Mercedes Has Plans for a Road-Going Version of the GT GT3 Racer

2016 Mercedes-AMG GT (Credit: © Mercedes-AMG)

With the Mercedes-AMG GT and GT S finally revealed, we are all just waiting on a FIA GT3-spec version to take over the position held by the SLS GT3. According to an interview Autocar had with Mercedes executive Tobias Moers, this car will arrive in time for the 2016 racing season. What’s more, when Autocar quizzed the Moers about a possible road-going version of the GT3 car, he said “Why not?”
Moers went on to elaborate to Autocar, reporting that the car would not carry the “GT3″ moniker, nor would it be a “Black Series” model. According to the report, the plan with the road-legal version of the GT GT3 racer would be to shave about 80 to 100 kg (176 to 220 pounds) from the GT S model, which weighs 1,570 kg (3,461 pounds). Given the Mercedes-AMG GT is rather light in its current form — roughly 80 kg (176 pounds) lighter than the SLS AMG it replaces — Mercedes will have to turn to extensive carbon fiber use to shed the extra pounds.
Autocar attempted to get powertrain details from Moers, but he would only say that speculating around the 550-horsepower mark would be “fair.” That would be a healthy 47-horsepower gain over the range-topping GT S’ 503 ponies. This power would likely result in a 3.6-seond run to 100 km/h (62 mph), but top speed would likely remain at 193 mph due to added downforce to keep the sports car planted on the track.
Moers also mentioned that we can expect a wider front and rear track that will help decrease the Mercedes-AMG GT’s Nurburgring time of 7 minutes and 30 seconds by about 10 seconds with standard tires.
There are no details on when this new version of the GT will make its appearance, but look for it to closely follow the debut of the FIA GT3-spec GT. Maybe even as early as 2017.