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Everything You Need to Know about the 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R

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The 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R will be released in the summer of 2017 and will come with significantly more power than the current Mercedes-AMG GT S

The all-new Mercedes-AMG GT R is set to be released in Summer 2017, but pricing information is still not available

When it comes to premium sports cars, Chevrolet offers the Corvette Z06, Porsche has the 911 GT3 RS, and now Mercedes answers the competition with the all-new GT R two-door coupe.

The new Mercedes-AMG GT R will be powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that provides 577 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. That’s an increase of 74 horsepower and 73 lb-ft of torque compared to what’s offered in the current Mercedes-AMG GT S. This added power was made possible via updated turbochargers, enhanced software, and a newly designed exhaust system.

That 577-horsepower V8 motor works with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in order to send power to the rear wheels. Mercedes says the GT R can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.5 seconds and can hit a top speed of 198 mph.

Testing for the Mercedes-AMG GT R was done at the famous Nürburgring racing complex in Germany, which if you didn’t already know, goes by the nickname the “Green Hell.” In fact, that German racetrack is what inspired the new eye-catching exterior color option that can be seen in the pictures below, which is called AMG Green Hell Mango.

“With the new AMG GT R, we have reached the next level of driving performance,” said Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. “Those with gasoline in their veins will be thrilled by the radical longitudinal and lateral acceleration, the precise turn-in and the sensational grip. We have modified all performance-relevant components and linked them together intelligently for maximum driving dynamics.”

The new GT R also features a rear-wheel-steering system. This new steering technology can turn the GT R’s rear wheels is the opposite direction of the front tires at speeds of 62 mph and under in order to provide greater nimbleness while cornering. At speeds greater than 62 mph, the rear wheels will turn in the same direction as the front tires.

The exterior of this new Mercedes coupe is also loaded with many eye-catching features, highlighted by the new AMG Panamericana grille. There are 15 chrome-plated vertical fins featured in this mammoth grille and below it are vast air intakes that help increase performance even further. The rear of the vehicle comes with a large fixed wing, while additional visual highlights include 20-inch light alloy wheels in the back and 19-inch lightweight rims up front.

Mercedes made the decision to use large steel brakes as a standard feature, but consumers can upgrade to carbon ceramic disk brakes if they are willing to dish out a bit more cash.

The new Mercedes-AMG GT R won’t become available until the summer of 2017 when it will be released as a 2018 model. However, while Mercedes enthusiasts will have to wait until next year to purchase the new GT R, they’ll be able to see it in the upcoming Transformers: The Last Knight film. The director of the flick, Michael Bay, recently tweeted a picture a red GT R that will be used to portray the character of “Drift.”

Pricing for the 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R has still yet to be released.