| like there will be another Mad Mercedes is on the way. | | | | differential. As in the standard SLS AMG, the |
| But only for GT racing. Coinciding with the official | | | | transmission is located at the rear axle: the engine and |
| market launch of the road going AMG SLS on 27 | | | | transmission are connected by a torque tube within |
| March 2010 Mercedes-AMG has showcased the SLS | | | | which a carbon-fibre shaft rotates at the engine |
| AMG GT3 for FIA GT3 Racing teams to consider. | | | | speed, as in the road going version. The car is rumored |
| The SLS AMG GT3 is designed as a racing car for | | | | to have around 600bhp (up from 571bhp) from a |
| customers competing in sprints and long-distance | | | | 6.3-litre V8, and 130kgs (stock was 1620kg) lighter from |
| races. These race series for near-series GT cars are | | | | the road version, the FIA will determine the maximum |
| noted for their very varied participants and great | | | | output of the front-mid engine dry sumped 6.3-litre V8 |
| excitement. Not least because of their comparatively | | | | on the "Balance of Performance" principle. This is |
| favorable cost structure, they are enjoying increasing | | | | intended to ensure that all the racing cars taking part |
| worldwide popularity. Oh yes, favorable for those | | | | have an equal chance. The classification process, |
| racing Aston Martins, Maseratis and Ferraris in those | | | | during which the kerb weight is also determined, will be |
| GT races most popular in the United States and in | | | | completed in 2010. |
| Europe. How favorable it is for any small time South | | | | The wheels are located by a double-wishbone |
| East Asian motor racing team is questionable but that's | | | | suspension of forged aluminum at the front and rear. |
| what they say in the write-up. | | | | Adjustment facilities for the springs and shock |
| The SLS AMG GT3 is developed and produced by | | | | absorbers, the suspension height, the stabilizers, the |
| AMG in cooperation with HWA AG. HWA is | | | | track width and camber allow an individual setup for |
| responsible for the DTM racing team on behalf of | | | | the racetrack. Rack-and-pinion steering with a more |
| Mercedes-Benz Motorsports. The HWA team is one | | | | direct ratio and speed-sensitive servo assistance |
| of the most successful in international motor sports, | | | | make for extremely agile handling. Behind the |
| winning nine driver championships in the DTM and ITC, | | | | central-locking AMG light-alloy wheels, a composite |
| as well as two championship titles in the FIA GT | | | | steel racing braking system with racing ABS ensures |
| Championships. | | | | outstanding deceleration. There will be a traction |
| The new SLS AMG GT3 is as per the road going | | | | control system as well as a brake bias system that is |
| version but with a ridiculous GT wing (which is so loved | | | | fully adjustable by the driver from inside the cabin. |
| many Nissan GTR owners that we seem to see | | | | Sales of these customer cars are expected to |
| parked along major performance tuning hubs around | | | | commence in autumn 2010, and homologation of the |
| town). The main focus when modifying the body of | | | | GT3 variant will be completed in time for the 2011 |
| the SLS was on aerodynamic performance. There is | | | | racing season. |
| a new front apron with a splitter, a bonnet with its | | | | The only problem with this car is that like the road |
| central cooling air vent and the wider front and rear | | | | version, is the gullwing doors. If it flips on its roof during |
| wings. There is also the side wheel arch air vents, the | | | | a race, the gullwings cannot open when it is upside |
| sideskirts with cooling ducts for the rear brakes, the | | | | down. Mercedes circumvents this little problem by |
| smooth underbody with a rear diffuser and the huge | | | | having a sensor that will trigger a small explosive |
| adjustable rear wing as stated earlier. All these | | | | charge to destroy the hinges so that the doors can be |
| features ensure a low drag coefficient and maximum | | | | pulled or pushed open by the driver or by rescuers. |
| downforce while guaranteeing effective cooling of all | | | | This is the small price to pay for so much style, |
| highly stressed components. The C-pillars | | | | racecar or not. Then again, you'd have this same |
| accommodate the standardized filler pipes for the | | | | problem with those Lamborghini scissors style doors |
| fast-refuel system. | | | | too. Again, if it is FIA approved to race, it must be safe |
| Power transmission in the GT3 variant is by a | | | | enough to race and safe enough to use on a daily |
| sequential six-speed racing transmission with steering | | | | basis too. |
| wheel shift paddles and an integrated multi-disc locking | | | | |