Mercedes-AMG has been testing many GT R prototypes in recent years, and every time something new appeared on one of them, people thought they were looking at the upcoming Black Series.

This time, however, there’s a strong chance we are looking at the real thing. These latest spy shots taken in southern Europe reveal some radical elements on the GT R, chief of which is the vented engine hood which sports two big sculpted outlets, as well as an air intake between them. If engineers decided those enormous scoops were necessary, then it means the engine is generating a lot of heat as a by-product of its high horsepower and torque output.

In all likelihood, Mercedes-AMG will use its venerable 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in the most aggressive state of tune yet, with around 630 horsepower — the same with the AMG GT 63 S four-door coupe. However, some sources claim the Black Series could be even more powerful, possibly even exceeding 700 HP!

Watch: This Mercedes-AMG GT R May Be Quiet, But We Bet It’s A Black Series

While the peak output remains in the realm of speculation, the AMG GT R Black Series will deliver a wilder driving experience than any other variantsreleased so far, including the GT R Pro. Other changes we can spot on this particular prototype include a black carbon fiber roof and a quad exhaust system integrated into a massive rear diffuser.

Still, it doesn’t seem to feature the full aerodynamic package we’ve seen on previous prototypes. In any case, the Black Series is expected to debut sometime in 2020 as the ultimate iteration of Mercedes-AMG’s sports car.

Photo credits: CarPix for Carscoops