Benz taking orders for race-ready SLS
The SLS AMG GT3 is the three-pointed star's wunder weapon for the 2011 seasonMercedes-Benz has announced Euro pricing of €334,000 (before tax) for the GT3 version of the SLS AMG 'Gullwing'.
The LHD-only competition model has been developed for private customers keen to compete in sprint and endurance events under the auspices of the FIA's GT3 category.
"The Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 marks the beginning of a new era in Mercedes-Benz customer motorsport," says Mercedes-Benz motorsport chief Norbert Haug.
"This is an exciting and spectacular sports car for dedicated private teams and talented private drivers. AMG will work together with our tried-and-trusted sports and touring car partner HWA to put in place a motorsport customer department which will guarantee its motorsport customers hallmark Mercedes service."
The SLS AMG GT3 will have its first taste of competitive motorsport at the infamous Nordschleife (North Loop) of the Nurburgring around the end of September.
Under the eagle eye of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), the GT3 model's dry-sumped 6.2-litre V8 will be tuned for its peak power in line with the Federation's 'Balance of Performance' principle. This is a means of establishing performance parity between cars of different make and specification. Mercedes-Benz and AMG expect this process to be concluded during the second quarter of next year.
The SLS AMG GT3 will go to war with a six-speed competition transmission featuring shift paddles, plus a multi-disc locker diff and traction control. Steering turns through a quicker-ratio rack and the car's anti-lock brakes have been calibrated for racing. Integrated jacks are built into the underside of the car to facilitate faster wheel changes.
Inside, the SLS AMG GT3 boasts a carbonfibre safety shell to protect the driver in the event of an accident. For the same reason the driver's seat is fitted with a six-point safety harness and HANS (Head and Neck Support) system. Benz and AMG claim that with a 120-litre carbonfibre safety tank and an optimised fire extinguisher system, the car improves on the inherent safety of any other vehicle currently in GT3 competition.
Bernd Schneider -- a DTM champion five times over -- and reigning Porsche Carrera Cup champ Thomas Jager have been testing the car at the Lausitz Eurospeedway since June.
"The SLS AMG has excellent genes for being successful in motor racing," says Schneider.
"Even on my first fast laps... it was obvious that the GT3 version of the gullwing model has just what it takes to be a big hit on the racetrack. The combination of optimum weight distribution, a low centre of gravity, a powerful AMG V8 engine and efficient aerodynamics already indicates that the SLS AMG GT3 will be very competitive."
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