Green light for Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro

MERCEDES-BENZ Australia/Pacific has managed to secure 15 examples of the strictly limited – and previously thought to be off-limits – Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro coupe, setting its price at a hefty $453,200 plus on-road costs ahead of first deliveries in September.

Just 750 units of the most hardcore and focused version of the GT to date are being built worldwide, and as GoAuto reported in October last year at the updated series’ launch, the Australian operation had said the GT R Pro would not be available to this market after apparently selling out following its debut at the Los Angeles motor show in late 2018.

Eight months further down the track and a select few Mercedes-AMG enthusiasts now have the opportunity to own the sought-after track-focused super-sportscar, which carries a hefty $84,500 price premium over the ‘regular’ GT R (from $368,700) but adds a wealth of go-even-faster gadgetry and upgrades to extract every ounce of extra performance possible while still being useable on the road.

The GT flagship can also lap the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in 7:04.60 minutes – some six seconds faster than the already savage GT R.

Despite the extra outlay, the GT R Pro does not boast any extra firepower under the bonnet compared to its donor car – the 4.0-litre biturbo V8 produces the same 430kW/700Nm – meaning the additional performance comes courtesy of aerodynamic and under-skin modifications.

According to AMG, one of the biggest improvements was made in the suspension, which now features fully adjustable spring pre-load length and fully adjustable compression and rebound settings for the dampers.

In an added bonus given the model’s track focus, all of these adjustments can be made without tools.

The front (carbon-fibre) and rear (hollow-steel) torsion bars are also adjustable, while a carbon-fibre ‘shear panel’ adds rigidity to the rear of the coupe, further improving handling.

The GT R’s electronically controlled dynamic engine and transmission mounts have been retuned in the Pro to enhance driver feel and feedback, while the standard-fit Track Package adds a steel rollcage and two rear braces for even more stiffness.

Among the aerodynamic highlights, the front apron has been tweaked and fitted with carbon-fibre flics and a more aggressive front splitter, matched at the rear by a carbon wing and carbon-fibre aero elements stemming from the rear diffuser.

To keep things as light as possible, the GT R Pro’s roof, front splitter, rear diffuser and wing, side mirrors, door trims, door sills, bucket seats and centre console trim are all made of carbon-fibre, while the 20-inch AMG Performance wheels have been forged from lightweight alloy.

Behind the alloys hide lightweight, fade-resistant ceramic disc brakes.

Mercedes-Benz Aust/Pac is still to detail the full local specification of the GT R Pro, but has revealed some of the standard equipment will include Nappa leather and Dinamica upholstery, privacy glass for the rear windows, designo seatbelts in silver finish, retractable cargo area cover and an AMG indoor car cover.

Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific CEO and Mercedes-Benz Cars managing director Horst von Sanden said: “We are very pleased to have secured a limited quantity of the AMG GT R Pro for our Australian customers who want to take the already impressive AMG GT R to the next level in performance.”

2020 Mercedes-AMG GT pricing*