Mercedes SLS GT3 race car leaks early

The first photos of the new Mercedes SLS GT3 race car have leaked out onto the web ahead of the car's official unveiling in a few weeks time.

It does indeed, and that huge rear wing does a lot to balance out the long, long nose of the SLS AMG. The big wing is matched to a monster diffuser, chunky front splitter, aero spats around the nose, deep side sills and a vented rear bumper. A new bonnet and some rather garish red trim complete the exterior makeover.

As for inside the SLS GT3, you won't find much there – the plump leather seats, multimedia system and airbag-equipped steering wheel have all been pulled out. In their place is a seriously hefty roll cage, a solitary carbonfibre race seat, a carbon-trimmed centre console, a tiny little steering wheel and a dash-mounted data display.

Other details are still scant – the SLS GT3 won’t be officially revealed for a few more weeks – but the suspension will be adjustable, the new alloys are shod with slicks and the racer is expected to use a tweaked version of the road cars's naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8, good for over 600bhp. The price tag should be north of £500k too, but then not every race car has gullwing doors for posing in the pitlane.

Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Passion

By Ben Pulman