Mercedes-AMG GT3 Not For the Faint of Heart

Mercedes-AMG GT3 - "It's a monster," Bernd smiles. "This car is a beast."

Sweaty, emotionless and nursing a neck-ache, five-time DTM champion Bernd Schneider emerges from the cockpit of a prototype GT3 racing car with ominous feedback.

TG gets private audience with terrifying 500bhp ‘beast’. DTM hero Bernd Schneider is the lion tamer

TG gets private audience with terrifying 500bhp ‘beast’. DTM hero Bernd Schneider is the lion tamer

“I’m a bit hot,” the steady German quietly says. Poor guy. He’s just put his body through the ringer for five hours straight, strapped inside a cockpit with sub-optimal ventilation, doing difficult track work around a tight, unforgiving circuit in north-east Spain in a car without traction control. Add to that, a set of blazing hot side-exit exhausts that have been busy boiling underneath. Dante himself would be impressed by the trials Bernd has just went through, because though he might have walked through the seven circles of hell, he never had to contend with the Inferno of this new Mercedes-AMG GT3.

“It’s a monster,” Bernd smiles. “This car is a beast.”

TG gets private audience with terrifying 500bhp ‘beast’. DTM hero Bernd Schneider is the lion tamer

TG gets private audience with terrifying 500bhp ‘beast’. DTM hero Bernd Schneider is the lion tamer

Via: TopGear

Young Guns – Born to Win at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Mercedes-Benz will be on hand at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the largest motorised garden party in the world

Mercedes-Benz Classic is going to send several legendary racing cars to take part in the 1.86 kilometre (1.1 mile) Hillclimb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed as well as a Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman-Landaulet for a special exhibition on the occasion of this year’s Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The event is scheduled from June 28 – July 1, 2012 with the slogan “Young Guns – Born to Win”.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed in the south of England regards itself as the largest motorised garden party in the world – a unique summer weekend that brings together an impossibly heady mix of cars, stars and motor sport ‘royalty’ to create the largest car culture event in the world. Held in the immaculate grounds of Goodwood House, this annual hill-climb event is a true celebration of motor sport and all things automotive.

Breathtaking speed, power and style, visionary technology and awareness of history, but also elegance and luxury – these are the strengths of the Mercedes-Benz brand – and it is just these aspects which combine to give the car the fascination it exerts, year after year, on the roughly 150,000 enthusiastic fans visiting the Festival of Speed.

This year Mercedes-Benz Classic is entering legendary original cars in the race. The Mercedes-Benz W 125 which was constructed for the 1937 racing season is a reminder of the early successes of the “Silver Arrows”. As the ancestor of the SL-series, the 300 SL racing car (W 194) from 1952 marks the start of an era. In 2012, Mercedes-Benz Classic is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the SL. There will be two W 194 cars taking part in the Goodwood Hillclimb, including the oldest existing 300 SL with chassis number 2. In addition, a 1997 Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR with about 441 kW (600 hp) will be representing more recent motor sport history.

Mercedes-Benz Classic will also be presenting one other Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing car as a stationary exhibit at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. In addition, a Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman-Landaulet will be shown in a special exhibition for the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen was driven around in such a car – with a folding top over the back seats – during earlier visits to Germany.

As festival tradition demands, Mercedes-Benz racing cars will be driven on the Hillclimb at Goodwood by famous drivers; planned are Jackie and Paul Stewart, Klaus Ludwig, Jochen Mass, and Bernd Schneider.

From “wild young kids” to outstanding world stars

Ever since the early days of car racing now and again there have been successful newcomers in the pit lane and this year’s festival slogan “Young Guns – Born to Win” is in commemoration of their prowess. Time and again there have also been “wild young kids” at Mercedes-Benz who celebrated outstanding successes and turned into world stars almost overnight. In 1990, Michael Schumacher – who later won the Formula One World Championship seven times – was a member of the Mercedes Junior Team along with the others in his age group like Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Karl Wendlinger and the races they entered included the Le Mans race. Lewis Hamilton made his debut in the Formula One in 2007 and was runner-up in the world championships in the cockpit of the McLaren-Mercedes at first go. In the following year, the Briton was at that time the youngest Formula One World Champion ever.

The skill of the drivers plays an important role in the brand’s successful motor sport history. The numerous racing successes at Mercedes-Benz are, to a great extent, due to the untiring efforts of the engineers to find new solutions for the races. Only drivers with superior technology at their disposal will cross the finishing line as winners.

From art to the premier league in motor sport

The Festival of Speed was first held in 1993 and was invented by Charles Gordon-Lennox, Earl of March and Kinrara. The active and enthusiastic car racing fan and host at Goodwood is addressed as Lord March. The foundation stone for the festival was already laid by his grandfather, the then Earl of March and 9th Duke of Richmond. He was very well known in England as car designer, engineer and racing driver Freddie March. He organised the first private Hillclimb in the park of Goodwood House in 1936. His grandson revived this tradition more than 50 years later.

