Photo: Mercedes-AMG / modified
The GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport is what Mercedes-AMG calls the ultimate naturally aspirated GT3 variant. Only 13 of these vehicles will be built by the mad professors from Affalterbach. Let's start with the retail price of €1,030,000 excluding VAT, which is a ridiculous amount compared to the road-going GT.
That's only about $1,136,245 at today's exchange rates. If you live in Germany, add 19 percent more to the advertised price for value added tax and the grand total is 1,277,200 million euros or $1,408,945. Crazy money for a crazy track car, okay!
Moving on, let's talk about its name. Motorsport needs no explanation, but 130Y does, because it celebrates 130 years of motorsports. Paris-Rouen in 1894 is considered the cradle of motorsports, even if there was no Mercedes-Benz, AMGor Maybach as they called it at the time. After the merger of the respective companies Daimler and Benz, the very first Mercedes-Benz vehicles came out in 1926.
Edition obviously refers to a limited number of models, while GT3 is a set of regulations maintained by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. Now that we're done with this guy's name, let's move on to the 6.2-liter V8 hiding under that hood.
While the road-going GT uses a twin-turbo V8 with a displacement of 4.0 liters to avoid China's progressive tax thresholds, the GT3 relies on a free-breathing 6.2 for reliability and ease of use. The M156 is AMG's name for the big-boy V8, which was marketed as the 63 on production vehicles to commemorate the M100 that debuted in the W100 600 Grosser series. The motorsports-specific version of the M156 is dubbed the M159. In addition to the AMG GT3, the SLS AMG GT3 also uses the venerable M159.
Photo: Mercedes-AMG
The non-homologated GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport distinguishes itself from the homologated model in a number of ways, starting with the removal of the air restrictor and a modified exhaust. Also of note are the modified gear ratios, with the GT3 using a six-speed sequential transmission rather than the GT's dual-clutch box. The first-generation GT, that is, because the second-generation uses the AMG multi-clutch automatic transmission.
Revised aerodynamics are much obliged to provide 15 percent more downforce than the GT3, with said elements including the aerodynamic diffuser at the rear, the underbody, the side skirts, the front fender vents and the front splitter. Inspired by Formula 1 and the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, the special edition model also boasts a drag reduction system. The engagement of DRS allows for a top speed of over 196 miles per hour, which is 315 kilometers per hour for those who prefer the metric system.
The GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport is further distinguished from the GT3 by its carbon brakes in place of the steel rotors required in GT3 racing. With an estimated 671 horsepower at 7,250 rpm and 538 pound-feet (730 Nm) at 5,250 rpm, this no-nonsense thrill machine recently lapped Australia’s Mount Panorama faster than any GT race car before it. With Jules Gounon at the wheel, the GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport broke the GT Mount Panorama record by 2.704 seconds.
Visually inspired by the W194–series 300 SL endurance racer designed by the one and only Rudolf Uhlenhaut, the car you are looking at is, without a doubt, special. The delivery will be special in itself, because the above-mentioned retail price includes a delivery package consisting of a custom racing suit, shoes, gloves and underwear from Puma. A custom helmet, a custom bag, a 1:8 scale model, a car cover and a certificate of authenticity complete the list.
