In the early 1960s, Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher worked for Mercedes-Benz and part of the 300 SE racing engine development program when Mercedes pulled out of motorsport.

The pair weren't done, though, so *Aufrecht and *Melcher spent their spare time at a house in *Grossaspach refining and honing the engine. *AMG

Manfred Schiek used the engine for the German Touring Car Championship through 1965 and, 10 victories later, the success story was underway. In 1999, the company, now known as Daimler AG, bought a majority interest in AMG and became the sole owner in 2005.

In 2006, AMG Performance Studio rolled out a hardcore and track-ready version of the SLK, and the 'Black Series' moniker was born.

So that's where we'll start... now I want to show you my own version of the 2020 A45s Black Series.