The New Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro Is An Angry V8 Aero-Fest

The new 'Pro' version of the GT R has sharpened-up suspension and improved aero, but power remains the same
The New Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro Is An Angry V8 Aero-Fest

I’ve been fortunate enough to drive a Mercedes-AMG GT R a few times now, and at no point did I think “Hmmm, do you know what? This is a little too soft.”

It’s a genuine Porsche 911 GT3 RS rival, a description that can probably only be given to a group of cars you can count on one hand. It’s uncompromising and utterly hardcore, and yet, Mercedes has felt the need to tweak and improve it further, resulting in the new GT R Pro.

The New Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro Is An Angry V8 Aero-Fest

The limited-edition model sits above the ‘regular’ GT R in the range rather than replacing it, and the power output from its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 is identical at 577bhp. The suspension certainly isn’t the same, though: there are new dampers that allow you to adjust the compression, rebound and spring preload length, a carbonfibre adjustable anti-roll bar at the front, and more wear-resistant “Uniball spherical bearings” on the rear upper wishbones, in addition to the ones that were already used for the lower wishbones.

The clever active engine and transmission mounts - which tighten up when you’re driving hard - have been fiddled with, and the Track Package, optional on the GT R, is fitted as standard here. It includes a four-point harness, a half cage, and a fire extinguisher. Unless you live in the US, Canada or China, in which case you can’t have any of those track day bits. Boo.

Sportier seats and the Track Package are both fitted as standard to the AMG GTR Pro
Sportier seats and the Track Package are both fitted as standard to the…

The aero side of the equation has undergone some changes, too. We have a new front apron with a significantly extended splitter and canards either side, while the wings have gained louvres that reduce lift at the front axle. Those carbonfibre fins at the rear - which sprout from the diffuser - are new too, and finally, the front wing has been tweaked.

All of this makes a much faster car on track - Mercedes has already managed to squeeze a 7:04.632 Nurburgring lap out of it. That’s over six seconds faster than the GT R, despite being set on a day with a tyre-unfriendly 12-degree ambient temperature. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the car come back next year to try and crack the seven-minute mark.

The New Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro Is An Angry V8 Aero-Fest

The Pro isn’t the only new AMG GT Mercedes has rolled out for the world to see at the LA Auto Show. The whole range has been updated, with the most significant changes to be found inside. All cars now have the same customisable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as the AMG GT 4-Door, along with the newer 10.25-inch central infotainment display.

The New Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro Is An Angry V8 Aero-Fest

The range has also pilfered the GT 4-Door’s steering wheel, along with the fancy TFT buttons on the wheel and the centre console to change things like the ESP settings and the chassis modes. On the subject of the latter, the GT’s have been fettled and renamed as Basic, Advanced and Pro, with a Master mode available on all models bar the base GT.

The New Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro Is An Angry V8 Aero-Fest

Changes to the outside are more subtle. The LED front and rear headlights are new, while the GT, GT S and GT C all have a black diffuser insert. Rounding off the changes are a smattering of new colour and wheel options.

The refreshed range is on display at the LA Auto Show from today onwards.

Comments

DL🏁

Loving the timing, chose the same autoshow and revealed just after the 992… trying to steal the show! Cheeky ;)

11/28/2018 - 20:05 |
14 | 2
SirJamjaxIsGoingAgain-PeaceOutChaps

In reply to by DL🏁

Emphasis on the word “trying”. The 992 is honestly the star of the show.

11/28/2018 - 20:13 |
40 | 2
BenPaye(JDMSquad)(MX5Squad)(LFAsquad)(Subie Squad) (Rotary F

and Shmee has already bought one

11/28/2018 - 20:06 |
6 | 0

He’ll buy anything new.

11/29/2018 - 02:01 |
0 | 0

He actually did

11/29/2018 - 07:46 |
0 | 0
GTRTURTLE 🔰 🐢(Oo \ S K Y L I N E / oO) (Koen

I saw new and GT-R and thought it was the R36 GT-R

Probably not going to happen for another 10 years

11/28/2018 - 20:06 |
46 | 2

Longer probably at this rate

11/29/2018 - 04:04 |
0 | 0

Which will come first? Gta6 or a new gtr

11/29/2018 - 07:51 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

Amazing!

11/28/2018 - 20:06 |
0 | 0
Raptor867

Yes

11/28/2018 - 20:26 |
0 | 0
Jakob

I get it, it’s functional, but the huge air vents and the rear wing really ruin the look of the AMG GT. The “normal” version with its clean lines looks so much better IMO.

11/28/2018 - 20:35 |
2 | 2
A Car Guy

In reply to by Jakob

I honestly prefer the look of the more aggressive GTR over the base GT, but if you look at it as a sports/luxury car then the base model, GT S and GT C models fit the breif better. The GT R turns it more into an extreme supercar than a sports or luxury car. I do really like the GT S though, especially in yellow.

11/28/2018 - 21:08 |
6 | 2
Anonymous

Why does the picture show the car with last generation window switches.

11/28/2018 - 21:43 |
0 | 0
G Wates

Honestly dissapointing, just feels lazy tbh and the rear wing looks awful even compared to the standard GT-R. The only positive for this car is the interior upgrade.

11/28/2018 - 22:48 |
0 | 0

Just wait for the Black Series

11/30/2018 - 03:07 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

The more I look at this car the more beautiful it becomes

11/29/2018 - 00:18 |
0 | 0
HairyGuy

Lets hope they dont f#ck up the deliviries like the GT R itself.

11/29/2018 - 07:18 |
0 | 0

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