Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 45th Anniversary

Mercedes-Benz has trotted out its SLS AMG GT3 45th Anniversary car. The hard-charging 420kW track-only model that is "aimed at car collectors with a particular penchant for motor racing," says the Affalterbach-based performance car company.

Just five of these SLS AMG Gullwing vehicles will be built, making it one of the rarest AMGs ever built. Priced at 446,250 Euros ($562,000) each, it’s only 12,000 Euros more than the regular 334,000 Euros ($421,000) SLS GT3 race car. But don't expect to see one of them in Australia.

"The SLS AMG GT3 is a purpose built race car available only in LHD and purchased direct from AMG," said Jerry Stamoulis, Manager, Corporate Communications at Mercedes-Benz Australia, when asked if we might see one in an Australian garage.

Commemorating the 45th anniversary of the Mercedes-AMG partnership, the left-hand-drive-only GT3 car is finished in Designo Magno Graphite matt paint, which has only been used once before, on the SL 65 AMG 45th Anniversary which was shown New York International Auto Show in April 2012.

Matching Designo Magno Graphite AMG light-alloy wheels are also fitted to the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 special edition racer, as are a number of other light-weight components. Car collectors will also note the 6.2-litre dry-sump V8 engine is signed and installed by DTM touring car champion and AMG brand ambassador Bernd Schneider, who was also one of the main test drivers of the SLS AMG GT3.

The engine is unchanged from the road-going version of the Gullwing car, a 6.2-litre V8 outputting 420kW/650Nm, the GT3 45th Anniversary's performance improved via the adoption of lightweight body shell materials.

The German race car's bonnet, doors, front splitter, rear diffuser, front and rear aprons and rear wing are all constructed from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). The interior features a race-spec roll cage and cabin has a matt carbon fibre finish.

Acceleration times for Affalterbach's rare race car are rapid. Zero to 100km/h is dealt with in 3.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 300km/h.

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 is currently raced in the Australian GT Championship, fielded by Erebus racing, the same team that will be contesting the V8 Supercars Championship with a Mercedes E-Class in 2013.