If you want a properly sorted racecar, and you have very deep pockets, there is no company better placed than an automaker to offer you a race machine; a race machine such as the recently launched Mercedes-AMG GT3.

Find out more about the Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro at this link.

Constantly improving

Mercedes-AMG took a leaf out of Porsche’s playbook when it started to offer customer versions of its sportscars for privateers to race in GT3 series around the world. What started with the SLS has continued with the GT range of cars.

This latest Mercedes-AMG GT3, unveiled at the Nurburgring 24 hour race this last weekend, is an evolution of the car that customer racing teams have been competing with for a few years. Mercedes-AMG has made the new car more user-friendly and cost-effective. If you must know, the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT3 costs a shade over R6,5m.

Still naturally aspirated

The new car still uses AMG’s 6,3-litre naturally aspirated engine. The V8 has been optimised for extended running time. Rebuilds of the engine are required less frequently than before, which helps to reduce team costs. Mercedes-AMG does not quote any power or torque figures for the motor as those are series dependent. A revised front section of the car protects the radiator more effectively and a newly developed integral beam raises the protection level of the units in the front of the car (engine, front axle, steering, etc.) ie all the stuff that could be damaged in a front-end shunt.

Power is delivered to the rear axle via a six-speed sequential racing transmission. 18-inch light alloys are employed at each corner. These hide 390 mm front discs up front and 355 mm items on the rear axle. The mass of the new car is quoted as less than 1 285 kg, or a few hundred kg less than a typical saloon.

Click here to read up on the record-setting engine of the upcoming A45 AMG.

Fine-tuned

New features that help differentiate the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT3 include a new front apron, new flics, a new front splitter and a new rear apron. The new items have been tested in the wind tunnel to enhance downforce and drag to improve aerodynamic performance at the racetrack.

The braking system and traction control were developed further as well. The adjustable competition ABS has now been tailored to suit the specifications of the current generation of competition tyres even better. The optimised traction control lets the Mercedes-AMG continuously act at the grip limit with even more sensitivity, saving the tyres even more with maximum power at the same time.