Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro

At the Los Angeles Auto Show debuted the limited edition Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro, which is positioned as a top model even above the well-known GT R. Compared to this, the Pro receives improvements in the four fields of suspension, lightweight, aerodynamics and design. A new AMG coilover suspension provides additional adjustment options to adapt the car to different racetracks, with the spring rate as well as the rebound and compression levels being variable. These adjustments are easily achieved by a click system on each damper. The carbon torsion bar at the front and the steel stabilizer at the rear are also adjustable. In addition to the uniball joint bearings on the lower wishbones, which are taken from the normal GT R, now corresponding components are used on the upper wishbones as well. To further stiffen the structure of the rear of the vehicle, there is now a high-strength carbon shear panel.

Although the car is designed even more than before for lightweight construction, the Track Package is part of the standard equipment in Europe (not available in America and China). In addition to a 2-kg fire extinguisher and a bolted rollover protection behind the seats, this also includes enclosed four-point safety belts for driver and co-driver. Numerous carbon components and the factory-installed carbon-ceramic brake system with black brake calipers also help to reduce the weight, as do the forged rims in matte titanium grey with a rim flange with high-sheen finish.

At the front, the GT R Pro is redesigned compared to the normal GT R and gets a new bumper with a longer carbon lip spoiler, which seamlessly merges into new, additional flics at the side. Next to the license plate two small metal struts hold the lip in position. In order to ventilate the front wheel arches more efficiently, Louvers are located in the upper area of the fenders. At the rear, behind the wheel cut-outs, raised carbon elements ensure a calming of the airflow. These components are seamlessly mounted to the diffuser and widen this effectively. Combined with the aerodynamic components familiar from the standard AMG GT R, such as the fixed rear wing, which receives an additional gurney flap on the Pro, and the active elements on the underbody, this results in even better downforce, resulting in faster speeds in corners.

Details borrowed from motorsport form the standard ‘Carbon Package I’, through which the car receives the front splitter, the fins on the side air outlets and the diffuser in bare carbon. In addition there is a redesigned, centrally lowered carbon roof. To bring the GT R Pro visually even closer to racing, Mercedes-AMG offers a decor set with racing stripes on bonnet, roof and sides. This wears exclusively bright green for the paint color ‘Selenite grey magno’ (matte grey). For all other paint colors the stripes are held in matte dark grey.

The fact that the Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro not only looks fast, but really is quick was proved by factory driver Maro Engel on the Nürburgring Nordschleife with a lap time of 7:04,621 minutes. Technically, the car is fully equivalent to the normal GT R, with the same 4-liter V8 biturbo engine with 430 kW/585 hp and 700 newtonmeters of torque under its hood. It accelerates to 62 mph in 3.6 seconds and reaches a topspeed of 318 kph (198 mph).

Images: Mercedes-AMG