From its early beginnings in 1993, a festival has developed which is regarded as one of the absolute cultural highlights in the international automotive calendar. For three whole days, racing cars and sports cars from all eras play their symphony of speed along the route – and that also includes the premier league in motor sport. Some of the current Formula One teams have announced their participation at Goodwood for the 2012 festival. Since 2007, a 2.5 kilometre rally route for rally cars has supplemented the Hillclimb.

Strollers and automotive fascination

The Festival of Speed is not only a fascinating experience as a motor sport event; it is also an elegant promenade along automotive cultural highlights. From the pits, open to all visitors, to the car shows in the park grounds up to the automotive works of art which the British sculptor Gerry Judah creates anew every year. His temporary sculptures placed directly in front of Goodwood House always focus on one brand and its special vehicles. At the Festival of Speed in 2001 the theme was the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2012: The cars

Mercedes-Benz W 125, 1937

In 1937, Daimler-Benz introduced a completely new racing car. The W 125 was built according to the ideas of its constructor Rudolf Uhlenhaut, technical manager of the newly set-up racing department since mid 1936. The backbone of the car was a sturdy nickel-chrome-molybdenum steel frame with four cross members. The torsional strength of the vehicle without its engine increased to three times that of its predecessor, the W 25.

The W 125 was the first racing car from Daimler-Benz where the compressor was installed after the carburettor which meant that the final mixture was compressed. The “Silver Arrow” was fitted out differently depending on the racing circuit: tank capacity, carburettor, supercharger, tyres and rim size, tyre profile, and its overall dimensions varied from race to race.

The car’s premiere was on 9 May 1937 at the Tripoli Grand Prix. The whole season was extremely successful – Rudolf Caracciola, Hermann Lang, and Manfred von Brauchitsch drove from one prestigious victory to the next.

  • Construction year: 1937
  • Cylinders: R8
  • Cubic capacity: 5660 cc
  • Output: 441 kW (600 hp)
  • Top speed: over 300 km/h

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W 194), 1952

On 15 June 1951, the starting signal was given at Daimler-Benz for the construction of a three-litre sports car with an aluminium body. By March 1952, a prototype of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL – originally designed purely for racing – was presented to the press. It was the forerunner of the legendary 300 SL (W 198) which was presented in 1954 as the “gull wing” coupé.

The complex tubular frame construction of the 300 SL racing car did not originally allow the installation of conventional doors. Because of this, experimental engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut envisaged winged doors which, in the first prototypes, were only small entry hatches reaching down to the bottom edge of the side windows.

During its first ever race, the Mille Miglia in 1952, the 300 SL racing car achieved a noteworthy second place and a second vehicle came in fourth. In the same year, it celebrated a triple victory at the Bern Grand Prix for sports cars, a double victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a triple victory at the Great Jubilee Prize at the Nürburgring for sports cars as well as another double victory at the more than 3,000 kilometre long Carrera Panamericana in Mexico.

  • Construction year: 1952
  • Cylinders: R6
  • Cubic capacity: 2995cc
  • Output: 125 kW (170 hp)
  • Top speed: about 240 km/h

Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR, 1997

The Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR is a racing touring car which was developed especially by Daimler-Benz in cooperation with AMG for the FIA GT Championships founded in 1997. The CLK-GTR is fitted with state-of-the-art racing technology and a centrally located engine. The 12-cylinder, 6-litre engine has an output of 441 kW (600 hp). According to the FIA regulations, apart from engine, ignition and injection control, the racing cars are not allowed to have any electronic assistants such as anti-lock brakes (ABS), acceleration slip control (ASR) or an active suspension.

As a production line racing car in a batch of 25 licensed for road use, the CLK-GTR could also be purchased by interested customers with no racing ambitions. However, at the time the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR cost 3,074,000 German marks (roughly 1,571,711 Euros) and was the most expensive production run car in the world.

  • Construction year: 1997
  • Cylinders: V12
  • Cubic capacity: 5986 cc
  • Output: 441 kW (600 hp)
  • Top speed: 345 km/h

Mercedes-Benz 600 (W 100), 1963 to 1981

During her earlier visits to Germany and in accordance with her social standing, Queen Elizabeth II was driven around the country in a Mercedes-Benz 600 (W 100). This model – which had its premiere at the International Motor Show (IAA) in September 1963 – was a prestige vehicle par excellence. With its 6300 cc V8 injection engine giving a top performance of 184 kW (250 hp), automatic transmission and other special features, it is a state-of-the-art top-line model. The 600 model was available as a saloon, a Pullman saloon or as a Pullman landaulet. Even the standard fittings are luxurious: pneumatic suspension, power steering, electronic heating and ventilation system as well as hydraulically adjustable seats and backrests in the entire vehicle. Almost every special request made by the prominent customers is fulfilled, be it inside by fitting one or several minibars or a television, or outside by giving it an absolutely individual colour scheme: for the 600 model series, almost everything was available. This point, together with the total number of units manufactured, ensures that the vehicles remained absolutely exclusive: in the 18 years of the production run between 1963 and 1981, only 2677 cars were built.

