AMG GT R Pro Makes Blazing Debut at 2018 L.A. Auto Show
All-new Benz will dominate any track with its improved aero package and revised suspension system.
One of the big surprises from the first day of the 2018 Los Angeles International Auto Show is the 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R Pro. Following in the footsteps of the original GT R, the Pro package sticks with the same power levels, but with new improved front and rear aerodynamics and a race-ready suspension setup, this car offers significantly better performance than the non-Pro version.
How much better, you ask? Well, the “regular” GT R lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:10.92. The GT R Pro did it in 7:04.6, better than six seconds quicker without adding any power.
Here is a look at what makes the 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R Pro so much quicker than the original.
Exterior Upgrades
On the outside, the unique aspects of the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R Pro begin up front, where engineers have added dive planes, a larger front splitter and a set of vents over the wheels. The combination of the splitter, the dive planes and the front tire vents help to reduce front end lift, sharpening turn-in and improving grip in the corners compared to the standard GT R.
Out back, the AMG GT R Pro features a new carbon fiber spoiler with milled aluminum supports and a new Gurney flap, helping to create more downforce at high speeds. The rear end also benefits from addition carbon fiber aero bits behind the rear wheels which extend down under the rear fascia where they connect with the diffuser.
Performance Enhancements
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R Pro is powered by the same 4.0-liter, twin turbo V8 that comes in the regular GT R, sending 577 horsepower towards the rear wheels by means of a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox. Every other aspect of the Pro car’s performance has been enhanced.
The carbon ceramic brakes that are optional on the regular GT R is standard on the Pro, as is a set of lightweight wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
More importantly, the GT R Pro is equipped with a similar suspension setup to that system used on the GT4 race cars. This system features manual adjustments for spring preload length, damper rebound and both high- and low-speed compression, with knobs on the top of the coilover assembly removing the need for tools to make suspension adjustments on the fly. There is also a carbon fiber front sway bar, a hollow steel rear sway bar and rigid spherical bearings in the upper and lower control arms rather than rubber bushings.
Price and Availability
We don’t know how much the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R Pro will cost, nor do we know when it will reach showrooms, but we know that the company only plans to build 750 examples for the world.
With that in mind, we can expect an already-expensive car to cost even more, but as the most track-capable AMG machine, we have no doubt that Mercedes will sell every unit without a problem.
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