This Track-Only Mercedes-AMG GT Is A Final Goodbye To The 6.2-Litre V8

When the Mercedes-AMG GT first launched back in 2014, it was one of the first cars to make use of the company’s then-new twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8. The road car, that is. Its racing version – the AMG GT3 – was free from the bounds of emissions rules, so continued to use the ripsnorting 6.2-litre unit that had underpinned the AMG range throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s.

It’s been ripping its way around racetracks across the world ever since, reminding us what we’ve been missing in AMG’s road cars. With a new AMG GT already out, though, the new GT3 racer is just around the corner, and it’s set to use the 4.0-litre V8.

In an extremely literal interpretation of not going quietly into that good night, Merc has unveiled this: the (deep breath) Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport (gasp for air). It’s both a celebration of 130 years of the three-pointed star in motorsport and a final send-off for the 6.2-litre V8 (which Merc’s always insisted on calling a 6.3 for… reasons).

Essentially, what you’re looking at is an AMG GT3 turned into a track toy, unburdened by racing regulations and balance of performance. As a result, the engine’s air restrictor has been thrown in the bin and a new exhaust fitted, for a peak output of 671bhp and 538lb ft of torque.

The lack of rules also means AMG’s been able to fit a redesigned front splitter and bigger rear wing, for 15 per cent more downforce than the racing drivers are allowed to play with. That wing also gets a drag reduction system, for a top speed in excess of 196mph.

Some things that aren’t changed are the six-speed sequential gearbox (although it does have tweaked ratios) and the four-way adjustable motorsport shocks. While the GT3 car has to make do with steel brakes, though, the Edition 130Y has carbon ceramics.

Inside, much of the very functional motorsport-ish fabrics have been retrimmed in blue chequered fabric and brown leather, a nod to the interior of the legendary 300 SLR racer of the 1950s.

Just 13 of these very noisy nostalgia trips are being made, and naturally, they don’t come cheap: each one costs €1.03 million (around £875,000), before VAT. Then again, you get a full set of matching race gear with it, so there.