If you’ve got a spare $349,000 laying around (plus dealer delivery and on-roads), then you could buy a Mercedes-AMG GT R (from July) and know you’re in the fastest production car to ever cut a lap around Bathurst.
Making its Australian debut, the AMG GT R smashed the 6.2km circuit in just 2 minutes 16.5 seconds during a manufacturer demonstration session, ahead of the 2017 LiquiMoly Bathurst 12 Hour Race. This is a dramatic improvement on the previous time held by a Mercedes-AMG GT S, at 2min 24.03sec from 2015.
By comparison, the Supercars lap record around Bathurst was set last year by David Reynolds at a time of 2 minutes, 6 seconds. Given the millions of dollars spent on the development of those vehicles, while the AMG GT R price tag is steep, its impressive that a production car is just 10.5 seconds slower around the mountain. Its a car that ships with warranty and inherent reliability, but make no mistake, you’re buying a race car that’s somehow legal for the roads.
The AMG GT R packs a twin-turbo V8 engine making 430 kW and 700 Nm, capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds and with a top speed of 318km/h. There’s wider front and rear wings than the Mercedes-AMG GT for optimum grip and higher cornering speeds.
Also new is a new front apron with active elements, large rear aero-foil and new rear apron with double diffuser enhance aerodynamic efficiency and help ensure optimum grip. Other new features include active rear wheel steering, nine-way adjustable traction control system and adjustable coil-over suspension with additional electronic control.
Mercedes-AMG factory driver Bernd Schneider is the driver responsible for the new record and said,
“I love the GT R. I knew it would be a fast car, but it really feels at home here at Mount Panorama,”
Watch the lap record being set in the video below, captured in 360 degrees so you can pick which window to look out.
Not content with just one record, a Mercedes-AMG C 63 S sedan set the fastest lap ever for a production car sedan around Mount Panorama with a time of 2min 29.7sec. You’ll see a couple of these over the #b12hr weekend as 2x AMG C 63 S sedans are used for safety cars during the LiquiMoly Bathurst 12 Hour race tomorrow.
“The AMG C 63 S is so comfortable and easy to drive on the road, once you hit the racetrack it’s like it sees red and turns into a monster.”
