Mercedes-AMG will expand its customer racing programme for 2023 with the addition of a new GT2 specification car – the Mercedes-AMG GT2.
The brand dipped its toe in the water of GT2 racing earlier this year when its AMG GT Track Series model made its track debut in the Fanatec GT2 European Series round at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Since then, Mercedes-AMG has further developed the concept, successfully creating the fully homologated Mercedes-AMG GT2, which will be offered to customers ready-to-race for the 2023 season.
Mercedes-AMG join GT2 offerings from Audi, Porsche, KTM, Lamborghini and Brabham, while the Maserati MC20 GT2 is also set to join in 2023.
With 707bhp from its four-litre Biturbo V8 AMG engine, the Mercedes-AMG GT2 exceeds the AMG GT3 level of straight-line performance.
GT2 though is designed to offer more accessible levels of aero performance, putting the emphasis of the package on enjoyment for a non-Pro driver.
Despite that the aerodynamics of the GT2 have seen the front-end receiving a raft of tweaks aimed at improving efficiency, such as the special air outlet in the carbon bonnet and louvres integrated into the carbon wings. There is an all-new rear wing design, featuring a multi-adjustable single-plane surface held in place by a characteristic swan-neck mount. The AMG GT2 also features a new central wheel mounting system, allowing for even faster and more reliable tyre changes during pit stops.
Inside, Mercedes-AMG’s digital dash unit has been further improved. The fully programmable dashboard system has a high-resolution graphic display and has been designed for intuitive and easy operation. Drivers will also benefit from racing-specific support systems, such as multi-adjustable traction control and ABS.
The GT2’s aluminium spaceframe chassis incorporates a carbon fibre safety cell and steel roll cage, as well as the latest in driver protection technology such as customisable ergonomic seat foaming, safety nets, roof-mounted extraction hatch, carbon fuel tank and a powerful motorsport fire extinguisher system.
Sales of the new Mercedes-AMG GT2 will start during the course of the 2023 Fanatec GT2 European Series season.
Christoph Sagemüller, head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, said: “The Mercedes-AMG GT2 is yet another milestone in our Customer Racing programme. Thus, we emphasise once more our commitment to GT racing and further expand our involvement by entering a new segment in GT racing. The GT3 segment having become more and more professional and GT4 having become established as an entry-level category, we open up new opportunities with the Mercedes-AMG GT2. As a result, we address an extended range of customers and therefore offer the high quality and the comprehensive support of our Customer Racing programme to interested parties in the GT2 segment as well. The race series for this category of vehicles have seen significant increase of reach and relevance in the past two years. In this dynamically growing market, we come up with the Mercedes-AMG GT2 as a highly attractive package and once again prove the performance potential of our brand.”
Stefan Wendl, head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing, said: “The Mercedes-AMG GT2 incorporates our entire experience we have acquired over the past years in our successful Customer Racing activities. Next to proven GT3 and GT4 features, however, we have also integrated entirely new racing technologies, specially developed for the GT2. The result is the most powerful homologated race car we have built to date. The Mercedes-AMG GT2 is entering a new range of speed! Moreover, we have achieved that gentlemen drivers who don’t race every weekend can control this enormous power in a commanding and safe way all the time. I am really happy that we can now offer a top-notch product along with our maximum support activities for the customer teams in this burgeoning segment as well.”
Stéphane Ratel, founder of the SRO Motorsports Group and the GT2 concept, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Mercedes-AMG to the rapidly growing ranks of GT2. As GT3 has developed over the years, the cars have become ever more precise racing tools and the level of competition has grown exponentially. While that’s a wonderful success, the amateur drivers the formula was built on risk being left behind, and this is why we introduced GT2… to put the amateur drivers back into the heart of top-flight, high-powered GT cars. To have a brand like Mercedes-AMG on the grid will only make GT2 stronger, and I’m very excited to see what the new Mercedes-AMG GT2 can do next year and beyond.”
