Mercedes-AMG Unveils GT3-Based Track Day Special

Mercedes-AMG has unveiled a limited edition customer version of its modified GT3 car that broke the Mount Panorama lap record in the hands of Jules Gounon earlier this year.

Named the ‘Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport,’ the car was created as part of the brand’s celebrations of its 130-year presence in motorsport.

Unveiled at Pebble Beach as part of the Monterey Car Week event, the non-homologated special has been limited to a run of just 13 examples at a price of €1,030,000 ($1,134,066 USD).

The car is based on the modified Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo that factory driver Jules Gounon used to set the unofficial lap record at the Mount Panorama circuit ahead of this year’s Bathurst 12 Hour, although that record was later broken by Romain Dumas in the Ford SuperVan 4.2.

The 6.3-liter V8 engine produces 680 horsepower (507 kW) thanks to a lack of air restrictor and special exhaust system, while the car’s aerodynamics feature numerous changes including a new front splitter, side skirts, underfloor, rear diffuser and a rear wing featuring a Drag Reduction System (DRS).

Additionally, the steel brakes required on a homologated GT3 car have been replaced by carbon brakes.

The silver and blue livery design serves as a nod to Mercedes-AMG’s racing history, with the silver paying tribute to the Silver Arrows of the 1950s.

The blue, meanwhile, is a direct reference to the Mercedes 300 SL that was driven to victory in both the Carrera Panamericana and 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1952.

In the interior, the blue checkered fabric on the seats is inspired by the 300 SLR that was driven by the likes of Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss in 1955.

Notably, Mercedes-AMG has outlined that this car will be its last GT3 vehicle powered by a naturally aspirated engine, thereby all but confirming that the successor of the current car is due to feature a turbocharged engine.

The new car, which will be based on a derivative of its two-door Mercedes-AMG GT road car range, is currently under development by the recently founded Affalterbach Racing GmbH subsidiary.

“The unique Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport is the crowning glory of our current motorsport portfolio,” said Christoph Sagemueller, head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport.

“Not only is it strictly limited to 13 units, it is also the last GT3 version with our iconic AMG 6.3-litre V8 naturally aspirated engine.

“With this exclusive edition, we are also showing what is possible outside of the official homologation and we have integrated a number of technical refinements and lightweight components.

“We are thus setting another milestone in our anniversary year and offering interested customers.”