If you unleash this tuned Mercedes, make sure your life insurance is paid up

By Stephen Edelstein Published January 25, 2018

With 515 horsepower on tap, the Mercedes-AMG GT S makes for a pretty lively driving experience. Mercedes even built its own factory hot rod version, the GT R, with 577 hp and numerous aerodynamic and chassis upgrades. But even that’s not enough for some people.

German tuner IMSA (not to be confused with the U.S. motor sports body of the same name) created a truly monstrous version of Mercedes’ sports car. Its RXR One Super Gran Turismo boasts a staggering 848 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, taking the AMG GT S well into supercar territory.

Recommended Videos

The RXR One Super Gran Turismo uses the same 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 as the stock AMG GT S, but IMSA extensively modified the engine. The V8 now features forged pistons, modified turbochargers, and a new air intake and intercooler, among other changes. The stock seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle was also upgraded to handle the extra power, and the car was fitted with a roll cage. That’s probably a good idea when you’re playing with over 800 hp.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

The exterior is the perfect match for the nuclear weapon under the hood. IMSA’s body kit seems to borrow heavily from the Mercedes-AMG GT3 race car, and gives the RXR One Super Gran Turismo a properly aggressive look. The front bumper, hood, trunk lid, and rear spoiler are all carbon fiber. The car is also equipped with racing-style center-lock wheels, sized 12×20 inches in front and 12.5 x 21 inches in the rear.

IMSA claims the RXR One Super Gran Turismo weighs less than 2,866 pounds, making it about 761 pounds lighter than a stock AMG GT S. That gives the tuner car an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 654 hp per ton. IMSA did not publish any performance figures, but we imagine the RXR One Super Gran Turismo will beat its stock counterpart’s 3.7-second 0 to 60 mph time by a significant margin.

IMSA plans to build a limited run of the RXR One Super Gran Turismo, although the company did not say exactly how many cars it plans to make, or how much they will cost. Anyone thinking of buying one of these monster Mercedes should factor a generous budget for tires and life insurance into the final cost, though.

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Faraday Future could unveil lowest-priced EV yet at CES 2025

Faraday Future FF 91

Given existing tariffs and what’s in store from the Trump administration, you’d be forgiven for thinking the global race toward lower electric vehicle (EV) prices will not reach U.S. shores in 2025.

After all, Chinese manufacturers, who sell the least expensive EVs globally, have shelved plans to enter the U.S. market after 100% tariffs were imposed on China-made EVs in September.

Cars

Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs. Tesla Model Y: Does electric SUV beat the bestselling EV?

Hyundai Ioniq 9 driving

The long-awaited Hyundai Ioniq 9 is finally on the way, after months of waiting for what many hope will be a true competitor to the Kia EV9. The electric SUV is likely to be one of the go-to options for those who want a larger EV at a lower price than the likes of the Rivian R1S. But, while it's larger than the Tesla Model Y, it's also likely to be a little more expensive.

The two vehicles are a bit different when it comes to things like performance, range, and charging. Is the Hyundai Ioniq 9 worth the extra cash, or should you go for the cheaper, yet smaller car? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The overall designs of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Tesla Model Y are pretty different, and that may be enough to sway your buying decision. The Ioniq 9 is a true SUV; it's big and boxy, and while it looks a little sleeker than some SUVs thanks to its curved roofline, it's clearly larger than the Tesla Model Y. At the front of the Ioniq 9 is a long light bar separated into pixel-like blocks that helps give the vehicle a unique design motif. At the rear of the Ioniq 9, you'll also find pixel lights curving around the sides and top of the trunk. The Ioniq 9 measures 199.2 inches long, 78 inches wide, and 70.5 inches high.

Cars

Volvo EX90 vs Tesla Model Y: Is Tesla’s cheaper EV also better?

2025 Volvo EX90 front quarter view.

The Volvo EX90 is finally here. The all-electric Volvo SUV was first unveiled a few years ago, but after some delays, the sleek Scandinavian vehicle is now available for order. As an electric SUV, it will go up against the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9. However, it will also have to compete with the most popular electric vehicle out there: the Tesla Model Y.

There are some clear differences between the two vehicles. While the Volvo EX90 is noticeably larger, the Tesla Model Y is significantly cheaper. Should you spend the extra cash for Volvo’s electric SUV, or should you opt for the Tesla?
Design
Perhaps the most obvious difference between the two vehicles lies in their design. The EX90 is more of a traditional SUV, featuring a big, boxy build that’s larger than the arguably crossover-sized Tesla Model Y. Beyond basic dimensions, however, there are plenty of other design differences. For instance, the Volvo EX90 has a more traditional appearance compared to the Model Y, which, despite being on the market for some time, remains relatively unique when compared to vehicles from other manufacturers. That’s not to say the EX90 looks dated — on the contrary, it’s sleek and stylish, showcasing Volvo’s signature design.