The ultimate Mercedes-AMG GT is a track star
Punishment from the pandemic is triggering a global surge in fast-car sales including racetrack specials.
Mercedes-AMG reports massive demand for its go-faster Benzes and the German performance brand is even producing a special edition of its GT coupe that is only for owners who want to cut hot laps – but not race – on some of the world’s most iconic racetracks.
Its newest model is the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series, which plucks parts from the race-only GT3 and GT4 versions, mixes them with the heart of the range-topping GT Black Series and injects the final package into a track-focussed newcomer that will cost something beyond $500,000.
The headline numbers are a staggering 580kW of power, 850Nm of torque and a top speed of 318km/h after a private track test at the Paul Ricard circuit in France.
Mercedes-AMG is only building 55 examples of the Track Series to celebrate its 55th anniversary, but a couple are expected to land in Australia for collectors who are also AMG fans with a need for speed.
For reference, just 28 versions of the GT Black Series were allocated to Australia – each priced at about $800K and powered by a 537kW version of AMG’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 – while just 15 examples of the more focused GT R Pro came here, each priced around $453K and powered by the same 430kW engine as the GT R.
Both road-legal AMG GT models were spoken for almost immediately and Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing chief Stefan Wendl says the circuit-only Track Series is also already a sell-out.
“There are a few wealthy people who cannot live like they used to do – or they do not want to,” Wendl told carsales during the Bathurst 12 Hour sports car race on the weekend, when Mercedes-AMG claimed all three podium places.
“They don’t want to go everywhere, every weekend, and be in crowded places. They look for other opportunities.”
Wendl says the lure of unlimited autobahns has become more powerful, and so have driving days on closed racetracks.
“It gets more and more difficult with the wonderful new cars, from AMG and other brands, to experience what the cars are capable of doing [legally on public roads]. These guys find the exhilaration on the racetrack.
“They also come to Germany to make the ‘highway tour’. They start at 8:00pm and maybe drive 500km through the night. Munich to Berlin and Hamburg, and then back.”
The pandemic lockdowns also freed up funds for a lot of top-end AMG buyers, who are happy to splash more than $350,000 on something special for the garage – or track.
“We knew we would find customers. There is enough demand,” said Wendl.
That was the spark for the Track Series, which is likely to be the final halo car for the AMG GT before the arrival of an all-new model including a GT3 racer within the next year or so.
“We found the Black Series was sold out. We were thinking of taking the GT4 [race car] and making a special-edition out of it. Then we discussed merging those two ideas,” he said.
“We wanted to put the Black Series engine into the GT4. Then we took the Black Series bodywork, without the active aero elements, and from the GT4 we took the chassis, everything inside with the safety cell and the monocoque.”
The final result is clearly a track car, but one that can be run without the massive pitlane support required by some other supercars – including Ferrari – on a private track day.
Wendl says the pandemic push is unlikely to end in the near future, as the need for speed continues to draw buyers to AMG.
“The Track Series is limited to 55 units, because it is a collector car. We have far more than 200 prospects.
“It’s not homologated. It’s not for racing. It’s just for fun,” he said.
As a refresher, the Track Series ekes out an extra 43kW and 50Nm over the Black Series thanks in part to custom motorsport fuel-injectors and a specific engine tune.
The GT Track Series also features a Hewland HLS six-speed racing gearbox with adjustable differential to transfer power to the rear axle, while “comprehensively adjustable” four-way Bilstein dampers and individually adjustable anti-roll bars allow for more set-up options.
There are staggered width 18-inch AMG forged alloy wheels and other track-ready features include a roll cage made of high-tensile steel, an FIA-approved carbon driver’s safety cell, motorsport fire extinguisher system and six-piston brake callipers up front.
Weighing in at 1400kg, the Track Series wears a carbon-fibre bonnet, sills, rear bumper and (mechanically adjustable) rear wing – just one of a host of aerodynamics features to ensure downforce at speed.
Inside, there’s race-specific traction and anti-lock braking systems, plus an exclusive steering wheel with data-logging system, but no creature comforts such as electric windows, sound-deadening materials or interior trim.
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Keyword: COVID pain brings Mercedes-AMG gain