Mercedes develops GT3 specifically for racing, arriving in 2027

Mercedes has begun track testing of the Concept GT Track Sport, the prototype of the GT3 car that will replace the current Evo model in 2027. The camouflaged car, in yellow and red, successfully completed its first kilometers this week at the Affalterbach facilities.

The testing phase will extend over several months at different circuits to validate systems and components under extreme conditions. The prototype uses a carbon fiber monocoque and an AMG V8 engine, with optimized weight balance and advanced aerodynamics aimed at exploring the physical limits of performance.

Mercedes is developing this GT3 specifically for racing because the current road model switched to a 4-seater format in 2023, making it unsuitable for motorsport. The current competing GT3 Evo is based on the previous two-seater C190 model, but it has now been on the market for nine years since its debut in 2016.

Photo By Mercedes Benz

GT3 Evo Maintains Competitiveness but is Aging

The change is not due to poor performance of the current model. Winward Racing (#57) won the IMSA GTD teams' championship this year with the GT3 Evo, while Iron Lynx operates two cars (#60 and #61) in the WEC LMGT3 alongside the AKKODIS ASP Team (#78).

The original GT3 debuted in 2016 as a replacement for the SLS AMG GT3, initially using a 6.3-liter V8 engine that was later changed to the current 4.0-liter biturbo. The Evo update in 2020 introduced redesigned aerodynamics, a stiffer chassis, improved suspension, and updated electronics to keep it competitive against the Porsche 911 GT3 R, Audi R8 LMS Evo, and Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo.

Photo By Mercedes Benz

Affalterbach Racing Inherits HWA's Experience

The new Affalterbach Racing division, created after the acquisition of HWA in 2024, is leading the project. HWA was founded in 1998 by Hans-Werner Aufrecht and had developed all of Mercedes' DTM cars since the 2000s, as well as the original GT3 and its 2020 Evo evolution.

This transition keeps the same technical team but under the direct control of Mercedes-AMG, speeding up development decisions and guaranteeing resources to compete with manufacturers who are heavily investing in GT3.

Photo By Mercedes Benz

Homologation Planned for 2027

Michael Schiebe from Mercedes-AMG confirmed the project's ambitions: "With the Concept AMG GT Track Sport, we are once again exploring the limits of what is possible. We have a world-class team working on this concept with the incomparable AMG spirit. It pushes us to the physical and dynamic handling limits. The future will be extreme."

Testing will continue before the official development timeline is confirmed. Mercedes plans to have the new GT3 homologated and ready for 2027, when teams like Winward Racing and Iron Lynx will need to migrate from the current model to maintain competitiveness at Le Mans, Daytona, Sebring, and the world's major GT3 series.