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Mercedes-AMG Unveils GT4 Contender

Mercedes-AMG reveals GT4 contender for 2017 race debut…

Photo: Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG has become the latest brand to release a customer car for the GT4 category, officially unveiling its Mercedes-AMG GT4 on Tuesday morning ahead of the Total 24 Hours of Spa.

The German manufacturer first announced the car in December at its annual awards dinner in Stuttgart, and will make the first deliveries to customer teams later this year while also making a race debut as part of the car’s development program.

The new model is based on the Mercedes-AMG GT R road car and is the third customer GT car built by the manufacturer, following the SLS AMG GT3 of 2010 and Mercedes-AMG GT3 released in 2016.

Mercedes-AMG has fitted a four-liter V8 biturbo powerplant to the GT4 car, producing up to 510 horsepower, as well as a sequential six-speed gearbox.

Bernd Schneider, Thomas Jaeger and Jan Seyffarth have all been involved in the car’s testing program so far and a further schedule which will include a total of 30,000 kilometers of track testing is planned before cars are delivered.

The car has already completed a 30-hour endurance test at the Lausitzring.

Three cars will take to competition later this season as part of the development program, run by HWA and with possible support from partner teams.

“The GT4 segment is getting more and more popular,” said Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG.

“The production-based concept is an important factor, especially when you want to get started in motorsport as a team or as a driver.

“For some teams, the GT4 category also serves as a sensible addition to their existing involvement in GT3, for instance to support young drivers.

“For us as a manufacturer, GT4 competition is a logical next step to extend our Customer Racing Programme.

“After the achievements in GT3 racing, the Mercedes-AMG GT4 is opening another valuable platform for us to prove our competence as a globally successful sports car and performance brand.

“There is no doubt that we will once again be setting new benchmarks in the segment with the latest member in our customer racing program.”

Mercedes-AMG joins several other manufacturers recently releasing or planning GT4 cars, including Audi, BMW, Ford, Chevrolet and McLaren.

Photo: Mercedes-AMG

Photo: Gruppe C Photography

Photo: Mercedes-AMG

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.

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