4. Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series - not an actual super car but it bridged the SLR and SLS with it's 6.0-liter Bi-Turbo V12

Already spied on the Nurburgring

The all-new Mercedes-Benz AMG GT has been envisioned as a Black Series high-performance version.

This work comes from Polish designer, nicknamed the rc82 workchop, and is based on an official photo of the recently debuted sports car. The author says this is only a quick rendering that shows us what the vehicle could look like.

The virtual range-topping variant features a modified front bumper, new black allow wheels and a massive spoiler at the back and is finished in distinctive yellow paint.

There is still not much to report about the AMG GT Black Series, but according to a recent report, such a model could be powered by the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 of the standard AMG GT, tuned to up to 580 PS (427 kW).

Usually, Mercedes presents Black Series version about two years after the production of the standard model begins. Therefore, considering the AMG GT will reach dealerships in 2015, it could be assumed the Black Series will come no earlier than 2017.

At Center of Excellence in Sindelfingen

A sexy black Mercedes-AMG GT has been photographed at Center of Excellence in Sindelfingen, Germany.

Back in 1909 when talking about the Model T, Henry Ford said "any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black" and certainly we wouldn't mind that much if it was applicable to the new Mercedes-AMG GT as it looks stunning in this dark hue. Most likely a pre-production car, the vehicle seen here was the star of a short photo session near Stuttgart in Sindelfingen, Germany.

Mercedes-Benz design chief Gorden Wagener said at the beginning of the year the AMG GT is the firm's "most beautiful car" ever, a model which will likely be sold only with a hatchback configuration as the roadster - although "virtually complete" - will allegedly not be green-lighted for production because Mercedes-Benz is afraid it would steal sales from the SL.

It took less than a day for the first rendered attempts to visualize what a roadster version of the Mercedes-AMG GT could look like to surface online.

Reports of an open top model have been floating around for ages, but the Germans have denied interest in such a car (for now) citing several reasons, including that they see the AMG GT as an undiluted sports car with "first-class racetrack performance".

There's also the issue of adding yet another range topping convertible model to an already crowded range after the existing two-seater SL Roadster and the upcoming four-seater S-Class Cabrio at a time that convertible sales are subsiding worldwide.

What do you think - should Mercedes reconsider and if so, would there be a place for all three top convertible models in their range (not including the future C-Class Cabriolet, SLK Roadster and E-Class Cabriolet)?

Mercedes has let the new AMG GT off the leash revealing the two-door supercar that will be available in two V8-powered flavors in all its glory.

Following its public debut at the Paris motor show this October, Mercedes will start rolling out the AMG GT S with 510PS (503hp) and entry-level AMG GT with 462PS (456hp) in Europe, with the UK getting both cars in April of 2015, and the U.S., first the GT S in spring of 2015 and a year later, the base GT.

Both versions are powered by AMG's new 4.0-liter bi-turbocharged V8 that is related to the 2.0-liter turbo four-pot found in the A45 / CLA45 /GLA45 AMG, and which will be utilized in the next C63 AMG models.

The two V8s are paired to the same seven-speed dual clutch transmission in transaxle configuration at the rear axle. Mercedes quotes a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 3.8 seconds for the GT S (top speed: 193mph or 311km/h) and 4.0 seconds for the GT (max speed: 189mph or 304km/h).

While it shares its aluminums chassis structure with the recently discontinued SLS AMG, Mercedes is marketing the smaller and lighter AMG GT as a different proposal in the sports car segment, setting its sights on the Porsche 911 Turbo, higher end versions of the Jaguar F-Type and the upcoming McLaren P13. This will be reflected in the AMG GT's pricing, which is expected to cost around 40 percent less than the SLS AMG.

At 4,546mm long, 1,939mm wide and 1,289mm tall, the AMG GT had the same width as the SLS AMG, but it's 92mm shorter and 37mm taller.

Overall weight distribution is 47 per cent front and 53 per cent rear, with the GT S tipping the scales at 1,570kg (3,461 lbs) and the base GT at 1,540kg (3,395 lbs) – both figures without a driver.

The GT S model gets additional standard goodies such as the electronically controlled differential (instead of the GT's mechanical rear differential), the AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension with three-stage damping, bigger front brakes (390mm vs. 360mm) and a staggered wheel setup with 265/35 R 19 tires at the front and 295/30 R 20 tires at the rear.

Furthermore, the GT S can be fitted with the optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package that includes dynamic engine and transmission mounts. According to Mercedes:

"[The package] builds on the standard drivetrain damping to add dynamic engine and transmission mounts that can operate independently of each other. The mounts automatically relax during comfort-orientated driving, and tighten up when it’s driven harder and the car senses the requirement."

A ceramic high-performance composite brake system with 402mm discs at the front and 360mm at the rear is optionally available for both models.

As for the design, we'll have plenty of time to talk about it, but the first reactions over the Porsche 911-meets-Jaguar E-Type silhouette seem to be on the positive side. Of course, design is subjective, so shoot away your thoughts in the comments.