Flags at half mast, black armbands on, and look out for the smoke signals from tortured tyres: this is the last Mercedes-AMG to feature the 6,208cc V8. The AMG GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport was another Monterey debutant, a little lost in a million Porsches each apparently more special than the last and Lamborghini’s first plug-in V8. Its significance shouldn’t be ignored, however, because the M156 - as the 6.2 was originally known - and its dry-sumped M159 relative were mighty, magnificent V8s. The very fact that AMG continued to race with it for a decade after it was retired from production car duty says it all, really. Even as other competitors switched to turbocharging. AMG didn’t need to change, and the 6.2-litre GTs continued to steal hearts and win trophies the world over. It’s going to be a long, hard goodbye, that’s for sure.
To mark its passing ahead of a new GT3 built from the latest AMG GT, the 130Y Motorsport Edition has been produced as the ultimate track day toy. It hasn’t been homologated for competition, even Lanzante would probably struggle to make it road legal, and yet you can almost guarantee all 13 examples were spoken for over the weekend. Even at a million euros each. It’s the last car that’ll ever be made with one of AMG’s most iconic engines. Arguably only the 7.3-litre V12 has a more hallowed rep. They won’t struggle to sell.
The V8 has been properly unleashed for this GT. No rules means no limits, basically, so with the usual air restrictor removed and a very special exhaust fitted, the 130Y is at 680hp. So that’s comfortably more than 100hp per litre from a 6.2, with peak power made at 7,250rpm. Torque is 538lb ft at 5,250rpm. And if ever a set of stats could sum up why the engine was so loved, they’re right here. There was torque because of the capacity, but a real thirst for revs as well. It was - it is - a fabulous engine. Power is channelled through a six-speed sequential in a transaxle; AMG says a new DRS system means the Motorsport Edition will hit 200mph.
Indeed the whole car has had a fairly thorough aerodynamic overhaul - this isn’t just a shoutier GT3. Downforce has been increased by 15 per cent thanks to a redesign of pretty much every body part air passes past, including the front splitter and wings, side skirts, rear diffuser and underbody. That newly DRS’d wing is now wider than the homologated race car to help the aero balance. AMG also says his 130Y car is ‘significantly lighter’ than a regular one at 1,275kg, thanks in part to fitting carbon discs that aren’t allowed in GT3 competition. The 390mm (front) and 355mm (rear) rotors sit behind 18-inch magnesium wheels.
Additional motorsport grade goodness includes four-way adjustable suspension, multi-stage traction control, a carbon safety cell that’s ‘connected to the chassis’ and a 120-litre fuel tank. Those that want to give this thing death will have all the tools at their disposal to do so. Those that want to keep it in the collection to admire, however, might be pleased to know that the look of this GT3 has been inspired by the W194 of 1952, the car that won the Carrera Panamericana then and raced at Le Mans. AMG says the interior harks back to Fangio’s 1955 SLR 300, with its headrest and door loops in brown leather, anodised buttons and walnut wood handles. Just ignore the Bosch DDU 10 data-logging dash for full retro vibes.
It’s going to be a spectacular thing, then, the GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport, hopefully a fitting farewell to a much loved engine and racing car. Christoph Sagemüller, Head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, said: "The unique Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport is the crowning glory of our current motorsport portfolio. Not only is it strictly limited to 13 units, it is also the last GT3 version with our iconic AMG 6.3-litre V8 naturally aspirated engine. With this exclusive edition, we are also showing what is possible outside of the official homologation and we have integrated a number of technical refinements and lightweight components. We are thus setting another milestone in our anniversary year and offering interested customers a product that is both technically and visually highly emotional." As well it should for €1,030,000; those on a more modest budget might be pleased to know that this glorious AMG engine is available in M156 form for just £13k, in an S-Class of all things. Indeed for £20k or less there are CLs, CLSes, C-Classes, E-Classes and SLs all with the 6.2. Mercedes certainly made the most of it while possible - it’ll be very sorely missed.
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