  • Production period: 1963 to 1981
  • Cylinders: V8
  • Cubic capacity: 6332 cc (for tax reasons 6289 cc)
  • Output: 184 kW (250 hp)
  • Top speed: 205 km/h

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2012: Driver portraits

Jackie Stewart- Date of birth: 11 June 1939

The racing career of the triple Formula One World Champion John Young “Jackie” Stewart started in 1964 and from the very beginning he was extremely successful. After only one year he was already driving in the Formula One and then in 1969 came his first great triumph: he won the Formula One Championship driving for the Matra International team. In 1971, he won the cup a second time, and this was followed in 1973 for the third time, in both cases for the Elf Team Tyrrell. For over 14 years he held the record for the greatest number of Formula One victories with 27 wins and this was only broken in 1987 by Alain Prost. Time and again, Stewart also drove successfully in other racing series. He retired from active racing in 1973. Because of the frequent fatal accidents at that time, it is not surprising that Jackie Stewart was also one of the first to work hard for more safety in motor racing. In 1996, he founded the Team Stewart Grand Prix together with his son Paul Stewart; the team took part in Formula One racing from 1997 to 1999. At the end of 1999, the team was taken over by Ford and was run during the 2000 season under the name Jaguar Racing, and it continued finally from 2005 onwards under the name Red Bull Racing. In 1971, Jackie Stewart was honoured with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to his country.

Paul Stewart- Date of birth: 29 October 1965

Former Formula driver Paul Stewart, son of the triple Formula One champion Jackie Stewart, gained his early motor sport successes in the Formula Ford 2000. In 1988, he founded the Team Paul Stewart Racing and followed up his early successes by winning the British Formula Three championships in 1989 and 1990 and the Formula 3000 from 1991 to 1993. During this time, he was teammate to Marco Apicella in 1991, David Coulthard in 1992 and Gil de Ferran in 1993. After that, despite his great successes, he said farewell to his active career in motor sport and from 1994 on busied himself as manager of his team. Between 1992 and 1994 as well as 1996 to 2000, the team won eight Formula Three championships. In 1996, together with his father Jackie Stewart, he founded the Team Stewart Grand Prix which took part in the Formula One from 1997 to 1999. At the end of 1999, Ford took over the team which then continued in the 2000 season under the name Jaguar Racing, and then finally continued from 2005 on under the name Red Bull Racing .

Klaus Ludwig- Date of birth: 5 October 1949

Known to his fans as “King Ludwig”, Klaus Ludwig won the DTM championship three times. He was born in Bonn in 1949 and his career in motor sport began at the beginning of the 1970s with slalom racing, orientation racing and touring car racing. Among his first great successes were the titles won in the German Motor Racing Championships (DRM) in 1979 and 1981 as well as victories in the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1979, 1984 and 1985. Ludwig came to the German Touring Championship (DTM) in 1985 where he originally started as a works driver for Ford, winning his first title in 1988. In 1989, he changed over to the AMG-Mercedes team and in the following years until 1994 he won two championship titles (1992 and 1994, runner-up in 1991) and a total of 19 races. In 1995 and 1996, he drove in the International Touring Car Championships (ITC) for Opel’s Team Rosberg. Afterwards, he returned to AMG-Mercedes and won the driver and team trophy at the International FIA GT Championships in 1998 together with Ricardo Zonta. Officially he finished his career as a racing driver after this success, but in 2000 Ludwig returned for the start of the new German Touring Masters (DTM), finishing both the season and his racing driver career by coming in third in the overall placings with a Mercedes-Benz CLK.

Jochen Mass- Date of birth: 30 September 1946

Jochen Mass was originally a seaman, but then in 1968 he started his very varied career in motor racing, taking part in touring car races for Alfa Romeo and driving for the Ford works team from 1970 to 1975. During this period he won the 24 hours of Spa-Francorchamps in 1972. Parallel to this, he took part in the Formula Two (1973) and in 105 Formula One Grand Prix races (1973/74 with Surtees; 1975 to 1977 with McLaren; 1978 with ATS; 1979/80 with Arrows; 1982 with March). Following his German Sports Car Championship (DSM) title in 1985 and his experience as a works driver for Porsche until 1987, he joined the Sauber-Mercedes works team. He drove for this team in Group C until 1991. In the new Silver Arrow, the Sauber-Mercedes C 9, Jochen Mass then won the 1989 24 hours of Le Mans in the team with Manuel Reuter and Stanley Dickens and was runner-up in the world championship of the same year. Three years later, in 1992, Mass joined the DTM team management. Right up to the present day, Jochen Mass drives regularly for Mercedes-Benz at historical events.

