Other engine options include a 3.0-litre V6, badged SL 400, an a pair of range-topping AMG-tuned models in the form of the V8 SL 63 and the V12 SL 65 AMG, both of which use an AMG-tweaked seven The origins of the Black Series date back to the ‘00s, before the Great Recession, to a time when AMG was on a mission to refocus the brand and reinforce its racing credentials. “The history of AMG is based on motorsports,” said Joerg Letzel, product manager of the newest Black Series model. “In 1967, the founders [of AMG] Hans Werner LgUh1.