Discussion
I've taken the plunge and bought a lightly used Mercedes AMG GTR PRO to join my Porsche 991.1 GT3RS. The cars are intended predominately for track days of which there will be many in 2021 (covid permitting). Joe Macari were great to deal with and I even bumped into Indy racing legend Dario Franchitti, who happened to be at the dealership on the day I viewed the car.
What are the differences between the PRO and a standards AMG GTR? Well, as standard, trick adjustable suspension, cage, ceramic brakes and a load of carbon aero addenda. I'll go into more detail on another post.
This will be my first Mercedes so I'm looking forward to a new experience. Let's see how it all works out...
What are the differences between the PRO and a standards AMG GTR? Well, as standard, trick adjustable suspension, cage, ceramic brakes and a load of carbon aero addenda. I'll go into more detail on another post.
This will be my first Mercedes so I'm looking forward to a new experience. Let's see how it all works out...
Smiljan said:
That's a beauty, it's made me feel old though Dario Franchitti used to do the brake pad reviews in Max Power when he was starting his career all those years ago!
He's had one hell of a career since then!
I had never met him before, though I've always heard good things. He was extremely friendly and showed interest in the Mercedes, which he didn't have to. He even posed for a photo in front of the car with me without a second thought. Motorsport royalty and top man! He's had one hell of a career since then!
If you're interested to know more about the AMG GTR PRO then this short video shows EVO magazine's Henry Catchpole explaining the key differences with the standard car before taking it out on track in Germany...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oaj20A9gjA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oaj20A9gjA
Podie said:
Ooh, that looks interesting. What was the fit and finish like?
The track-only version has received fantastic reviews so there’s no doubting it’s performance capabilities, but a road version has to achieve that plus a level of fit and finish and reliability far and above something designed only for circuit use. At the moment it looks a little “iffy” but it is a test mule so that’s to be expected. I’ll reserve judgement until the finished product is ready. It’s also c. £1m so slightly out of my price range! Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro specification (Autocar)
Units sold worldwide: c. 750
Engine V8: 3982cc, twin-turbocharged, petrol
Power: 577bhp at 6250rpm
Torque: 516lb ft at 2100-5500rpm
Gearbox: 7-spd dual-clutch automatic
Kerb weight: 1575kg
Top speed: 198mph
0-62mph: 3.6sec
Fuel economy: 22.1-22.2mpg [Hmmmmm...]
Vehicle description (EVO magazine)
'At the heart of the Pro’s offering are four manually adjustable coilovers, offering pre-load, rebound and compression settings, the latter for low and high speed. Obviously, that means there’s no longer a button on the centre console to adjust the damping, rather any changes have to be done crouched next to the car. It’s joined by a carbonfibre adjustable anti-roll bar on the front axle (an adjustable steel bar is at the rear), while the GT R’s uniball spherical joints on the lower rear wishbones are used on the upper wishbones, too. A carbonfibre shear panel adds rigidity to the structure by bracing the body underneath, while the GT R’s dynamic engine and transmission mounts have been re-tuned to suit the Pro’s more track-focused brief.
The Pro package continues with the fitment of the Track Pack and ceramic brakes as standard, both options on the regular GT R, the former bringing an extensive roll-cage, a four-point harness and a fire extinguisher. The forged wheels are finished in titanium grey, while the roof panel is now also carbonfibre also and features a truncated middle section: the AMG carbonfibre package is also standard equipment, and the total weight saving in fact is 14kg over the regular GT R. That doesn’t sound like much, granted, but take into account that the cage of the Track Pack puts some kilos back into the car, so a like-for-like comparison would show a greater difference.
The other major change with the Pro is its increased aerodynamic performance. Louvres slashed into the front wings extract air from the front wheel arches, thereby cancelling lift, and the larger front splitter that juts out from the nose is complemented by dive planes attached to the front corners of the car. A vertical blade behind the rear wheel arches helps channel the air aftwards, while the rear wing has an additional gurney flap for increased downforce and now sits on milled alloy supports. It’s not as though the GT R was a weak-looking car anyway, but the Pro definitely has an even more purposeful air to it.
Finally, all AMG GT’s now benefit from the latest Mercedes cockpit design and technology - a fully digital instrument binacle with a 12.3” screen, complemented by a 10.25” multimedia display in the centre console. You can choose from three different layouts for the ‘dials’, and it’s almost endlessly configurable via switches on the new steering wheel, along with further buttons on the GT’s broad centre console for adjusting the multi-stage dampers, the esp setup, the exhaust valves, and so on. There’s also now the rotary mode switch on the wheel, plus a pair of multi-configurable switches just off the rim, that can also adjust any of the aforementioned parameters. With AMG Dynamics, not only is there now Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Race and Individual overall driving modes, there is are also Basic, Advanced, Pro and Master settings that affect steering weight and the ESP setup'.