Bernd Schneider-Date of birth: 20 July 1964

Five-times DTM champion Bernd Schneider was born in 1964 in St. Ingbert, Saarland, and his first racing successes were in karting and the Formula Three. Schneider also took part in the Formula One, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA GT Championships, winning this title in 1997. But the DTM became the stage on which he celebrated his greatest triumphs. From 1992 on, Schneider drove for the AMG-Mercedes team and won the German Touring Car championship for the team in 1995 after being third in the overall placings in 1992 and 1993. After the DTM was revived as the German Touring Car Masters in 2000, Schneider won in the years 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2006, and he was also runner-up in the championships in 2002. Bernd Schneider has remained closely connected to the brand Mercedes-Benz right up to the present day as a test driver and ambassador for the brand with the star.

Mercedes GT5 Competition Presents Winner With an SLS AMG

The lucky winner of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is 24 year old student Marco Calvo from Spain

The Mercedes-Benz GT5 Driving Challenge took the world’s best GT5 drivers and tested them on a real track,. Of the 15 competitors, only one would win a real SLS AMG to take home. The lucky winner of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is 24 year old student Marco Calvo from Spain.

Taking the help of “Mr. DTM” Bernd Schneider, DTM driver and former F1 driver David Coulthard, the 15 participants from around the world were introduced to the technology and the characteristics of the SLS AMG at the Austrian Red Bull-Ring earlier this week. After numerous rounds of testing, the competitors drove the SLS  AMG on the track to decide the winner.

Congratulations Marco, enjoy your new Mercedes SLS AMG.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 Places Third in 24 Hour Dubai Race

Competing as part of its development and testing, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 took third place in the 24H Dubai race

Competing as part of its final development and testing program, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 claimed third place during its first attempt in the 24 Hour Dubai race (January 13-15, 2011). The gullwing model, entered by the private Black Falcon team with the starting number 7, was driven by Thomas Jäger (Munich/Germany, age 34) Jan Seyffarth (Querfurth/Germany, 24), Kenneth Heyer (Wegberg/Germany, 31) and Sean Paul Breslin (London/Great Britain, 31). After a total of 594 laps, the Black Falcon team finished four laps behind the winner. The first race for three SLS AMG GT3s in the 2011 motorsport season also marked the completion to schedule of the development and testing programme which began in 2010.

The SLS AMG GT3 competing for Heico Motorsport with starting number 9, with Bernd Schneider (Bottighofen/Switzerland, age 46), Lance David Arnold (Duisburg/Germany, 24), Andreas Wirth (Heidelberg/Germany, 26), Brice Bosi (Luxembourg, 24) and Christiaan Frankenhout (Amsterdam/Netherlands, 28) behind the wheel, took seventh place overall, coming in 18 laps behind the winner.

The second Black Falcon vehicle, driven by Ralf Schall (Dornstadt/Germany, 41), Timothy Pappas (Boston/USA, 37), Bret Curtis (Valencia/USA, 44) and David Horn (Steinbach/Germany, 37), finished 69 laps behind the winner to claim 24th place. The vehicle with the starting number 8 was involved in a collision through no fault of the driver in lap 76. After a break of a good two hours for repairs, the vehicle resumed the race, making good ground with continual good lap times and claiming twelfth place in the final standings for class 6.

The SLS AMG GT3 with the starting number 9 began the race from the seventh starting position. Starting numbers 7 and 8 entered the fray from positions ten and twelve.

“It was a problem-free race for my team mates and myself in the new SLS AMG GT3. Black Falcon did a great job, and the AMG team provided us with first-class support. It was a good team performance overall which was rewarded with a third place that we can be proud of. Achieving a good finish for all three cars at the first attempt was an important affirmation for all those involved,” observes Thomas Jäger.

“Our first venture here in the 24H Dubai race went off without any technical problems,” notes Bernd Schneider. “We have acquired some important experience and achieved our aim of successfully completing the development and testing programme. With the SLS AMG GT3 we were able to keep pace with the front runners day and night over the long distance. The newly established Heico Motorsport team and my young team mates have done a great job.”

“Successfully finishing a 24-hour race with all three cars at the first attempt is a respectable result,” says Christoph June, SLS AMG project manager. “The high reliability and the good racing performance show that in the SLS AMG GT3 we have developed an appropriate vehicle for the racing series according to the FIA GT3 rules. Delivery of the customer vehicles to the private teams can now go ahead. Thanks are also due to the HWA headed by Gerhard Ungar for their support throughout the development process.”

“The result here in the Dubai 24-hour race proves that our customer sports programme is on the right track for 2011 with the SLS AMG GT3,” adds Uli Fritz, head of AMG Customer Sports. “Not only team owners and racing drivers will be able to drive the gull-winged model – AMG customers and fans will also have an opportunity to get to know the car at first hand through the AMG Driving Academy. I would like to thank the two customer teams, Black Falcon and Heico Motorsport, who raced our three vehicles here in Dubai.”

24-hour race staged for the sixth time, with 84 vehicles in the line-up

The 24-hour Dubai race was held for the 6th time in 2011 at the 5.39-kilometre Grand Prix circuit of the Dubai Autodrome. Over 350 drivers from 20 nations took part in the long-distance race, competing in a total of 84 cars.

