Yahoo Autos This Is Mercedes-AMG's GT4 Race Car
Late last year, Mercedes-AMG previewed a GT4 version of its GT street car, but was light on details. Today, the AMG GT4 makes its debut before this weekend's Spa 24 Hour race, with customer deliveries set to start later this year. The GT4 is based on the track-ready AMG GT R but uses an engine with similar specs as the less-powerful GT S.
The GT4 will actually be the first competition usage of AMG's 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 - AMG's GT3 race car actually uses the company's old 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V8. In the GT4, this engine offers up to 503 hp and over 443 lb-ft of torque and is mated to the same six-speed sequential gearbox as its GT3 sibling.
The GT4 weighs just 3064 lbs thanks to a mostly carbon-fiber body and an aluminum spaceframe that's shared with the GT R road car. AMG promises that the GT4 will be incredibly safe, too, thanks to a roll-cage made from high-strength steel, similar to what's used on the GT3 race car.
AMG fit the GT4 with manually adjustable dampers, and an ABS braking system from AP racing, with a bias-adjustment knob in the cockpit. The GT4 also gets a new version of AMG's traction control system that's based on the system used in the street car. Aerodynamics are also based on those found in the GT R street car, but optimized for track usage.
Before customer deliveries begin later this year, AMG plans to undertake 30,000 kilometers of additional track testing for the GT4. AMG and its racing partner, HWA, might enter the GT4 in a few races this year as a final shakedown test.
The cost for an AMG GT4 has been set at €198,850 ($232,000 USD) minus tax. This car will go up against new GT4 entries from Ford, Chevrolet, McLaren, Porsche, and BMW in various series in the US and elsewhere.
It'll be interesting to see how AMG's 4.0-liter V8 fares in competition, as its relatively unproven in this environment. Perhaps the GT4's motor is a testbed for a future GT3 engine.
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