► Just 30 will be made
► Up to 819bhp
► Top speed of 199mph
You’re looking at the most extreme version of the AMG GT you can buy – the new AMG GT2 Edition W16. As you can probably tell from the name – and the paint job – this variant of the AMG GT promises to be the most performant yet, and it’s bustling with F1 technology as a result. Featuring Push to Pass, DRS and active aero, it also makes up to 830hp, making it the most powerful Mercedes-AMG customer racing car of all time.
As you’d expect, it’s going to be super-limited with just 30 units made – but customers will also get other benefits thrown in. According to Mercedes, the track car will be delivered to customers at exclusive Europe-based circuit events – and will even include a meet and great with members of the F1 team. Tea with Toto, anyone?
The GT2 Edition W16 doesn’t compete in any racing series, which means the power it can make is only limited just by what’s under the bonnet. To that end the GT2 keeps the same 4.0-litre biturbo lump as the normal car, but here Affalterbach has added new turbochargers and electronics to push power up to 697bhp. Use the F1-derived Push2Pass button and power raises to 819bhp and 738 ft lbs of torque.
It’s all mated to a six-speed sequential box with carbonfibre torque tube, while the suspension has been overhauled with four-way adjustable shock absorbers. The stabilisers on the front and rear axles are also now adjustable.
As you’d expect from a car that pins itself to Formula 1, the GT2 also has some interesting aero features. There are active louvres on the front wheels, a bigger front diffuser and even the exterior mirrors and spoiler lip have been tweaked to improve performance through the air. Most interesting of all, though, is a new Drag Reduction System (DRS) which means on straights the GT2 can dump downforce and drag for a top speed of 199mph. This can work with Push2Pass, or independently.
Being a track car, Mercedes has also focused on safety. The GT2 gets a carbonfibre safety cell along with a five-point harness, safety nets and a fire extinguisher making it read for track days. At the same time, racing ABS and multi-adjustable traction control should make it easier to keep on the track in the first place.
In addition to the tech tweaks, the GT2 also wears a paintjob that riffs on the current f1 car livery. It’ll also benefit from input by Mercedes’ new, young superstar Kimi Antonelli. The Italian rookie is the ‘patron’ of this car and has signed the door sills and will likely be involved in the car handover too. You’ll also get to wear a similar racing suit and helmet to him if you buy the car – though you can presumably pick a more realistic size.
Curtis Moldrich is CAR magazine’s Digital Editor and has worked for the brand for the past five years. He’s responsible for online strategy, including CAR’s website, social media channels such as X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, and helps on wider platform strategy as CAR magazine branches out on to Apple News+ and more.
By Curtis Moldrich
CAR's Digital Editor, F1 and sim-racing enthusiast. Partial to clever tech and sports bikes