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, which has been developed in accordance with the GT3 rules of the FIA worldwide governing body for automobile organisations (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), entered the race in class A6. The gull-winged car found itself up against established rival sports cars among the total of 24 vehicles competing in this class. In this first foray into the world of 24-hour racing, the focus was on ongoing technical development and ensuring the car’s stability.

Bernd Schneider and Thomas Jäger have accompanied the SLS AMG GT3 throughout its entire development and testing programme. Schneider is one of the most successful German racing drivers, with five DTM titles, one ITC title and one in the FIA GT championship. Jäger was a DTM driver for Mercedes-Benz from 2000 to 2003. In 2009 he won the championship title in the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany. In 2010 he raced in the ADAC GT Masters (Germany). Like Bernd Schneider, Thomas Jäger belongs to the team of instructors at the AMG Driving Academy. Since 1 October 2010, Jäger has additionally been active as a coordinator for AMG Customer Sports. As the central point of contact he supports the customer teams in all organisational and technical matters.

Ducati logo alludes to partnership started with AMG in 2010

All three SLS AMG GT3s in the 24H Dubai race sported the Ducati logo. The striking Ducati lettering on the rear wings alludes to the partnership which was agreed in November 2010 between Mercedes-AMG GmbH and Ducati Motor

Holding S.p.A. From the next MotoGP season the AMG logo will feature on the fairings of the Ducati Corse MotoGP team’s racing motorcycles and on the two riders’ leather suits – as Ducati’s official car partner, AMG will also be active in the field of MotoGP in 2011. In addition to our joint marketing and sponsoring activities, the two companies are also examining further activities and strategic measures for the near future.

A win and a third place in the VLN races in autumn 2010

As part of the development and test programme launched in June 2010, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 competed in three VLN races organised by the Veranstaltergemeinschaft Langstreckenmeisterschaft N ürburgring in the autumn of 2010. Thomas Jäger and Christopher Haase won the ninth VLN race for Black Flacon in the gull-winged model, while Bernd Schneider and Christian Mamerow (Mamerow Racing team) claimed third place overall in the tenth and final race.

Delivery to begin at the end of February 2011, following FIA homologation

The appearance of the three SLS AMG GT3 in the Dubai 24-hour race brought the development and testing programme to an end as planned. Following homologation and specification of the balance of performance by the FIA worldwide governing body for automobile organisations, delivery of the SLS AMG GT3 will commence at the end of February 2011. The sales price will be € 334,000 Euro (net)/€ 397,460 (incl. 19 % VAT). Production of the customer vehicles began at the end of December 2010.

SLS AMG GT3 integrated into the AMG Driving Academy from the outset

Customers of the AMG Driving Academy will be able to drive the SLS AMG GT3 on the race track themselves at selected events in 2011. The concept provides for the exclusive use of SLS AMG GT3 vehicles for the MASTERS skill level, which requires the highest standard of driving skills. With these unique events, the AMG Driving Academy is offering an opportunity to experience motor racing at first hand at an unprecedentedly high standard of safety.

Racing version of the gull-winged vehicle in accordance with FIA GT3 near-series rules

The racing version of the gull-winged car is designed as a customer sports car for short- and long-distance races in accordance with the FIA GT3 near-series rules. Lightweight design throughout and optimization of the chassis, brake system and aerodynamics provide for uncompromising driving dynamics. The maximum power output of the AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid engine with dry sump lubrication is specified by the FIA in accordance with the balance of performance. This is intended to ensure a level playing field for the participating racing vehicles. Classification, including stipulation of the vehicle’s kerb weight, is to take place in the spring of 2011.

The solution whereby the eight-cylinder engine has been fitted as low as possible as a front-mid engine behind the front axle and combined with a transmission on the rear axle leads to a favourable weight ratio and a low centre of gravity. The transaxle configuration also optimises handling and traction. The six-gear racing transmission is connected to the V8 engine with high bending and torque resistance by means of a torque tube. The lightweight aluminium chassis with double wishbones and the steel racing brake system with racing ABS provide for perfect race circuit performance.

Carbon safety cell ensures exemplary standard of safety

Similarly to in the DTM vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, the seat shell of the SLS AMG GT3 is installed in a safety cell consisting of high-strength carbon (carbon fibre-reinforced plastic). As a result of its special design, the safety cell bolted to the roll cage and the aluminium spaceframe offers markedly improved

protection for the driver’s shoulders, hips and legs. It is additionally compatible with the HANS system (Head and Neck Support). The seat shell is provided with an individual foam filling and incorporates a six-point seat belt to ensure superlative occupant safety. Additional safety is provided by the roll cage made of steel, which also further reinforces the aluminium spaceframe.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 Officially on Sale

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 Gullwing model for the racetrack is being delivered on time for the coming racing season

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 can now be ordered by interested teams. The gullwing model for the racetrack is being delivered on time for the coming motorsport season, starting in February 2011. The sales price is €334,000/ €397,460 (incl. 19% VAT) or $517,294.19 based on the current exchange rate.

