Track-born and rule-free: The Mercedes-AMG GT2 Edition W16
Strictly built for the track and officially the most powerful Mercedes-AMG customer racing car ever, the new GT2 Edition W16 is something special. If you remember the AMG GT2 from 2022, this is essentially its evolution, sharper, bolder, and taken to a whole new level.
To start with, it isn’t road-legal. This is a car designed purely for the circuit, free from the constraints of racing series homologation rules. And that’s exactly where the magic lies: complete freedom to go all out. With input from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, engineers have been able to push performance beyond the usual boundaries of regulated competition.
At its heart sits a heavily reworked version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 from the GT Black Series, tuned to unleash 610kW and a colossal 1,000Nm. On top of that, AMG has added a Push2Pass function, a steering-wheel-mounted button that temporarily boosts output by another 73kW and 200Nm for those short, explosive bursts of power.
All that grunt is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed sequential racing gearbox. Under the skin, there’s an arsenal of motorsport hardware: fully adjustable 4-way dampers, tunable anti-roll bars, and a range of aerodynamic refinements. From active louvres in the front fenders to an enlarged diffuser and even a drag reduction system, which increases the top speed to over 320km/h.
Visually, it’s just as dramatic. The massive rear wing is paired with a livery that pays tribute to Mercedes’ F1 machines, complete with the signature star pattern and Petronas accents. A final touch of exclusivity: the door sills are hand-signed by Kimi Antonelli, the rising Italian star of the Mercedes F1 Team.
When it comes to safety, Mercedes-AMG hasn’t held back. The GT2 Edition W16 is built around a carbon-fibre safety cell integrated into the chassis, paired with a five-point harness, safety nets, a fire suppression system, a racing fuel tank, and even an emergency hatch for quick exits. On the electronic side, it’s equipped with racing-grade ABS and a highly configurable traction control system.
Only 30 units will ever be built, each priced at €679,000 (around R14 million before taxes). To make the experience even more special, buyers will be invited to an exclusive handover at a European racetrack, complete with a bespoke racing suit and helmet.
