Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

With lessons learned from racing, Mercedes-AMG takes GT R sports car to next level

By
Add as a preferred source on Google

Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro teaserMercedes-AMG just can’t stop tweaking its GT sports car. The two-seater is already available in a variety of strengths ranging from the base model up to the track-devouring GT R, not to mention a couple of racing versions. But Mercedes is preparing an even more aggressive variant, dubbed the GT R Pro, which will debut at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The limited-edition GT R Pro will be more track-focused than any previous AMG GT model, which means it should be an absolute beast. Mercedes isn’t offering many other details beyond that, only noting that the GT R Pro was developed using lessons learned from the AMG GT3 and GT4 race cars. We wouldn’t surprised to see some weight reduction and additional power from the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, which makes 577 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque in the non-Pro AMG GT R.

Recommended Videos

The entire Mercedes-AMG GT lineup is slated for a minor styling refresh as well. Mercedes said the sports car will get interior and exterior styling tweaks that tie it closer to the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. While both cars wear the “AMG GT” name, the two cars are not directly related mechanically.

The existence of a seemingly never-ending array of AMG GT variants is typical of Mercedes and its German competition. Along with Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and (to a lesser extent) Porsche now have sprawling lineups full of every possible permutation of body style, engine, and level of sportiness. Customers can’t seem to get enough of these cars, and the automakers are happy to deliver.

In addition to the unveiling of the Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV will make its North American debut in L.A. It may not be as exciting as the GT R Pro, but the GLE is relevant to more people. The SUV sports twin 12.3-inch display screens that carve an impressive swath across the dashboard, and an electronic suspension system that actively counters body roll, pitch, and squat. The GLE will launch with the 3.0-liter inline-six that debuted in the CLS, but a plug-in hybrid and AMG performance version are expected as well.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen Edelstein
Former Contributing Editor
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Topics
Waymo wants your next robotaxi ride to feel less like a taxi and more like your living room
Your next Waymo ride could come with Gemini as your travel companion
Adult, Female, Person

Waymo is giving its robotaxis one of its biggest passenger-facing upgrades yet, bringing Google's Gemini AI assistant into the cabin alongside a redesigned in-car interface that reimagines how riders interact with autonomous vehicles. Both features will debut in the Ojai, Waymo's purpose-built robotaxi, as the company prepares to expand access to more public riders. Rather than changing how the vehicle drives, the update focuses on what passengers can do once they're inside, signalling that the next phase of the robotaxi race may be fought on experience rather than autonomy.

For years, autonomous vehicle companies have competed on sensors, safety records and driverless capabilities. Waymo now appears confident enough in those foundations to shift attention toward the cabin itself, treating the journey as a product rather than simply a trip from one location to another.

Read more
Two Indian automakers just beat Tesla at the one thing you’d expect it to own
Two Indian automakers, Tata Motors and Mahindra, just topped a global EV efficiency ranking ahead of Tesla and BYD.
Car, Suv, Transportation

I'll admit, Tesla topping an efficiency ranking felt like a foregone conclusion until I actually saw the numbers. Turns out two Indian automakers just embarrassed both Tesla and the world's biggest EV maker at their own game. 

The first time I read the report, I couldn’t believe it, and I’ve been following the Indian automobile industry for a couple of years now.  

Read more
BYD’s new Racco is Japan’s first electric kei car with over 300 km range
The Racco also undercuts Nissan's Sakura on price before taxes and incentives, which packing in features rarely seen in the kei car segment.
BYD Racco

BYD has entered the Japanese kei car market with the Racco, an electric car built specifically for the country's compact car segment. Its top trim delivers 320 km of range, making it the first compact electric car in the market to pass 300 km, according to ITHome.

Kei cars are a Japanese vehicle class with strict size and power limits, and the segment has long been dominated by domestic automakers such as Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, and Daihatsu. The Racco is BYD's first attempt to compete in that space.

Read more