First off, Mercedes-AMG has been remarkably kind with the name of its new racecar: just called the AMG GT3.
Versus the AMG GT GT3, the simple moniker is very nice indeed.
Besides that generosity, the AMG GT3 is a totally brutal racecar. Running the previous SLS GT3’s 6.2-liter V8 versus the new twin-turbo powertrain in the production car, the AMG GT3 is nonetheless comprehensively overhauled for the needs of FIA GT3-class racing.
These GT3 specials are interesting to watch race because they are all genuine production platforms, upgraded for racing. No other class or series is as faithful to original chassis designs as GT3.
The second reason GT3 upgrades are interesting?
They show how the original engineering teams would make their car twice as fast on a track. They show the extensive aerodynamic changes, total light-weighting and comfort strip-out, and overall purity of focus on just racing. Not racing to work, or ‘racing’ a Porsche on Mulholland Drive.
This new AMG GT3 wears dramatic aero changes that go far beyond the lower splitter, sill and diffuser packages we have come to expect. Most intriguingly, there is a huge focus on clearing excess air out of the engine bay. A deep reverse scoop is ridiculously huge, and cavarnous front fender-backs also clear nearly a half-foot into the overall bodywork.
In a nod to function as well as beauty, the fender-tops are sliced with a dozen air vents for additional cooling and aero releases.
A final detail that is lovely and elegant even in the face of track battles? The slim vertical chrome slats in the grille are a kind nod to the 1952 W194 300SL racecar. The tow loop in front even (sortof) recalls the original leather hood straps.
You can even see that the corners of the grille toward the bottom of both vehicles share almost the exact same shape. Very cool.
2015 Mercedes-AMG GT3
ALL-OUT ATTACK: THE NEW MERCEDES-AMG GT3
26-Feb-2015
World première in Geneva for spectacular AMG racing car
Affalterbach. Mercedes-AMG will ring in the 2015 motorsport season at the beginning of March with the sonorous sound of the V8 engine: the new Mercedes-AMG GT3, with which the Mercedes-Benz sports car and high-performance brand is systematically expanding its motorsports presence, will be making its debut appearance at the Geneva Motor Show. Developed to comply with the FIA’s GT3 race rules, the racing car will compete in the world’s most hotly contested customer race series. Cutting-edge racing technology and spectacular design predestine the new challenger for victories. The new GT3 is based on the Mercedes-AMG GT, which is being launched in just a few days’ time. Following an intensive test phase, the new AMG racing car will be shipped to the first customer teams at the end of 2015.
The Mercedes-AMG GT3 will blaze new trails in customer sports with its intelligent vehicle concept. The excellent racetrack performance of the standard GT already provides the best possible basis for this. “We are entering a hard-fought and hotly contested competitive environment with the new Mercedes-AMG GT3. The high technological standard and fair race rules are spurring us on to push to take pole position with our new customer racing car. You can only give credible proof of your ambition to lead if you’re beating the very best in the game,” commented Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
The standard Mercedes-AMG GT already provides the ideal prerequisites for the GT3 racing model, with its low centre of gravity, perfect distribution of weight and wide track width. For this layout guarantees precise cornering properties, high lateral acceleration, first-class agility, a high level of traction and low inertia when having to change direction fast. On the different race circuits, all of these attributes give the driver the advantages necessary to achieve top placements.
Even at a standstill, the new Mercedes-AMG GT3 is the embodiment of undiluted power. Its matt paintwork in designo selenite grey magno covers the muscular contours like a second skin. The widened vehicle body, the large air intakes, the diffuser and the huge rear aerofoil all signalise a desire to attack. Every modification to the bodywork has been made for the purpose of maximising power output and aerodynamic performance.
As in the road going version, the vehicle structure of the GT3 consists of a very lightweight yet extremely rigid aluminium spaceframe, offering outstanding protection for the driver. The driver is further protected by the resilient carbon-fibre seat pan and an integral roll-over cage made from high-tensile steel. In order to reduce the vehicle weight further still, the engine cover, doors, front wing, front and rear aprons, sidewalls, side skirts, diffuser, boot lid and rear aerofoil are all made from particularly lightweight yet high-strength carbon-fibre.
Cutting-edge motorsports technology for maximum performance
Powerful acceleration is ensured by the seasoned and now further enhanced AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine taken from the SLS AMG GT3. User-friendly technology, excellent reliability, long maintenance intervals and the high-revving naturally aspirated engine with low running costs made it the engine of choice for the new AMG customer sports model. The six-speed sequential racing gearbox for the GT3 is – as is the case in the standard GT – mounted in a transaxle configuration on the rear axle, thereby facilitating optimum weight distribution. They also have double-wishbone suspension – made almost entirely from aluminium – in common. These solutions once again demonstrate how closely linked regular production technology and racing technology are at AMG.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.