We expected the new Mercedes AMG GT R to be really fast, but to tell you the truth we didn’t expect it to be that fast.
Sport Auto released the following onboard video of their exclusive track test of the new AMG GT R around the Nurburgring, posting the incredible lap time of 7 min 10.92 seconds which is frankly amazing for a rear-driven car.
The twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 has been massaged to produce 577hp and 516lb-ft (700Nm) of peak torque. The mass is now 1,554kg (3,428lbs), 90kg (199lbs) less than the AMG GT S, with Mercedes also updating the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox for faster shifts. 0-62mph (0-100km/h) comes in 3.6 seconds, with the top speed set at 198mph (318km/h).
While these numbers are impressive, they apparently don’t reveal the true capabilities of the AMG GT R; the new wider bodywork has been inspired by the GT3 race car while Mercedes also gave the AMG GT R an all-new active aero element mounted in front of the engine which helps in reducing the front axle lift by 40kg, enabling the car to corner harder and faster than ever before.
Another trick up the AMG GT R’s sleeve is the active rear-wheel steering system which turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the ones at the front up to speeds of 62mph (100km/h) and from then onwards in the same direction, making the car more agile at lower speeds and more stable at higher ones.
The 7:10.92 lap time places the new Mercedes AMG GT R ahead of cars like the Dodge Viper ACR (7:12.13), Ferrari 488 GTB (7:21.63) and the Lexus LFA Nurburgring Pack (7:14.64). In fact the really small group of cars that are faster than the most hardcore version of AMG’s two-door coupe include cars like the Porsche 918 Spyder (6:57.00), the Lamborghini Aventador SV (6:59.73) and the Nissan GT-R Nismo (7:08.68).