Enthusiasts were quick to criticize Mercedes-AMG for softening the second-generation AMG GT, and with good reason. The front-engined sports car has become a much larger, heavier 2+2, morphing more or less into an SL coupe. To the dismay of purists, there's even a four-cylinder version now. But the original model never truly died; it only lost its license plate. In 2025, a new version of the “C190” arrives, destined exclusively for the track.
The GT2 Edition W16 is Mercedes-AMG’s most powerful customer race car to date. Free from the constraints of road cars and any racing series regulations, engineers had the freedom to extract maximum performance from its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8. The engine delivers 818 horsepower and 738 pound-feet (1,000 Newton-meters) of torque, without any electric assistance. It's a solid upgrade over the regular GT2 launched in late 2022 with "only" 707 hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm).
Full power is unleashed via a Push2Pass function, activated by a button on the steering wheel. It temporarily increases boost pressure, unlocking an extra 98 hp and 148 lb-ft (200 Nm). Output goes to the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential racing transmission mounted on the rear axle in a transaxle setup. For added rigidity, the gearbox is linked to the V-8 via a carbon fiber torque tube.
The upgrades don’t stop there. Thanks to an aggressive weight-loss program that includes 18-inch magnesium wheels, the AMG GT tips the scales at just 3,153 pounds (1,430 kilograms). A revised aerodynamic package incorporates a button-activated DRS system that closes the fender louvers and folds the rear wing, reducing drag and pushing top speed beyond 199 mph (320 km/h).
Mercedes notes that DRS and Push2Pass can be used either separately or together. Adjustable shock absorbers and anti-roll bars complete the mechanical package. Inside, there's a carbon fiber safety cell and a five-point harness. Should things go awry, the driver can use the onboard fire extinguisher or access the emergency hatch.
Mercedes-AMG GT2 Edition W16
As expected, the GT2 Edition W16 doesn't come cheap. Mercedes-AMG is asking €679,000 before VAT, or roughly $791,000 at current exchange rates. Production will be limited to just 30 cars.
For those wanting a second-generation AMG GT, a Track Sport version is on the way. It’s expected to serve as a street-legal homologation special for the new GT3 race car based on the “C192” launched in 2023.
