The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG was released in 2010 as the first vehicle developed entirely in-house by Mercedes-AMG, following the company’s full acquisition by Daimler-Benz AG in 2005 (at that point DaimlerChrysler AG). Its design combined Mercedes-AMG’s technical knowledge with the production capabilities of Mercedes-Benz, allowing Mercedes-AMG, for the first time, to design a vehicle entirely from scratch. The SLS AMG’s mid-engine layout and lightweight aluminum spaceframe chassis were oriented for high performance, and exterior styling was created by Mercedes-Benz designer Mark Fetherston to invoke the classic 300 SL Coupe of 1954.

In the summer of 2013, Mercedes-Benz released the Black Series variant of the SLS AMG, inspired by the earlier SLS AMG GT3 model. Its design updated that of the original with lightweight components, including an AMG titanium sports exhaust, lithium-ion battery, and carbon fiber body panels that reduced weight by 154 pounds. Additional tuning by Mercedes-AMG increased horsepower to 622. A mere 132 examples of the Black Series were produced.