The Mercedes-AMG GT R will have 577bhp

We know a Mercedes-AMG GT R is coming, and now we know just how powerful it will be.

This weekend will see the most potent Merc supercar since the SLS AMG Black Series debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Potent, because it has a 577bhp twin-turbo V8 sat behind its front axle, driving the rear wheels. And likely grenading the rear tyres if you’re of a childish disposition. It’s 74bhp healthier than the already mad AMG GT S, after all.

What else is new? There will be a transaxle transmission, a “substantially modified undercarriage”, a more involved aerodynamic package – big wings, splitters and dive planes, essentially – and newly lightweight construction. Read that as ‘much carbon’.

We don’t know how light it will be exactly, but we do know that its 577bhp will whisk it from 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds and on to a 198mph top speed. Its “extraordinary driving dynamics promise extreme fast laps on the racetrack”, Merc also assures us.

Further to that, its colour is called “AMG green hell magno”, a matt green that pays homage to the Nürburgring. Less than subtle clues that we’ll see it attempt to topple the Nismo GT-R’s 7:08.69 Nordschleife lap time? It’d be rude not to speculate…

More as we see the covers whipped off this Friday, June 24. You excited?