200 8 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG 'Black Series'

AMG and Black Series - that just about says it all. Hugely quick, well balanced and enormously capable

A best-of-breed unrepeatable example - single ownership from new and just 4,000 miles

1 of just 25 UK/RHD cars produced

Original and complete paperwork with an impeccable service history

A five-star rating by Jeremy Clarkson - who owned the same model

Following on from the SLK55 AMG Black Series, Mercedes-Benz launched the CLK63 AMG Black Series - a limited edition coupé (only) model with just 700 examples produced worldwide between April 2007 and March 2008 - and a car that AMG says was largely inspired by the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

“It is pretty hardcore. Weve got down to 7min 52sec on the Nürburgring… and that was in traffic. I dont think weve ever done a more complete performance car.”, says Tobias Moers, the man who oversees the engineering, development and testing of Mercedes-Benzs AMG range.

The CLK Black Series is based around the regular CLK63, but this is no ordinary AMG Mercedes and whilst the two share the same driveline, the Black Series is a very different animal altogether. With a huge front spoiler designed to force cooling air into an enlarged radiator whilst also dialling out lift to make it more neutral at speed, the CLK Black Series instantly appears more menacing than the standard coupé. Bulging wheel-arches incorporated into the body panels, air vents in the front wings, a deep rear valance, a carbon fibre rear spoiler, and a set of 19-inch alloys weighing just 11kg each - 3kg lighter than those of the standard CLK63- continue the initial impression.

Inside, the differences are also obvious, with carbon fibre-reinforced trim on the door inserts and centre console, a forged aluminium gear selector, a flat-bottomed wheel and expensive bucket seats. AMG also replaces the rear bench with two trimmed wells.

The car utilises AMG's mighty (and largely hand-built) M156 V8, the brand's first entirely self-built power unit launched in 2005 and still, safe to say, one of the greatest production car V8s ever built. Power is up from the standard car's 478bhp to 507bhp at 6800rpm, endowing it with a power-to-weight ratio of just over 300bhp per tonne. Torque remains the same with 464lb ft at 5250rpm. The upgrades made to the V8 engine include the adoption of a larger magnesium dual-intake manifold with two internal butterfly valves, a reworked, less restrictive, exhaust system and remapped electronics. The resultant sound is also hugely evocative, described as a subdued rumble gradually building into a deep roar before erupting into an all-guns-blazing blare.

Power is channelled through Mercedes SpeedShift 7G-Tronic gearbox (with sport and manual modes) but fettled by AMG for more efficient changes. It's considered a very versatile transmission, being able to swap up smoothly under light loads but also extremely precise when calling up gears more quickly through the wheel-mounted paddles. Power is ably directed through a suitably beefed-up drivetrain, being distributed through a limited-slip differential, which gets its own oil cooler and pump to keep temperatures in check.

Mercedes claims the 0-62mph time has dropped by 0.3sec to just 4.3sec although Mercedes is notoriously conservative when it comes to quoting acceleration. Top speed is limited to 186mph. “It is capable of more,” says Moers.

As those wheel-arches suggest, there have been major revisions underneath, with the front track widened by 75mm and the rear track by 66mm, bestowing the car with real race-car agility - again, reinforced by the fitting of adjustable springs and shock absorbers that allow you to set your own compression and rebound rates. However, despite the focus on ballistic performance and uncompromised handling, the car is a totally compliant and usable road-car fitted with A/C and cruise-control with enough suspension travel to ensure acceptable levels of comfort.

The steering too is very well engineered, providing excellent feedback, whilst prodigious grip (helped no doubt by the huge 285/30 R19 Pirelli P Zero Corsas tyres) allows the car to carry big speeds into corners and then dispatch its power with real conviction. Meanwhile, the array of driver aids, including a specially calibrated ESP, are nowhere near as intrusive as in the standard CLK63 AMG, so lurid power slides are part of its repertoire should you see fit!

The car presented here is a 2008, CLK63 AMG Black Series, a UK/RHD model and one of the last examples produced. It was purchased new by our vendor through Mercedes-Benz of Beaconsfield and was first registered on the 6th June 2008. It looks particularly striking in Iridium (Silver) Metallic - which was the launch colour and a hue historically associated with special Mercedes-Benz cars.

This particular car is simply outstanding in every respect. Its overall condition is wholly commensurate with just 4,000 miles covered by its one and only owner. Coming from a private collection of special cars, it has been used sparingly but always meticulously stored and serviced. This is an opportunity not to be missed, as trying to find such a rare and revered car in RHD, with such low mileage and diligent single ownership, is close to impossible.

Arguably, the CLK63 AMG Black Series offers better value for money than other comparable limited-edition Mercedes supercars of this era, as we know that cars like these, produced in short runs with bespoke large capacity naturally aspirated engines, are less likely to be offered by manufacturers in the future and are destined to become even more collectable.

The last word should really come from Jeremy Clarkson:

''For sheer excitement, the CLK Black is a match for absolutely anything. Since my test car went back to Mercedes, I have been thinking about it a lot. Because Im not sure that anyones life is quite complete unless they have one.”

(N.B. the registration 'AC08 AMG' is not included with the sale of the car but is available by separate negotiation)