Units sold worldwide: c. 750
Engine V8: 3982cc, twin-turbocharged, petrol
Power: 577bhp at 6250rpm
Torque: 516lb ft at 2100-5500rpm
Gearbox: 7-spd dual-clutch automatic
Kerb weight: 1575kg
Top speed: 198mph
0-62mph: 3.6sec
Fuel economy: 22.1-22.2mpg [Hmmmmm...]
Vehicle description (EVO magazine)
'At the heart of the Pro’s offering are four manually adjustable coilovers, offering pre-load, rebound and compression settings, the latter for low and high speed. Obviously, that means there’s no longer a button on the centre console to adjust the damping, rather any changes have to be done crouched next to the car. It’s joined by a carbonfibre adjustable anti-roll bar on the front axle (an adjustable steel bar is at the rear), while the GT R’s uniball spherical joints on the lower rear wishbones are used on the upper wishbones, too. A carbonfibre shear panel adds rigidity to the structure by bracing the body underneath, while the GT R’s dynamic engine and transmission mounts have been re-tuned to suit the Pro’s more track-focused brief.
The Pro package continues with the fitment of the Track Pack and ceramic brakes as standard, both options on the regular GT R, the former bringing an extensive roll-cage, a four-point harness and a fire extinguisher. The forged wheels are finished in titanium grey, while the roof panel is now also carbonfibre also and features a truncated middle section: the AMG carbonfibre package is also standard equipment, and the total weight saving in fact is 14kg over the regular GT R. That doesn’t sound like much, granted, but take into account that the cage of the Track Pack puts some kilos back into the car, so a like-for-like comparison would show a greater difference.
The other major change with the Pro is its increased aerodynamic performance. Louvres slashed into the front wings extract air from the front wheel arches, thereby cancelling lift, and the larger front splitter that juts out from the nose is complemented by dive planes attached to the front corners of the car. A vertical blade behind the rear wheel arches helps channel the air aftwards, while the rear wing has an additional gurney flap for increased downforce and now sits on milled alloy supports. It’s not as though the GT R was a weak-looking car anyway, but the Pro definitely has an even more purposeful air to it.
Finally, all AMG GT’s now benefit from the latest Mercedes cockpit design and technology - a fully digital instrument binacle with a 12.3” screen, complemented by a 10.25” multimedia display in the centre console. You can choose from three different layouts for the ‘dials’, and it’s almost endlessly configurable via switches on the new steering wheel, along with further buttons on the GT’s broad centre console for adjusting the multi-stage dampers, the esp setup, the exhaust valves, and so on. There’s also now the rotary mode switch on the wheel, plus a pair of multi-configurable switches just off the rim, that can also adjust any of the aforementioned parameters. With AMG Dynamics, not only is there now Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Race and Individual overall driving modes, there is are also Basic, Advanced, Pro and Master settings that affect steering weight and the ESP setup'.
PGNSagaris said:
Beautiful looking car that AMG. Enjoy.
Are you at the DN day in May?
After 12 years of going to the Nurburgring once if not twice a year, every year, I'm going to give it a miss in 2021 - partly because of Covid and potential complications with that and partly because I'm keen to try some new UK circuits. I'll be back at the Green Hell in 2022 with this monster though, all being well!Are you at the DN day in May?
Given the AMG GT R Pro (along with my 991.1 GT3RS) will spend much of its time on track days this year, I thought I'd post my track day diary, in case any of you on this forum might be be down for some of the same.
APRIL
+ 23, Friday - Goodwood (circuit own day)
+ 26, Monday - Goodwood (circuit own day)
MAY
+ 14, Friday - Castle Combe (circuit own day)
+ 20, Thursday - Snetterton (Circuit Days)
JUNE
+ 4, Friday - Goodwood (circuit own day)
+ 17, Thursday - Castle Combe (Porsche Club)
JULY
+ 15, Thursday - Castle Combe (Porsche Club)
+ 25, Sunday - Anglesey (Circuit Days)
+ 26, Monday - Anglesey (Javelin)
AUGUST
+ 30, Monday - Croft (Circuit Days)
SEPTEMBER
+ 20, Monday - Snetterton (Javelin)
+ 24, Friday - Goodwood (circuit own day)
APRIL
+ 23, Friday - Goodwood (circuit own day)
+ 26, Monday - Goodwood (circuit own day)
MAY
+ 14, Friday - Castle Combe (circuit own day)
+ 20, Thursday - Snetterton (Circuit Days)
JUNE
+ 4, Friday - Goodwood (circuit own day)
+ 17, Thursday - Castle Combe (Porsche Club)
JULY
+ 15, Thursday - Castle Combe (Porsche Club)
+ 25, Sunday - Anglesey (Circuit Days)
+ 26, Monday - Anglesey (Javelin)
AUGUST
+ 30, Monday - Croft (Circuit Days)
SEPTEMBER
+ 20, Monday - Snetterton (Javelin)
+ 24, Friday - Goodwood (circuit own day)
Official harnesses and fire extinguisher have now been fitted to the AMG in light of the car's intended use. Rather frustratingly you can't have the harnesses fitted with the standard seat belts so it's one or the other, unlike my GT3RS where either can be used. Still, it's a minor inconvenience all told.
