7 Things You Might Not Know About the Mercedes CLK63 AMG Black Series

Here at Romans International, we've always had a particular appreciation for the madder side of Mercedes-AMG. Which is why we’ve chosen to feature the CLK63 AMG Black Series as part of our “If You Don’t Know, Now You Know” series. 

This car marks a pivotal moment in AMG's history. It was a time when Mercedes decided that subtlety was overrated and built something gloriously unhinged. Inspired by our video series with Tom Jaconelli, we’ve shared some of the lesser-known details about this incredible car… 

Fact 1: It's Actually Based On An F1 Safety Car

Back in the late 2000s, the official Formula 1 safety car was a heavily modified CLK63 AMG. But rather than keeping all that racing-derived engineering to themselves, Mercedes-AMG decided to create a road-going version that the general public could actually buy.

The result was the CLK63 AMG Black Series. It’s a car that brought genuine F1 safety car DNA to the roads. AMG took the lessons learned from developing that track weapon and channelled them into what became their second-ever Black Series model. 

Fact 2: Those Flared Arches Define The Black Series DNA

The CLK63 Black Series established what would become the trademark Black Series styling language. It is renowned for its widebody stance with dramatically flared wheel arches, functional vents cut into the bodywork behind them, and a carbon fibre rear lip spoiler.

Let’s be clear, though, these arches aren't just for show, either. They're 75mm wider at the front and 66mm wider at the rear compared to the standard CLK63, housing 19-inch forged alloys and allowing for much wider tyres. 

And what about those vents behind the arches? Well, they channel air to additional oil coolers for both the transmission and engine. Every element serves a purpose, but it just happens to look absolutely spectacular in the process.

Fact 3: The Interior Is Properly Track-Focused

Inside the CLK63, there is something very obvious missing - the rear seats. They're gone entirely, removed in the name of weight saving. Instead, up front, you're greeted by fixed-back racing bucket seats that offer serious lateral support and shed even more kilos.

And here's a quirky detail that might surprise you: in the US market, you couldn't actually specify these racing buckets at all. American buyers had to opt for Comfort Seats instead, presumably because US regulations or market preferences demanded a more forgiving seating position. 

Of course, it means the properly hardcore European-spec Black Series with the fixed buckets is the one you really want.

Fact 4: That M156 V8 Is Properly Special

Under the bonnet of the CLK63 sits the legendary 6.2-litre naturally aspirated M156 V8 - and what a glorious noise it makes. This was the very first engine developed entirely from scratch by AMG, marking a departure from the supercharged engines they'd been using previously.

In Black Series form, this V8 produces 507 brake horsepower and revs all the way to 7,200 RPM. That's serious firepower from a naturally aspirated engine, and the soundtrack? Absolutely magnificent. It's raw, visceral, and utterly intoxicating - everything an AMG V8 should be. 

Fact 5: The Gearbox Has The Most Unusual Shifter

The CLK63 Black Series uses a seven-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission, but what makes it most memorable is the shifter design. Rather than a conventional gear lever, you get this short, stubby unit that shifts amongst what can only be described as "bristles."

The engineering is genuinely clever. You can shift gears by simply clicking the lever left or right through these bristles, giving tactile feedback with each change. Of course, if you prefer, there are also steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. 

Fact 6: It Features Proper Old-School Mechanical Suspension

In an era when adaptive dampers were becoming increasingly common, AMG took a refreshingly different approach with the Black Series. The CLK63 features fully adjustable coilover suspension (something pretty rare for a road car), but with a purely mechanical setup and no adaptive dampers whatsoever.

This gives you that old-school AMG feel, where the car's behaviour is determined by physics and engineering rather than software. You can dial in your preferred setup, and it stays that way, delivering consistent, predictable handling. 

Fact 7: The Interior Has Some Brilliant Quirks

Open the centre console, and you'll find some wonderful time-capsule features. For example, there's an original iPod charger that's actually hard-wired into the car. You'll also spot a portable Mercedes-Benz Bluetooth receiver, and perhaps best of all, there's a secret cubby hole specifically designed for carrying coins around. Remember those good old days?! 

These details might seem trivial, but they perfectly capture a moment in automotive history before smartphones made everything else obsolete. They're also a reminder that the CLK63 Black Series, for all its track focus and performance credentials, was still intended as a usable daily driver. 

A Great Example of How Rarity Breeds Desirability

Of around 500 CLK63 AMG Black Series produced worldwide, we believe just 30 were UK-supplied cars. What makes this even more interesting is the split: approximately five were left-hand drive, and 25 were right-hand drive, making UK right-hand drive examples particularly sought-after.

At Romans International, we've watched the CLK63 Black Series transform from a slightly bonkers AMG special into a bona fide modern classic. Values have been steadily increasing, and for good reason. It's raw, it's loud, it's occasionally terrifying, and it's absolutely brilliant. Check out the video below... 

If you don't know, now you know! For more insights from Tom and the team, follow our "If You Don't Know" series on YouTube Shorts, where we explore the details that make each supercar special.