Developed in accordance with the GT3 regulations of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), the SLS AMG GT3 is designed as a customer sports car for sprint and endurance races. These races for GT cars which are similar to their roadgoing counter-parts have diversified starting fields and are always filled with excitement. They are becoming increasingly important on the world stage, not least thanks to their relatively inexpensive cost structure. The development and testing programme for the SLS AMG GT3 is proceeding as planned.

Bernd Schneider, who has been a Mercedes-Benz works driver for many years and has won more DTM championship titles than any other driver, is at the wheel for the bulk of the test drives, which started in June. The first competitive action for the car, as part of the testing programme, will be in the VLN race at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife (North Loop) at the end of September.

Mercedes-Benz motorsport chief Norbert Haug: “The Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 marks the beginning of a new era in Mercedes-Benz customer motorsport. 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.”

Haug adds: “I am very pleased that the demand for this new and unique competition car is so great – there are many more enquiries for orders than can initially be dealt with. But, have no fear, the production curve will be ramped up step by step so that all interested parties who are serious about the SLS AMG GT3 can be served successively.”

The new SLS AMG GT3 is an emphatic continuation of AMG’s commitment to motorsport. AMG has been a pioneer in the motorsport world ever since its foundation in 1967. Ola Källenius, Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “With the SLS AMG GT3, AMG is once again showing its vast experience gained in over 40 years of motorsport and its high expertise when it comes to developing unique, high-performance vehicles.”

The new racing version of the SLS AMG is developed and produced by AMG in close cooperation with HWA AG. HWA is responsible for the development and deployment of the AMG-Mercedes DTM racing team on behalf of and in constant consultation with Mercedes-Benz Motorsport. The HWA team is one of the most successful in international motorsport, as proved by nine driver championships in the DTM and ITC, as well as two championship titles in the FIA GT series.No other brand has won nearly as many DTM races and DTM-titles as AMG‑Mercedes.

Interested racing teams can use the new SLS AMG GT3 in all race series in accordance with the FIA GT3 regulations, for example the FIA GT3 European Championship, the ADAC GT-Masters and the endurance championship organised by the VLN (Association of Nürburgring Endurance Cup Organisers, with 10 motorsport clubs) as well as the 24-hour races at the Nürburgring or Spa‑Francorchamps (Belgium).

Spectacular racing-car looks

The GT3 variant marks a further enhancement of the puristic design of the SLS AMG with its long bonnet, a flat greenhouse positioned a long way back and a short rear end. Body modifications make the gullwing model even more spectacular. Here the focus was on aerodynamic performance – as is seen not only in the new front apron with a splitter, the bonnet with its central cooling air vent and the wider front and rear wings, but also in the side wheel arch air vents, the sideskirts with cooling ducts for the rear brakes, the smooth underbody with a rear diffuser and the adjustable rear aerofoil. All these features ensure a low drag coefficient and excellent aerodynamic efficiency – while guaranteeing effective cooling of the thermally highly stressed components. The C-pillars accommodate the standardised filler pipes for the fast-refuel system.

The FIA will determine the maximum output of the AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid engine with dry sump lubrication on the “Balance of Performance” principle. This is intended to ensure that all the racing cars taking part have an equal chance. The classification process, during which the kerb weight is also determined, will be completed in spring 2011. Power transmission in the GT3 variant is by a sequential six-speed racing transmission with steering wheel shift paddles, an integrated multi-disc locking differential and traction control. As in the standard SLS AMG, the transmission is located at the rear axle: the engine and transmission are connected by a torque tube within which a carbon-fibre shaft rotates at the engine speed, as in the roadgoing version. The transaxle design ensures favourable weight distribution as well as optimising handling and traction.

In a system that is largely the same as the one used in the roadgoing cars, the wheels are located by a double-wishbone suspension of forged aluminium at the front and rear. Adjustment facilities for the springs and shock absorbers, the suspension height, the stabilisers, the track width and camber allow an individual setup for the racetrack. Rack-and-pinion steering with a more direct ratio and servo assistance make for extremely agile handling. Behind the central-locking AMG 18-inch light-alloy wheels, a steel racing braking system with racing ABS ensures outstanding deceleration. The airjack system integrated in the underbody allows fast wheel changes.

Functional racing car atmosphere, exemplary safety level

A functional racing car atmosphere dominates the interior of the SLS AMG GT3: like the standard-production gullwing model, the racing version features a dashboard in the shape of a powerful wing section to give the impression of width. The steel roll cage offers a high level of safety for the driver as well as further stiffening the aluminium spaceframe.

In a set-up similar to that of the Mercedes-Benz DTM vehicles, the seat shell is located in a high-strength carbon-fibre (CFRP) safety cell. Thanks to its special form, the safety cell, which is bolted to the roll cage and the aluminium spaceframe, offers far greater protection for the driver’s shoulders, hips and legs. The seat shell is individually foam-padded, features the HANS (Head and Neck Support) system, and is equipped with a six-point seat belt, thus maximising occupant safety. In conjunction with the 120-litre CFRP safety tank with inner bladder positioned on the rear axle and the optimised fire extinguisher system, the SLS AMG GT3 provides an exemplary level of safety that is unmatched by any other current GT3 car.

