Tuesday 18th October 2016

Dime Racing AMG GT

What to do when a 585hp AMG GT R isn't enough? Get an American race team to give you 745!

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Aftermarket tuning will always be viewed with some kind of scepticism, what with concerns around longevity, the manufacturer warranty and whatnot. But when a modified product is being sold through the manufacturer main dealers, this arguably lends the car a great deal more credibility.

Just the 235hp more than standard...

That's the case with this Dime Racing Edition AMG GT, which will sold at "select Mercedes AMG dealers throughout the US." So in addition to the kudos of being modified by a successful AMG Customer Sports team, buying one is no more difficult - if you're in the right area - than a standard car. Sounds rather tempting.

Especially when it has 745hp. Yep, that is what's being claimed by Dime Racing for this AMG GT S-derived car, though with frustratingly little detail. We're told it features an "upgraded" engine, from which you would have to assume the turbos, breathing and fuelling have received some significant work. On top of that the car features suspensions, aero, wheels and cooling with input from the race team. So that's a very good road car given a thorough overhaul by a race team - who doesn't like the sound of that?

It's not even that costly, the Dime Racing Edition's "around $150,200" price only $20,000 dollars more than a standard AMG GT S in the US. And you get a personalised watch thrown in too. Dime Racing says it will make 100 per year, all featuring a "bumper-to-bumper" warranty and with the first few already having been reserved. Looks like this 'hot-V' AMG V8 could get quite a reputation for itself...

 

[smilo996]

All that to improve the 0-65mph time for Mericans.

[Arsecati]

Damn, I wonder how much it would cost me to have them come over with the parts and do the mods to my own car - or would they be able to modify it if I shipped it over?

Oh wait, I don't actually own an AMG GT.

Ahhhh yeah, I forgot about this 'real world' thing....... damn having to wake up from my little dreamworld!!!!!!

[SirSquidalot]

Awesome! Bet this thing can ruin its rear tires in a few seconds

[j90gta]

"Dime gives you a carbon fiber aero package–including a front splitter, the grille, side skirts, diffuser and a massive wing–as well as upgraded cooling, adjustable suspension, a lightweight exhaust and sticky Pirellis. Oh, and a V8 with better turbos and a new ECU for a total output of 745 horsepower and 731 ft.-lb. of torque.
Since this a track-focused road car, the front splitter is easily removable and cheap to replace, while your additional extras included a full road cage, race radio, a fire extinguisher system and drinking bottle integration.
Dime will also throw in a car cover and a Växjö watch from former Formula1 driver (and Le Mans winner) Stefan Johansson, plus season tickets to Pirelli World Challenge."

All the above for just $20,000!!

[Bencolem]

smilo996 said:

All that to improve the 0-65mph time for Mericans.

You haven't been to America have you...

[SirSquidalot]

j90gta said:

"Dime gives you a carbon fiber aero package–including a front splitter, the grille, side skirts, diffuser and a massive wing–as well as upgraded cooling, adjustable suspension, a lightweight exhaust and sticky Pirellis. Oh, and a V8 with better turbos and a new ECU for a total output of 745 horsepower and 731 ft.-lb. of torque.
Since this a track-focused road car, the front splitter is easily removable and cheap to replace, while your additional extras included a full road cage, race radio, a fire extinguisher system and drinking bottle integration.
Dime will also throw in a car cover and a Växjö watch from former Formula1 driver (and Le Mans winner) Stefan Johansson, plus season tickets to Pirelli World Challenge."

All the above for just $20,000!!

Makes some BMW special editions look hilarious in terms of pricing!

[Gandahar]

With the warranty this is a no brainer for the US folk. 750bhp is cool but on the other hand Brabus are doing 800 plus in an S class. Or E class, or XYZ class.

It's all irrelevant nowdays in the UK, the roads are so bad and Autummn is finally here, so best aftermarket trinket for 750bhp would be a traction control display on the dashboard that does multiple colours and can play jingle bells through the speakers too when you get it out of shape and slide off.

[j90gta]

j90gta said:

"
Dime will also throw in a Växjö watch from former Formula1 driver (and Le Mans winner) Stefan Johansson"

I think the watches start at $7,500 so that leaves $12,500 to be spent on the upgrades. Will someone please explain the man-maths involved here!!

[Krikkit]

Must be a pricing error, Shirley?

[SturdyHSV]

j90gta said:

I think the watches start at $7,500 so that leaves $12,500 to be spent on the upgrades. Will someone please explain the man-maths involved here!!

As they're backed by Merc, perhaps they get the 'base' GT S at a cut down rate, maybe 10k off list if not more, and as it's getting the Vaxjo name about, they probably get the watches at a good rate as well, perhaps 5k if not less, Vaxjo may even donate them from their marketing budget...

So freeing up the money to pay for the carbon bits. If they're already making very similar carbon fibre bits for their race cars perhaps tooling costs were low, same with the exhaust and turbos / tuning. Then instead of doing as the Germans do and pulling down Uncle Sam's pants, they're pricing things at a reasonable profit instead of a laughably huge one?

Or, you know, it's a typo. But here's hoping!

[hondansx]

Unlike the UK, dealers don't have to sell at list. The popular, special edition cars (such as the Viper ACR) are actually far more expensive than they look if you want to be one of the first owners.

Despite that, this Mercedes seems exceptional value - and with a full warranty! Amazing. I guess the closest we get to that is a Mountune Fiesta

[Mustang302]

They start with the AMG GT , not the GTS which is cheaper and starts at $111,000 MSRP

[zeDuffMan]

Absolutely no videos of it on YouTube Looks mega though.

[James Junior]

I was fortunate enough to have a passenger ride in an AMG GT-S over 50 miles on some cracking roads from John O Groats to Tongue recently. The car itself had been breathed on to give it 620bhp. Naturally it was pretty rapid, with a lovely interior and awesome soundtrack. Would be interesting to see how successfuly these tweaks transform (or not) the car into a track car however, as on the road it seemed quite heavy and rambunctious, more of a muscle car than a composed sports car.

The experience left me really wanting one, though they are well out of my league at the moment. The lines especially around the rear are stunning and they have a lot of presence out on the road.

[Deisel Weisel]

James Junior said:

rambunctious

Where has this word been hiding all my life?! Shmee (without a c), you MUST add this to your pothole of superlatives!