"The GT R is a high-performance variant of the Mercedes-AMG GT and was introduced at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2016. The M178 engine in this variant is tuned to an output of 577bhp and with 516 lb ft of torque. The GT R accelerates from 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds with a top speed of 198 mph. While the GT R retains the key mechanical differences the GT C gains over the GT S, it also gains manually adjustable Coilover springs, an active underbody fairing, a manually adjustable rear wing, and a nine-mode AMG Traction Control system. When it was launched, the GT R had several cosmetic changes compared with the standard car, notably the vertical slats in the front grille, an adjustable rear wing, new front air intakes and new front and rear diffusers. The styling of the GT R is more comparable to that of the AMG GT3 race car. For the 2018 Formula One World Championship, the GT R became the official Formula 1 safety car and during the 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix, the safety car ran a red livery rather than the traditional silver to commemorate Scuderia Ferrari's 1,000th Grand Prix start. For the 2021 F1 season, the GT R Safety Car permanently wore a red livery rather than the traditional silver to increase the chances of drivers seeing the Safety Car in poor visibility and shared the role with the Aston Martin Vantage.
The GT R completed a lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife track in 7:10.92, in a test conducted by German magazine Sport Auto making it the fifth fastest lap time for a road-legal production vehicle around the track at the time.
This example of the GT3 RS crushing GT R is presented in matte grey with contrasting black alloy wheels and boasts the uprated race seats to what is a fabulously plush cockpit given the incredible potential of this car under the bonnet. The 4.0 litre twin turbo V8 engine sounds incredible on start-up and being mounted so far back it is referred to as a front mid-engine example. With the gearbox over the rear puts the majority of the weight over the rear wheel drive axles producing a fabulously balanced car.
Having covered a mere 25,770 miles, in August this year this example received it most recent Mercedes-Benz dealer service this coupled to a full main dealer service history found within the original book pack and with two sets of keys. This car was driven for the Historics ‘Driving in Cars’ series found on the Historics Auctions YouTube channel and Historics ambassador and auctioneer Vicki Butler-Henderson can testify to the incredible performance level with or without the traction control system engaged.
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