724bhp Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series hits Goodwood hillclimb
The range-topping Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series has been stripped back for track-only thrills, and its flat-plane crank V8 remains…
The Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series celebrates the performance division’s 55th year, bringing greater focus to the hardcore Black Series, and we experienced it from the passenger seat at Goodwood Festival of Speed. Prices start at €369,000 (c£308,000) plus VAT, but if you’d like one for the 2022 evo Trackdays season you’d better move fast, as just 55 examples will be built…
Said to be the marque’s most powerful customer sports car yet, the GT Track Series takes the Black Series platform and strips it of niceties such as padding, electric windows and interior trim, though air conditioning does remain. The result is a 122kg reduction in weight over the road car, bringing the total figure to an impressive 1400kg.
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Though it is eligible for the new Fanatec GT2 European Series, the GT Track Series is built purely for use during track days and club sport events, meaning it doesn’t have to meet any performance regulations you’ll find in GT3 and GT4. As a result, it retains the road car’s bespoke 4-litre twin-turbocharged flat-plane crank V8, with custom motorsport injectors and an ECU tune increasing output to 724bhp and 627lb ft, up 4bhp and 37lb ft over standard.
Sending power to the rear wheels is a new Hewland six-speed sequential race-spec transmission, with 325-section front and rear tyres transferring that power to the tarmac. Under the arches you’ll also find new forged 18-inch wheels and 390mm six-piston front, 355mm four-piston rear steel brakes with a brake beam for adjustable brake balance. New Bilstein dampers include high and low speed adjustability in rebound and compression too, with adjustable anti-roll bars also included.
Exterior design remains true to the GT Black Series, with the same enlarged GT3-derived Panamericana grille and aerodynamic kit. Minor tweaks have been made to a number of exterior components though, maximising downforce and cooling performance during track sessions. The front splitter is much improved for a boost in front end downforce, for example, with the rear diffuser and wing also receiving tweaks.
Inside, it’s all-out motorsport, with Mercedes-AMG focussing primarily on ease of use and safety. A steel roll cage is bolted directly to the aluminium space frame, with a large carbon safety cell included to allow space for even tall drivers. A five-point safety harness, roof-mounted extrication hatch, motorsport fire extinguisher system, driver safety nets and customisable foam seats all help it meet the latest FIA standards.
Alongside the embossed ‘1 of 55’ plaque and ‘Track Series’ seat embroidery, a new steering wheel, adjustable pedals, a Bosch DDU 11 Driver Display Unit with data logging and a 12-way adjustable ABS and traction control system also set it apart from the standard car.
To make track sessions a less stressful affair, Mercedes-AMG will provide each buyer with a service and support package, giving them with engineer support upon request, a service hotline and logistical services for spare parts.
The €369,000 (c£308,000), plus VAT, price doesn’t seem so high when you consider the £335,000 price tag of the Black Series. Just 55 units will be produced in total, and buyers can add the likes of a spare parts starter kit, a seat and helmet ventilation system, drinking system and a passenger safety cell at an additional cost.