The central display is ideally positioned within the driver’s field of vision and provides all the relevant information such as track speed, engine rpm, operating temperatures, lap times and gear selection. The racing steering wheel with shift paddles for gear changes allows perfect control of the vehicle. Additional controls are located on the centre console. Here the driver can start the AMG V8 engine and adjust the traction control as well as engage reverse gear or – if the worst comes to the worst – activate the integrated fire extinguisher system. Brake balance adjustment is also possible.

Testing programme with Bernd Schneider started in June 2010

Development of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 is proceeding on schedule; the testing programme began on the Lausitz Eurospeedway in June 2010. Bernd Schneider (46) – who has been a Mercedes-Benz works driver for many years and is also an AMG brand ambassador – and Thomas Jäger (33) were brought on board as test drivers. With five DTM titles, one ITC championship and one FIA GT championship to his name, Bernd Schneider is one of the most successful German racing drivers. Thomas Jäger is the reigning Porsche Carrera Cup (Germany) champion, and drove in DTM for Mercedes-Benz between 2000 and 2003. This season he is lining up in the ADAC GT-Masters (Germany).

For Bernd Schneider, who will be doing the bulk of the test driving, developing a basic setup is a top priority. “The SLS AMG has excellent genes for being successful in motor racing. Even on my first fast laps at the Lausitz Eurospeedway, it was obvious that the GT3 version of the gullwing model has just what it takes to be a big hit on the racetrack. The combination of optimum weight distribution, a low centre of gravity, a powerful AMG V8 engine and efficient aerodynamics already indicates that the SLS AMG GT3 will be very competitive.”

First competitive action in the VLN race on the Nürburgring Nordschleife

As well as being tried out at the Lausitz Eurospeedway and the Sachsenring circuit, the SLS AMG GT3 is also being tested on the Nürburgring Nordschleife – under realistic racing conditions. On top of the pure testing and tuning drives, the gullwing model will taking part in its first races in the VLN endurance championship later this year.

The extensive development and testing program focuses on various suspension settings, engine mappings, tyre mixes and aerodynamics configurations. In addition to this, the complete package has to prove its durability and serviceability. At the same time, the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine and the six-speed racing transmission with sequential gearshift are being run on the test stations at HWA AG. Plus the entire vehicle is being tested on a driving-dynamics test station.

Teams can count on service and replacement parts

Mercedes-AMG and HWA will also be assisting the teams with service and replacement parts within Europe. The concept for the 2011 European motorsport season envisages offering comprehensive support in the three key championships and the major 24-hour races involving the SLS AMG GT3. A 24-hour replacement-part service and a technical hotline will be available for all other races and test drives.

Laureus look similar to Ralf Schumacher’s DTM C-Class

The SLS AMG GT3 features a Laureus look in shining chrome – designed to mirror the look of Ralf Schumacher’s AMG-Mercedes C-Class. The former Formula 1 driver is racing for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in this year’s DTM championship.

Laureus, founded by Daimler AG and Richemont in 1999, is a sports-based charity which uses the power of sport to bring people together. Laureus consists of three elements: the Laureus World Sports Academy, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and the Laureus World Sports Awards. Laureus supports 80 community projects in 32 countries which use sport as the means to tackle social evils such as HIV/AIDS, juvenile crime, violence, social exlusion, landmines awareness and discrimination. Since its inception Laureus has raised over €35 million for projects which have helped to improve the lives of more than one million young people. Each year the Laureus World Sports Awards honour the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen, with proceeds from the Awards Ceremony going to underpin the work of the Laureus Foundation.

SLS AMG GT3 can be ordered immediately

Interested teams can order the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 immediately – directly from Mercedes-AMG GmbH. The sales price is €334,000 (not incl. VAT) or €397,460 (incl. 19% VAT). The vehicle is only available with left-hand drive. Deliveries commence in February 2011, following homologation by the FIA in accordance with the GT3 regulations. For interested customers, the AMG Driving Academy offers special SLS AMG GT3 driver training.

DTM Drivers Schneider and Ludwig Begin Roles as Ambassadors for AMG and Mercedes-Benz

Bernd Schneider and Klaus Ludwig, the most successful DTM car racing drivers, have been appointed as brand ambassadors

Bernd Schneider and Klaus Ludwig, by far the most successful ever DTM touring car racing drivers, have been appointed as brand ambassadors, instructors and test drivers for AMG and Mercedes-Benz. With these appointments, which take immediate effect, Mercedes-Benz and the high-performance brand AMG have succeeded in securing the extensive wealth of experience and expertise of two of motorsport’s greatest professionals.

Bernd Schneider, who competed in his last DTM race at the season’s finale on 26 October 2008 at the Hockenheimring circuit, will now provide support to the AMGdevelopment team as a test driver and will also pass on his know-how as an expert instructor at the AMG Driving Academy. The record-breaking DTM champion will also be much in demand as a conversation partner at both customer and press events. His duties with AMG began officially on 1 January 2009.

