At the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the new Mercedes-AMG GT R was officially launched for the Malaysian and Singapore markets. 

Having spent most of its development time in the Green Hell of the Nurburgring race track, the new GT R, which is a road-going sports car packed with the latest motorsport technology, sits atop the Mercedes-AMG range. In the pursuit of offering the next level of driving performance, the GT R draws from the racing technologies found in its GT3 race car. It combines the driving dynamics of the GT3 racing car with the everyday practicality of the AMG GT. 

The GT R is powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivering 577bhp and 700Nm of torque to the rear wheels. The engine is mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which has modified hardware and software to make the transmission even more suitable for the race track. The car is also even more sensitive to steering inputs thanks to active rear-wheel steering, which is being used for the first time on a Mercedes-AMG model. 

The suspension of the new AMG high-performance sports model is also systematically designed for race track use - a new AMG coilover suspension was designed specifically for the AMG GT R. The wishbones, steering knuckles and hub carriers on the front and rear axle are manufactured entirely out of forged aluminium in order to reduce the unsprung masses. And like in professional motorsport, drivers can select their personal set-up and infinitely adjust the spring pre-load manually

Additionally, wider front and rear wings allow an increased track width for optimum grip and even higher cornering speeds. The new front fascia also has an active air management system that allows the optimal balance of lift and downforce in all operating states, while the large rear aerofoil and the new rear fascia with double diffuser enhance aerodynamic efficiency and help ensure optimum grip.

The GT R also features several racing-derived technologies, including the new AMG Traction Control system, which comes directly from motorsport. It allows drivers to pre-select the slip on the driven rear axle in nine levels. Just like in the current AMG GT3, it isolates the grip on the driven wheels and does not affect the stabilisation provided by the ESP. Control is via a special rotary switch located in the centre console below the ventilation outlets.

The Race Start function is now also even more impressive thanks to the increased starting revs, the more sensitive wheel slip control and the sports tyres fit for the racetrack. The lightweight forged wheels shod with cup tyres as standard are likewise designed for maximum driving dynamics.

The GT R's design also reflects its intense character and unique standing. The new AMG Panamericana grille's characteristic form with vertical fins celebrated its world premiere on the GT3 customer-sport racing car and now, for the first time, is featured on an AMG production vehicle.To give the driver of the new AMG GT R ideal conditions in which to drive, the interior is also strongly inspired by motorsport. Extremely light, manually adjustable AMG sports bucket seats upholstered in nappa leather and Dinamica microfibre come as standard. They offer the necessary lateral support even in extreme driving manoeuvres.

The specially developed exhaust system, with a large hexagonal, tailpipe tip centre in the rear fascia, not only delivers genuine racing car sound, but also saves around 6kg of weight compared with the AMG GT S thanks to the use of titanium for the rear silencer and thin-walled stainless steel for the front section of the exhaust system. 

The new Mercedes-AMG GT R is now available in Singapore, and is only available on an indent basis.