The Mercedes-AMG GT was developed as the second sports car to be created entirely in-house by Mercedes-AMG, though it did not directly replace the SLS AMG, competing in a different segment. The GT R was conceived as a higher-performance version, building upon the existing Transaxle Spaceframe platform used by the SLS, but upgraded and shortened. The design aimed to deliver enhanced track performance while maintaining the aesthetic lineage of the SLS AMG, incorporating elements like wide wheel arches and a fastback sloping roofline, but utilizing conventional forward-opening doors instead of the iconic gullwing style.
The GT R is powered by a 4.0-litre M178 twin-turbocharged V8 engine, tuned to an output of 430 kW (585 PS; 577 hp) at 6,250 rpm and 700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft) of torque at 5,500 rpm. The engine employs a “hot inside V” configuration, positioning the exhaust manifolds and turbochargers within the cylinder banks to minimize turbo lag, and utilizes dry-sump lubrication. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a seven-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT dual-clutch transmission.
The GT R incorporates several key technical innovations. It features manually adjustable coilover springs in conjunction with the AMG Ride Control suspension system, an active underbody fairing, and a manually adjustable rear wing to optimize aerodynamic performance. A 9-mode AMG Traction Control system allows for precise control of wheelspin. The chassis and body are constructed from aluminium alloys, with a steel trunk lid and a magnesium hood, contributing to weight reduction. The car also features an electronically controlled limited-slip differential.
The GT R served as the Formula 1 safety car from 2018 to 2021, debuting in that role at the 2018 Australian Grand Prix. During the 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix, the Safety Car was given a red livery to commemorate Scuderia Ferrari’s 1,000th Grand Prix start. For the 2021 F1 season, the GT R Safety Car permanently adopted the red livery, alongside sponsorship from CrowdStrike, to improve visibility in poor conditions.
On the track, the GT R demonstrated significant performance capabilities. It completed a lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife track in 7:10.92, as tested by German magazine Sport Auto, making it the fastest rear wheel driven road-legal production car around the track at the time and the 5th fastest lap time for a road-legal production vehicle overall. A roadster version of the GT R was introduced in March 2019, limited to 750 units.
The corpus does not contain information about any regulatory outcomes triggered by the Mercedes-AMG GT R.
The GT R’s design and technology influenced subsequent AMG models. The GT R Pro, introduced in 2018, built upon the GT R’s foundation with further track-focused enhancements, including manually adjustable coil-over suspension, carbon-fibre anti-roll bars, and aerodynamic upgrades. The AMG GT3 and GT4 racing cars also benefited from the development of the GT R, incorporating lessons learned in aerodynamics and chassis tuning. The second-generation AMG GT, unveiled in 2023, is based on the same platform as the SL roadster, but retains the GT name, demonstrating a continued lineage from the original GT and its performance variants like the GT R. The AMG GT3 Evo, introduced in 2020, also draws upon the GT R’s advancements.
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