The Mercedes-AMG GT3 Is A Very Angry Car, Be Afraid Now

Mercedes-AMG has decided to shed some light on its new race car prior to its officially unveiling at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Made to comply with the FIA’s GT3 race rules and as the successor to the SLS AMG GT3 racer, this is the Mercedes-AMG GT3.

Powertrain

Now, the basic Mercedes-AMG GT on which the GT3 is based on, has a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine in place. That just won’t do for what Mercedes-AMG has in store for its race car. Instead, they taken the same 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine from the SLS AMG GT3 and tweaked it a little to produce around 600 hp.

That is nearly 100 hp more than the standard road car in its ‘S’ variant and with a successful motorsport campaign in the previous race car, why change what is already a proven race engine, right?

Lightweight

That massive V8 functions to propel the immensely-lightened body of the GT3. What used to be a luxurious interior has been stripped-out in the interest of losing a few kilos. And it doesn’t just end there because the engine cover, doors, front wing, front and rear aprons, sidewalls, side skirts, diffuser, boot lid and rear aerofoil are all made from carbon fibre too. Other racing modifications include the installation of an integrated steel rollcage with carbon fibre racing seats.

Styling

Make no mistake, if you see this car in your rear-view mirror, you’ll know what it is. With wide wheel arches, slates, sharp pointy angles and a front grille inspired by the classic W194 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racer, the GT certainly has presence to it. And should it pass you, that large rear end and GT wing is the last you’ll see of it.

Future development

Although the Mercedes-AMG GT3 is made to compete in the FIA GT3 championship next year, the racer could also serve to inspire or act as a mobile development laboratory for a more hardcore version of the regular GT road car that could see a lightened and more powerful version of it made for the roads.

Competition

The world of FIA GT3 racing is occupied by various other car makers. Among the other racers the Mercedes-AMG GT3 will go up against will be the Bentley Continental GT3, Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3, Lamborghini Huracan GT3, McLaren 650S GT3, Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and more.