THE fastest, most powerful, production car Mercedes-Benz has ever produced will cost from £229,985 when it hits the streets later this year.

Order books have opened for the potent SLS AMG Black Series Coupe, a super sports model inspired by the SLS GT3 racing car.

Its 6.3-litre V8 engine generates a staggering 631bhp and 635 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds.

Helping achieve those figures is the car's lightweight construction, with parts like the bonnet, rear panel behind the bucket seats, the diagonal braces on the underbody and the torque tube between engine and transmission made entirely of motorsport grade carbon fibre-reinforced plastic.

AMG Ride Control Performance suspension, ceramic brakes, wider flared wings, a new titanium sports exhaust and the electronically controlled rear-axle differential lock further boosts driving dynamics.

Design features include 19-inch front and 20-inch rear bi-colour alloys, a carbon-fibre front splitter and flicks on the front apron, a carbon-fibre rear aerofoil, designo black leather and Alcantara seats, AMG carbon-fibre trim and Alcantara steering wheel with a red 12-o'clock mark.

Mercedes has also unveiled the new SLS AMG GT Coupe, also boasting enhanced specification and improved driving dynamics.

Power in this model, which costs from £165,030, is increased to 591bhp - 20bhp more than the standard SLS AMG - with 650Nm of torque, an optimised seven-speed transmission for more dynamic shifting and redeveloped suspension for greater agility.

Also featuring a 6.3-litre V8, the GT can hit 62mph in 3.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 199mph. Combined fuel consumption is 21.4mpg.