Mercedes SLS GT3 - new pics

These are the first pictures of the Mercedes SLS GT3 racing car, which will be sold to customers for the 2011 season.

The racer will use the same 6.3-litre V8 as the road car, but tuned to produce around 600bhp, according to what race organisers deem acceptable. It is linked to a six-speed racing gearbox with steering wheel mounted paddles, and an integrated multi-disc locking differential. It will also be significantly lighter than the road car.

See pictures of the Mercedes SLS GT3

Changes from the road car are chiefly aerodynamic. The GT3 racer sports a new front bumper with a splitter, the bonnet with a central cooling air vent and wider front and rear wings. There are also cooling vents in the side wheel arches and the sideskirts.

The underbody is now smooth, and a rear diffuser is fitted, as is an adjustable rear aerofoil. The C-pillars accommodate the standardised filler pipes for the fast-refuel system.

The car has double-wishbone suspension of forged aluminium at the front and rear. The springs and shock absorbers, the suspension height, the stabilisers, the track width and camber are all adjustable. Rack-and-pinion steering with a more direct ratio and speed-sensitive servo assistance improve handling. The brakes have also been uprated for racing.

"This exciting GT3 version is our response to strong customer demand for a car designed for these attractive motor sports series," said Volker Mornhinweg, chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

The stripped out interior has been modified for racing.

Pricing hasn't been announced. For comparison the BMW Z4 GT3 costs 300,000 euros (£270,000).

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