Mercedes-AMG will ring in its 2015 motorsport season in the next couple of days with the new AMG GT3. The track-focused model will make its debut at this week’s Geneva Motor Show.
Based on the road-going AMG GT, Mercedes says this new GT3 version complies with the FIA's GT3 race rules. Following its test phase, the latter will be shipped to the first customer teams at the end of 2015. The GT3 gets a widened body work, large air intakes, a diffuser and a huge rear aerofoil. The overall bodywork apparently has been made to maximise aerodynamic performance.
As in the road-going version, the GT3 consists of a lightweight aluminium space-frame. The driver is 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's weight further, the engine cover, doors, front wing, sidewalls, side skirts, diffuser, boot lid and rear aerofoil are all made using carbon-fibre.
Unlike the road-going model which used an all-new twin turbo charged V8, the GT3 keeps the old 6.3-litre V8 engine from the SLS AMG GT3. Full details on the vehicle will be out in the next couple of days at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.
