With the FIA GT3 European Championship as entertaining as this year’s season has proved thus far, Mercedes-Benz has seemingly made the right move in motorsport after Formula One, announcing recently that its SLS AMG GT3 is ready to order for next year.
This track-ready gullwing shares much with its production sibling, but as can be expected, has also been beefed up considerably to do battle with the likes of Aston Martin’s DBRS9, Audi’s R8 LMS, the Porsche 911 GT3 R and BMW Alpina B6 GT3, as well Ferrari’s F430 Scuderia and Chevrolet’s Corvette ZO6R GT3.
Building upon the already “in-your-face” design of the standard SLS, the GT3 model’s eye-widening visual changes all hint at enhanced aerodynamic prowess – such as the central cooling vent on the bonnet, the wider front and rear wings, the menacing new front apron and splitter and humongous adjustable scaffolding at the rear.
The interior features an obligatory steel roll-cage for as an individually foam-padded seat shell located in a high-strength carbon-fibre (CFRP) safety cell – supplemented by a six-point harness.
With the award-winning 6,2-litre V8 already massaged to what we’re sure is its full potential as standard (the production SLS produces 420 kW and 650 N.m of torque), it will be interesting to see how the FIA plans to even out the playing field in terms of maximum output and minimum weight – a process which apparently will only be concluded as the 2011 season starts…
The SLS GT3 sends its power to the rear wheels via a sequential six-speed transmission with steering wheel shift paddles, an integrated multi-disc locking differential and traction control. As in the road going SLS AMG, the transmission is located at the rear axle: the engine and transmission are connected by a torque tube within which a carbon-fibre shaft rotates at the engine speed.
With customer demand already exceeding initial supply, Mercedes-Benz has promised to uphold the brand’s reputation of excellent after-sales customer service.
“The Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 marks the beginning of a new era in Mercedes-Benz customer motorsport. This is an exciting and spectacular sports car for dedicated private teams and talented private drivers. AMG will work together with our tried-and-trusted sports and touring car partner HWA to put in place a motorsport customer department which will guarantee its motorsport customers hallmark Mercedes service,” says Mercedes-Benz motorsport chief Norbert Haug.
A road test of the Mercedes Benz SLS AMG appears in the September issue of CAR.