,nor it had that extensive amount of time in it i find it a freaking fast time
Speaking of perfection, the black series sls is one of the best cars I've seen other than pagani huayra.
We have a winner!
No I think the R-Compounds fitting the MP4-12C are the best you can have as streets legals.
I do remember the R8 GT - it was not praised for its strange setup from the manufacturer. On the pre-best car video - they are all over the SLS - they even had to remind themselves to calm down. The momentum (pardon the pun) - seems to be on the SLS's side. That said - the R8 V10+ won the head to head with the GTR despite getting beaten - so it will rank higher than the GTR for sure. Randy loved the 4S (most like a race car he said) - and the Cayman. We'll see his comments (and times) tomorrow.
The R8 would have to do reasonably well in the track and drag components to be 1st. It should be faster than the 4S and Cayman in regards to track time - and definitely faster in the 1/4 - so that bolsters your theory. I don't see them picking another Porsche after last year (and they seem to love the 4S more)...so again you may be right.
That said - I think the SLS will take it - still suspension not withstanding. They loved the car.
We will find out soon. 2nd R8, 3 4S - 4th GTR - 5th Cayman.
One of the nicest car design .. I wish other companies takes this ride as an example instead of making their cars look ugly and futuristic ..
Exactly what I was saying ...But I was meaning the Porsche GT1 around 1998 ish that ran with the mclaren F1 GTR and the MB CLK GTR, toyota Gt 1 ...
This SLS just beat the 458 Italia, which was a Best Driver's car 2 years ago. This black series is serious.
Sounds really good!
IMAO this is a straight battle between the Black, the F-Type and the 2 Porsches
Although I'm not a fan of this Benz, I have a feeling its going to take the title of BDC.
Hopefully when the NISMO GTR is released they will manage to reduce its weight. That said - this years GTR Track Pack was lauded by Randy as the best GTR he ever drove and it got the Willow Springs lap record (with Randy driving).
I unfortunately agree that mid 1:35's is likely where it will place - the GTR needs a Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tire to get into the 1:34's I think...
Hoping to be pleasantly surprised that I am wrong however.
scary but great review..get a good sense of what is going on
I adore both the Corvette and AMG SLS Black, but don't bother with the tire argument. The SLS Black has Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2's. And they are certainly not normal road tires.
Interesting... in a previous head to head of the Viper and the ZR1 Corvette the Corvette set the Laguna Seca RECORD lap speed in a production car by this same driver. It beat the Viper by almost 2 seconds there I think...
(Sigh). I have answered this a couple of times. The SLS will likely win the track times, 2nd in the drag - and is universally loved by the MT staff and Randy for drivability - both on the road and track.
That is the piece both the Aventador and MP4-12C were lacking.
That induction noise.
Even for myself - I would be getting a Lambo/Ferrari or at the very least an Audi R8 V10 but not a Corvette because I want a brand people can say 'yeah, this guy is successful'.
CRAZY HOW JUST AN ENTRY LEVEL AMG GTS WITH 110HP LESS IS JUST AS FAST AROUND LAGUNA SECA AS THE BLACK SERIES FROM A COUPLE YEARS AGO.
Turbo bro
@@leonardlitanius7517 Its not just the turbo, the new AMG has a much much better E diff compared with this ones E Diff. The big point I am still impressed with is this thing without a Flat plane crank made 100+ HP/L and the lap time this thing set at Laguna Seca is something the 6.2l Corvettes GS was able to match after 3 years. The Vette GS is the most accurate direct competitor to the SLS AMG
I don't care much for Mercedes, but this is one hell of a car.
The Viper was 2 seconds slower than the ZR1. SRT was pissed at this and made another car specifically designed to beat the ZR1. It's called the TA. It beat it by milliseconds but it isn't in production yet. So the ZR1 is still the record holder.
I already admitted that, if you look back. But the ZR1 is still cheaper, it is an exclusive model, and it wasn't specifically designed to beat the Viper like the Viper was specifically designed to beat the Corvette. I was talking about how small .08 seconds is an how that means next to nothing. Blink your eyes right now. That's 3 times faster than the split between these two cars. There is practically no difference.
What a car! Killer.
True that. Been saying the same thing about the GTR.
2:27 and there you have it, 20 grand gone in a second :)
Yeah and the ZR1 used 80AA Semi slick track tires, remember that!
This is my vote definitely
Sure, the car costs $300,000, but I think you get a lot for your money. This car is so much more exclusive than the Bentley, as pained as I am to say it. This is a very special car. Glad Randy had positive things to say.
Damn! That thing is fast!
Because the lights have a refresh rate which doesn't match the cameras'. They are actually always flickering but you just don't notice, just like florescent lights and computer screens!
Holy shit Yes!! just what I expected! :D this is gonna be a great battle
this car has everything:
style(this car will never get old european retro style)
prestige(tree pointed star)
v8 rumble(to 8000rpm)
and fucking price!!!
Yeah I saw that ....Very impressive.
What a beast, love Merc!
Where the racetrack is located makes so difference. It's not like since it's an American track, American cars have some sort of advantage.
Any of those manufacturers could have used the same tires ....the acr time has been around a long time as well as the zr1 and z06 times.
Are any of those cars in this competition? Or can we get the LaFerrari, Ferrari F12, McLaren c12 and P1, Porsche Turbo S, Ariel Atom, Bugatti, Zonda, Koenigsegg, Caterham or the new Corvette Stingray also in there?
I have never been a fan of the SLS. Too much power I'm I'm a car that can't handle it. This one is different. It handles that power. I am now a believer.
That is one of the sexiest cars money can buy