Mercedes-AMG GT R 2017 | new car sales price

Mercedes-AMG has released pricing for its vicious GT R flagship coupe ahead of its arrival Down Under in July, setting buyers back $349,000 plus on-road costs – a $50,000 hike over the former range-topping GT S.

When the GT R arrives, it will stretch the GT range to three variants, joining the GT S and base-level GT as what Mercedes-AMG describes as the "spearhead of the Mercedes-AMG model range".

The line-up will be boosted to five variants by next year, with the arrival of two models revealed at the Detroit motor show in January – the drop-top GT C Roadster at the end of the year, and the hard-top GT C Coupe in 2018.

The considerable pricetag attached to the GT R puts it up against some serious performance competition including the Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2 at $378,900, the Audi R8 V10 Quattro ($354,616) and Maserati GranTurismo Stradale ($345,000) and just shy of the asking price for the Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo ($384,600).

The GT R uses a retuned version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine found in the GT S, boosting power by 55kW to a formidable 430kW at 6250prm, while torque remains the same at 700Nm from 1900-5500rpm.

Distinguishing features of the GT R include wider front and rear wings and an increased track width, which combines to achieve "even higher cornering speeds" and better grip, according to Mercedes-AMG. 

It also gets a large, rear aero foil, a new rear apron with double diffuser and "active elements" in the new front fascia which help enhance aerodynamics.

The GT R was developed based on racing experience in the AMG GT3 used in the German DTM racing series, and the company says the new model was designed with track use in mind.

The GT R combines the user-friendliness of the GT with the manic performance of the GT3 racecar.

It has a top speed of 318km/h and a 0-100km/h time of just 3.6 seconds, representing 8km/h and 0.2 second improvements over the GT S, respectively.

The R gets the new Panamerica grille based on the GT3 racer, and the exclusive ‘AMG green hell magno' paint colour is a nod to the North Loop of the Nurburgring circuit in native Germany, nicknamed ‘Green Hell'.

It features four-wheel steering and adjustable coil-over suspension, while the amount of slip on the rear wheels is adjustable depending on what setting is used.

Mercedes-AMG CEO Tobias Moers said the GT R combines the user-friendliness of the GT with the manic performance of the GT3 racecar.

"This road-going sportscar with motor-racing genes and innovative technical solutions offers an ultimate driving experience that allows people to feel our motorsport origins in every fibre," he said.

"It combines the driving dynamics of our AMG GT3 racing car with the everyday practicality of the AMG GT. Those with petrol in their veins will be thrilled by the radical longitudinal and lateral acceleration, the precise turn-in, and the sensational grip. We have modified all performance-relevant components and linked them together intelligently for maximum driving dynamics."

More local specification details will be released closer to the car's launch.

Would you choose a Mercedes-AMG GT R over the likes of the Audi R8 V10 Quattro and Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2? Tell us what you think in the comments below.