Mercedes-AMG GT3 race car leaked ahead of Geneva reveal

The photos were first published on the website of French weekly news magazine Le Point and follow on from the official teaser image, which was released earlier this week by Mercedes-AMG.

Based on the road-legal Mercedes-AMG GT coupe, the new Mercedes-AMG GT3 race car will replace the SLS AMG GT3 from 2016.

According to the French publication, the GT3 race car will not use the road-going GT's 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, which in the Mercedes-AMG GT S produces 375kW/650Nm. Instead, the GT3 racer will use an updated version of the 6.3-litre V8 employed in the outgoing SLS AMG GT3.

The reported rationale for this move is that the naturally aspirated engine is both easier and cheaper for privateers to maintain and use. Also, the 6.3-litre V8 has a proven reliability record on the track.

The naturally aspirated engine, which cranked out 420kW/650Nm in the SLS AMG GT3, will be located in its usual front-midship position and will be hooked up to a sequential transmission.

Power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels; the GT3 will ride on aluminium double wishbone suspension all around.

Le Point claims that the GT3 race car will retain the road vehicle's aluminium frame, but, in order to keep weight down, the GT3's doors, front and rear wings, aprons, side skirts, diffuser and boot lid will all be fashioned from carbonfibre.