This Mercedes-AMG GT-R widebody is a track day life hack

Tuning supercars to make them faster is stupid. Prior Design knows this. That’s why its latest kit for the excellent Mercedes-AMG GT R doesn’t bother with more power or bigger turbos. Leave the V8 alone, and just make the car wider. How is anyone going to overtake you now?

This is what happens when you take a top-of -the-range AMG to a tuner that’s a little more, ahem, sympathetic with bodywork mods than the likes of Liberty Walk. In return for $17,000 (or around £14,000) the Prior Design kit adds swollen arches, a wide side skirt, a bigger diffuser and bumper, and a new bonnet.

This car’s riding on a set of forged 20-inch Ferrada wheels. And under the bonnet? Completely factory. That means a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, developing 577bhp and 516lb ft, driving the rear wheels to 62mph in 3.6sec and to almost 200mph flat out. Or maybe a little less, now there’s a bit more bodywork to poke through the headwind.

So, it might not be any faster around the 'Ring, but you’ll take up more space on each apex. Why drive faster when you can drive smarter? Other track day life hack ideas welcome below...