Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 and Mercedes 300 SEL 6.8 AMG – Video

Mercedes SLS AMG GT3

The SLS GT3’s lightweight, forged aluminum control-arm suspension is fully adjustable for track, camber, and ride height, as well as for damper compression and rebound. The GT3 comes with forged aluminum, center-lock 18-inch wheels wrapped in racing slicks. It also features motorsport-spec steel brake discs with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers (the SLS road car’s optional carbon-ceramic brakes are outlawed in GT3-class racing).

The weight and power of the GT3 have yet to be finalized because AMG engineers are waiting for the FIA to publish definitive figures in its 2011 rulebook; in GT3 racing, the FIA tries to equalize performance throughout the field via the use of engine-air restrictors and/or ballast to keep power-to-weight ratios fairly close among the different manufacturers. According to AMG, however, the 6.2-liter V-8 will likely make 600 horsepower—up from a stock 563—and the car will weigh just less than 3000 pounds, considerably lighter than the 3748-pound street version. A six-speed automated manual replaces the road car’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

 

 

Mercedes 300 SEL 6.8 AMG

After increasing the SEL’s displacement to 6,835cc, Melcher set about tinkering with engine internals the old knuckle-busting way — new camshafts, rocker arms, piston heads, intakes, exhaust, anything that could make more power was bolted in. It was proper hot rodding stuff. What they ended up with was an unprecedented 428 horsepower and 448 lb-ft of twist.