bolidemichael said:
I work round the corner from Joe's place and it's a pleasure to witness the rotation of super(b) cars.
Did you have a ganders at the two Dallara that are currently in the showroom? Oddly, just one is on their website.
It's a special place indeed. Yes, I saw two Dallaras there - a baby blue one which I believe Adrian Newey has been using on track days, and a lovely green one (pictured) which is Joe Macari's own. There aren't enough green cars in the world! Did you have a ganders at the two Dallara that are currently in the showroom? Oddly, just one is on their website.
Arun_D said:
Congrats on the GTR-Pro, Benny. I'm also new to the world of AMG, with a W204 C63 Estate joining the Exige Cup recently.
Alas, I won't be going to the 'ring this year, either (concentrating on saving for race budget), but myself and a few other Lotus buddies will be at the same Snetterton data as yourself at the end of May. Looking forward to seeing the new car!
Hi ArunAlas, I won't be going to the 'ring this year, either (concentrating on saving for race budget), but myself and a few other Lotus buddies will be at the same Snetterton data as yourself at the end of May. Looking forward to seeing the new car!
A C63 Estate and Exige Cup is a pretty awesome combo, big thumbs up. It will be great to meet up at Snet in May. I will drive up the night before since I'm in deepest Surrey. I'll be in the RS so I'll have to show off the AMG another time! I've not been to Snet before so I might be following you for the day
Ben
Julian Thompson said:
Some great days there and congratulations on the new car it looks wonderful.
Have you considered W2R for your track days? They look after the cars for you too, can take them to the events and leave you to just turn up and enjoy with no drivers briefings and stuff. Highly recommended - I did it last year, will be doing it again this year and for one membership fee get access to an even wider spread of events than you mention.
No affiliation other than being a happy customer.
In any event, I hope you have an amazing season and very well done for taking the cars on track. I really need to copy you and find the courage to do the same with some of my more coveted cars. In the end you’re probably right - they’re at their best on track!
Thanks, that's very kind of you - please feel free to ping me a DM if you like. I'm also on Insta: @baronbennyt. I probably won't be in a position to look at anything in addition to my pre-booked track days this year - I'm already skating on thin ice with the family - but it's always good to hear of something new and exciting. Have you considered W2R for your track days? They look after the cars for you too, can take them to the events and leave you to just turn up and enjoy with no drivers briefings and stuff. Highly recommended - I did it last year, will be doing it again this year and for one membership fee get access to an even wider spread of events than you mention.
No affiliation other than being a happy customer.
In any event, I hope you have an amazing season and very well done for taking the cars on track. I really need to copy you and find the courage to do the same with some of my more coveted cars. In the end you’re probably right - they’re at their best on track!
The official Mercedes harnesses and a fire extinguisher (hope to never use it but better to have it than not) have now been fitted to the AMG. Rather annoyingly the fitment of the harnesses has meant I've lost the use of the standard belts. In my GT3 RS either can be used. Since the car will be used predominantly for track days I'll have to suffer with the inconvenience on the road [hashtag firstworldproblems].
Lord_Howit_Hertz said:
Whens collection day Benny?
Small world, but whilst day dreaming last week about a Euro millions win, I saved this very car on my AT search as a daydreaming 'if only'
Many congrats, looks the absolute nuts!
I collect the GT R Pro on 1st March then put it straight into storage until Easter (the calm before the storm). I have a lot planned for it post-lockdown! Small world, but whilst day dreaming last week about a Euro millions win, I saved this very car on my AT search as a daydreaming 'if only'
Many congrats, looks the absolute nuts!
TuxMan said:
Bit disappointing about the removal of the std seat belts !!
Looks stunning !
The normal seat belts are still there but are unbolted from the seat and sit in a pouch behind the seat. Still frustrating they can't be used in tandem with the harness but at least they can be switched easily enough if it comes to it. Since the car will spend a good deal of its time driving to and from track days I decided to go with the official harnesses. Looks stunning !
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