‘Throttle House’ Reviews a Swivel-Eyed Mercedes-AMG GT R Track Day Weapon

By Erik Sherman - January 2, 2026

Throttle House reviewed a Mercedes-AMG GT R– and concluded that it’s a budget-friendly GT3.

Thomas and James at Throttle House get their hands on some spectacular cars. This is no exception. It might, however, be one of the rarer chapters in Mercedes-AMG performance. Oh, and they assert that it’s a “deal.” It’s a 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R, a snarling, track-focused version of Mercedes-AMG’s long-nosed performance coupe.

And it ticks nearly every box of a truly nasty, premium-badged track day weapon. Under the low, long hood, Mercedes-AMG installed a twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8 producing 577 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. It also features a wider front and rear track, utilizes space-age weight-saving materials throughout, and incorporates aero treatments.

Throttle House Reviews a Swivel-Eyed Mercedes-AMG GT R Track Day Weapon

Bargain?

Here’s the kicker: Thomas and James maintain that this is a steal for the money. “This is a bargain now,” the team concluded after assessing the car post-depreciation. A glance at the most recent sale of the AMG GT R confirms that much. Though MSRP for the coupe was $157,995, this one sold for roundabouts $200,000 when it was new in 2018. More recently, mind you, the thing sold for $106,000.

That’s near as makes no difference half of its original price. When you take the stratospheric costs of pre-owned Porsche 911s into account, Thomas and James might just be right when they call this Mercedes-AMG super coupe a “deal.” “This is similar in philosophy to a GT3, maybe a GT3 RS,” Thomas said. All in all, the crew concluded that “this is an undervalued car right now.”

Throttle House Reviews a Swivel-Eyed Mercedes-AMG GT R Track Day Weapon

Not One for the Road

Before you sell a kidney to make a 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R your next daily driver, the Throttle House duo did have some reservations. Most notably, they complained about the AMG GT R’s road manners. It’s aggressive, with a nearly track width that shrinks most roads. What’s more, the team described the AMG GT R as having a “spine-crushing ride.” It’s that stiff. They also pointed out that the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires on this example multiplied road noise. More emphasis on the “R” and less on the “GT” in the name.