Mercedes Debuts AMG GT3 At The 2015 Geneva Motor Show
This is the supercar that any enthusiast would love to take home. But first of all, let me ask you this question: are you sure you’re capable of handling a 6.2-litre-V8-engine race car?
Competition on the racetrack is deeply ingrained in the DNA of AMG, and constantly drives the team in Affalterbach on to achieve top-class performance. Cutting-edge racing technology and the spectacular design predestine the new challenger for victories. And the new AMG GT3 has everything of a champion. “We are entering contested and strongly occupied competitive environments with the new Mercedes-AMG GT3. The high technological level and fair race rules motivate to be right up in the front rank with our new customer racing car. Our standard version of the AMG GT is already aimed specifically at the fiercely contested sports car segment. We’re now systematically continuing this strategy on the racetrack as well. Only those who win against the best can substantiate a claim to be a leader,” said Tobias Moers, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
Let’s talk about the production first. The GT3 adds track width, reduces weight, improves aerodynamic downforce, and features a bevy of race-specific technology and equipment, including a six-speed twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine and carbon fiber — which is the main material of the bonnet, doors, front wings, front and rear aprons, side walls, side skirts, diffuser, boot lid and rear aerofoil. A large, central aperture is the bonnet has the appearance of a gaping mouth. Its purpose is to expel volumes of air warmed by the cooling module.
The sequential six-speed racing transmission of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 is mounted at the rear axle and connected to the engine by a torsionally rigid torque tube. A drive shaft rotates at the engine inside the torque tube. A multi-disc locking differential integrated into the transmission acts together with the adjustable traction control to ensure that the engine power is optimally transferred to the racetrack during acceleration. The drive shifts the six gears using two steering wheel shift paddles. Gear-shifts are performed by pneumatic actuators which are likewise integrated into the transmission.
Like the roadgoing version, the GT3 has a double wishbone suspension made almost completely of aluminium. The cockpit was also kept the same as that of a roadgoing sports car: the low, sloping dashboard resembles a powerful wing and emphasises the width of the car.
Mercedes-AMG will begin shipping the first customer cars to race teams in late 2015 ahead of the 2016 season. Testing by Mercedes Service in Melbourne Agency and validation are still being performed, so you might be able to see the GT3 at various tracks around the world throughout 2015.
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