Karl Benz once remarked, “My first customer was a lunatic. My second had a death wish,” not foreseeing that his creations would inspire a generation of customers combining the first and second for over a century. One hundred and thirty years, to be exact, in motorsports! That is more than two lifetimes of any person, and yet this long-standing heritage and tradition hold strong to this day. Where does it culminate? The GT3 Edition 130Y, that’s where!
Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the limited-edition GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport. This exclusive model signifies the end of an era as it will be the final car to feature the celebrated 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine, marking a poignant send-off for the AMG GT3. The car was showcased at Pebble Beach, adding to its allure.
The GT3 Edition 130Y is powered by a legendary 6.3-litre M156 V8 engine, which produces 680 bhp at 7,250 rpm and 74.4 kgm of torque at 6,000 rpm. The engine is paired with a sequential six-speed gearbox, carbon ceramic brakes inspired by Formula 1 and DTM, and sports advanced active aerodynamics, including a drag reduction system (DRS) that adjusts the rear wing position to reduce drag and boost straight-line speed.
The result? A top speed of 315 kph! Karl Benz never saw this insanity. That, however, is not the entire story.
The exterior pays a striking homage to the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL W 194, the German manufacturer’s first fixed-roof race car from 1952. It sports a distinctive silver paint job accented with blue highlights, reminiscent of the early 50s racing era. The car’s aerodynamic enhancements include a redesigned front splitter, fender-mounted louvres, an underbody modification, and a prominent rear diffuser.
The interior of the GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport makes this demon a literal wolf in sheep’s clothing. The cabin design is inspired by the Mercedes-Benz SLR 300 from 1955, a car that gained global recognition with Juan Manuel Fangio. It features blue checkered fabric seat upholstery, brown leather headrest upholstery, and door loops. A bespoke steering wheel with anodised buttons and walnut wood handles makes an impressive first impression.
Adding to the exclusivity, the model is adorned with an exclusive “GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport” badge on the center console, which comes with a Bosch DDU 10 cockpit display for the driver. The design nods to the historic race cars driven by Hans Klenk and Karl Kling in the 1952 Carrera Panamericana and by Hermann Lang and Fritz Riess in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
For safety, the car is equipped with a carbon fiber safety cell, a steel roll cage, a five-point harness, safety nets, a fire suppression system, and an emergency hatch. The car also benefits from fully adjustable four-way motorsport shock absorbers.
The GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport is priced at EUR 1,030,000 (approximately Rs 9.5 crore). With only 13 units being produced, this limited edition is a rare and highly coveted collector’s item.
The Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport is a fitting tribute to over a century of motorsport excellence. As the final model to feature the iconic 6.3-litre V8 engine, it represents both a significant piece of automotive history and a pinnacle of contemporary racing technology. For collectors and enthusiasts, this limited-edition car provides a unique opportunity to own a piece of Mercedes-AMG’s illustrious legacy.
