By: IOL Motoring Staff
Brooklyn, England - If you’ve just bought a Mercedes-AMG GT you might find yourself green with envy at the sight of the latest addition to the range and not just because of its “Green hell mango” exclusive paint option which, as you just guessed, references the famed northern loop of the Nürburgring.
Although it is a street-legal production car, the new GT R packs in more motorsport technology than any car Mercedes-AMG has ever made, and no, it’s not related to a certain Nissan in any way.
The GT’s front-mid-mounted 4-litre twin-turbo V8 has been modified to produce a mighty 430kW and 700Nm, making it substantially more powerful than the 375kW/650Nm GT S.
So how fast is it? According to its maker, the GT R will screech from 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 318km/h, versus the 3.6s and 310km/h you’ll get out of a GT S.
Power goes to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Of course, Mercedes-AMG has also heavily tinkered with the chassis and aerodynamics to make the sports car an even sharper track tool than it already is.
To that end, it has a wider track, adjustable coil-over suspension system with additional electronic control as well as active rear-wheel steering and a modified traction control system that offers nine levels of adjustment.
Aerodynamic trickery includes a redesigned front fascia with active components and there’s a large rear spoiler and double diffuser.
According to Mercedes-Benz SA, the GT R will be available locally, in limited numbers, from April 2017.