In the next couple of weeks, Mercedes-AMG is preparing to set an official lap time at the Nurburgring with the GT R.
Given that the model has been dubbed by the carmaker as the ‘Beast of the Green Hell‘, it’s somewhat surprising it didn’t post a flying lap around the German circuit prior to the model’s world debut in late June.
Nonetheless, engineers have been taking the potent sports car to the Nurburgring in recent weeks and according to insiders who spoke with Autocar, a lap time near the 7 minute and 20 second mark could be on the cards.
If such a lap time is achieved, it will put the AMG GT R on par with the latest 911 GT3 RS and within touching distance of the 911 Turbo S which recently recorded a 7:18 lap. By comparison, the AMG GT S brings an official 7:40 Nurburgring lap time to the table.
The key performance gains come due to the host of improvements made to the GT R. For starters, it’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 delivers 577 hp, well up on the 503 hp of the GT S. Additionally, the GT-R has a rear steering system which at high speeds, turns the rear wheels by up to 1.5 degrees in the same direction as the front wheels, aiding in stability.
Additionally, the GT R also includes an advanced and customizable traction control system with nine different settings. Aerodynamic aids are aplenty as well.
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