Mercedes-Benz offers the SLS AMG GT3 for racers

"The Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 marks the beginning of a new era in Mercedes-Benz customer motorsport," said Mercedes-Benz's motorsport chief, Norbert Haug. "This is an exciting and spectacular sports car for dedicated private teams and talented private drivers. AMG will work together with our tried-and-trusted sports and touring car partner HWA to put in place a motorsport customer department which will guarantee its motorsport customers hallmark Mercedes service."

The car is built by AMG in collaboration with HWA, who is also in charge of Mercedes-Benz's DTM race cars, and the SLS AMG GT3 uses a specially prepared 6.3-litre V8 engine with a sequential six-speed racing transmission with steering wheel shift paddles. Mercedes-Benz has also given the SLS AMG GT3 a series of upgrades in order to make the car race-ready, and these include a steel racing braking system with re-calibrated ABS, a roll cage, a 120-litre CFRP safety tank and a fire extinguisher.

Mercedes-Benz says that the car can be entered in any FIA-sanctioned GT3 racing series, including the FIA GT3 European Championship, the ADAC GT-Masters and the endurance championship organized by the VLN, as well as the famous 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Buyers who order the car now will receive them in time for the start of the 2011 racing season next February.