Mercedes-AMG GT R the "new benchmark"

Wider, lower, lighter, boasting active aerodynamics and clever rear-wheel steering tech, the new Mercedes-AMG GT R "is the new benchmark for street legal sports cars".

That's the claim from Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers, who was at the car's launch in the UK along with motoring.com.au and F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton (pictured together).

Airlifted in via a cargo container, the new AMG GT R will "absolutely" beat the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, regarded as one of the world's most potent road-legal race cars, insists the AMG supremo.

Arriving in Australia in July 2017 for around $350,000, the GT R pumps 430kW and 700Nm through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, the rear-drive AMG ripping from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds then on to a top speed of 318km/h.

Moers says the car goes like hell and was born in the "Green Hell" of the Nurburgring.

"What does that mean? The GT R carries the genes of our GT 3 race car; we spent hundreds of hours on that race track in order to find the perfect setup."

So how fast will it go around the infamous 20km-plus Nurburgring? Moers hinted a 7:20 lap time was on the cards.

"Regardless of its street legal configuration the GT R is a real beast," he says. "It's getting low seven minute laps… It's good. To be honest we have to break with 7:20.

"Sooner or later we're going to make [the lap time public]. But there's no need now because we still have to do some work on it. For now it's pretty fast."

Moers later explains the fine-tuning of the AMG GT R is ongoing until production begins in September, so the lap time won't be released until closer to that time when the car's balance is tighter than a Brexit vote.

"We are running to production in September. I drive it every second week on the race track and it's unbelievable. Over the schwedenkreuz (Swedish Cross corner) on the Nurburgring, it's so bloody fast. You hang out the tail at 220km/h and it stays put. The rear axle steering is so fantastic. It's unbelievable!"

Mercedes-AMG's 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine is quickly becoming a giant-killer for the brand but Moers says there's still plenty of scope to ramp up power.

"In the base engine yes, for sure [we can make more power]. We're going to use the 4.0-litre V8 in the E 63 as well. With a different turbo and intercoolers it's a higher output, it moves up over 600hp (440kW) then," he explains.

"We are also expanding the AMG GT line, this includes more street legal variants soon to come as well as an additional race car below the GT3 segment. Based on the new GT R, we will build a competitive GT4. The price level will competitive," the AMG chief reveals.

We already brought you confirmation of the AMG GT Black from the 2016 Geneva motor show in March, and Moers reiterated his commitment to the car, confirming he'll be driving a test mule GT Black next week.

"We shouldn't get rid of Black series. We're collecting ideas all the time. To be honest, in a week I'm going to drive the first idea, but I cannot talk in more detail about it now."

And in case you're wondering, the Nissan GT-R lawyers haven't called… Yet.

Moers dismisses any copyright infringements over the AMG GT R name, and says it's all in the fine-print: "We have the AMG GT R. It depends how you write it. They write it with a dash."

So there was no thought for a different name?

"No, our intention was always the R," he says.

If that's the case, can we expect more 'R' models in future, perhaps a Mercedes-Benz C 63 R?

"Good idea!" grined the debonair petrol head.