“We are very happy to be welcoming Bernd Schneider to AMG. As a fair sportsman, Bernd Schneider enjoys a great deal of recognition and respect throughout the entire motor racing world and automotive industry. I am certain that our development team will benefit greatly from Bernd Schneider’s expertise. With his pleasant manner, he is also bound to be a great asset not only at customer and press events, but also at the events of our AMG Driving Academy where he will be involved as an instructor,” explains Volker Mornhinweg, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Bernd Schneider: “I see my decision to work for AMGfollowing my career as an active racing driver as absolutely logical. I was able to celebrate most of my victories, and also the most satisfying ones, in the AMG Mercedes team, and now I am looking forward to the new tasks as an instructor, test driver and brand ambassador for AMG.”

Schneider’s racing career: textbook perfect

As one of Germany’s most successful racing drivers of all time with five DTM titles and one each in the ITC and FIAGT Championship, Bernd Schneider (44 years of age) can look back over an extremely impressive career. The first milestone was his victory in the 1980 Junior World Kart Championship. After winning his spurs in the Formula Ford monoposto series he entered the German Formula 3 championships, which he won in 1987. Prior to this, in 1986, he had first competed with Ford in the DTM. After two years of Formula 1 with Zakspeed in 1988 and 1989, as well as sports car racing with Porsche in 1990 and 1991, Schneider moved to Mercedes and the Zakspeed DTM team as the successor to Michael Schumacher for the last two races in 1991. In 1992 he made another move to AMG Mercedes, where Schneider has remained to the present day.

Over the subsequent 17 years, as part of the AMG and HWA teams, he won 43 out of 226 races in the DTM and ITC, and eleven races in the 1997 and 1998 FIA GT Championships. All in all he won seven titles in these three championships.

In his penultimate DTM race at Le Mans, he emerged victorious from a tough but fair duel in atrocious conditions with the new DTM champion, Timo Scheider, thereby proving that even at the age of 44, he has lost none of his competitive spirit. Bernd Schneider ended the 2008 DTM season in sixth place in the final race at the Hockenheimring, ranking him in sixth place overall in the driver standings with a total of 34 points.

Klaus Ludwig: actively involved in series production development since 2000

Klaus Ludwig, former DTM team colleague of Bernd Schneider, also started his duties as brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz on 1 January 2009. Ludwig will represent the Stuttgartcar manufacturer on official occasions, such as at customer and press events. 59-year-old Ludwig has in fact been involved in series production development at Mercedes-Benz since the end of his active career as a DTM racing driver in 2000. Since 2003, he has been an established member of the “Ride & Handling Core Team”. As such he forms part of a team consisting of 15 Mercedes engineers who are responsible for assessing and approving the ride comfort and handling characteristics of all new vehicles prior to their market release – from the new E-Class and Maybach models, right through to smart. In addition, the renowned Ludwig also works as a driver training instructor for the SLR. CLUB, the very exclusive community for owners of the SLRMcLaren.

Dr Thomas Weber, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG with responsibility for Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development: “Klaus Ludwig’s very extensive experience is extremely beneficial to us. His long and above all highly successful motorsport career makes him a very experienced partner for our engineers and therefore also helps in achieving the perfect chassis and suspension set-up for new vehicles.”

“As part of my duties, I have enjoyed making a constructive contribution to the development of new Mercedes vehicles for many years,” says Ludwig. “Now I am looking forward to working even more closely with Mercedes-Benz in the future.”

Three DTM titles and three victories at the Le Mans 24-hour race

Klaus Ludwig, like Bernd Schneider, also ranks as one of Germany’s most successful motorsport professionals. Between 1985 and 2000 he took part in some 217 DTM and ITC races, emerging as victor on no fewer than 36 occasions. This has earned Ludwig second place in the DTM/ITC list of winners, behind Bernd Schneider. Achieving a total of 1792.5 points, he even tops the all-time best points list. A native of Bonn, Ludwig also won the German Touring Car Championship three times (1988, 1992, 1994). In 1979 and 1981, he emerged as champion of the DRM (German Racing Championship), the forerunner to the DTM, celebrating a total of 38 first places driving for BMW, Porsche and Ford. As such, combining both DRM and DTM results, he holds the overall record of 74 victories. Another of Ludwig’s records, set in the year 2000, also still stands to this day: at the age of 50, and therefore still the oldest DTM driver, he won both races at the Sachsenring circuit driving an AMG-Mercedes CLK DTM. He officially brought his long DTM career to an end at the close of the season.

Klaus Ludwig was also very successful in sports car racing, as demonstrated not only by his victory for AMG-Mercedes in the FIA GT championship in 1998. A further three victories at both the Le Mans 24-hour race (1979, 1984, 1985) and the Nürburgring 24-hour race (1982, 1987 and 1999) are also evidence of his great achievements.