2020 MERCEDES-AMG GT R PRO DEBUTS IN L.A.

Though it's not the 600-plus-hp Black Series we were hoping for, the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro is the most potent variant of AMG's sports car to date. Debuting at the L.A. auto show, the GT R Pro was developed using experience gained from racing the AMG GT3 and GT4, and as a result lapped the Nurburgring in 7 minutes, 4.632 seconds—4 seconds quicker than the standard GT R.

The GT R Pro achieved that without power upgrades, as the car still packs the standard GT R's twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 that makes 577 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Instead, AMG tweaked the GT R's suspension, improved its aerodynamics, and removed weight using new wheels and carbon-fiber parts.

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The GT R Pro gets a new coil-over suspension setup with adjustable spring preload length and damper compression and rebound. The car also receives an adjustable carbon-fiber front torsion bar, which works in concert with a steel torsion bar in the rear to reduce body roll. The GT R Pro uses the same spherical bearings in its rear lower control arms as the regular GT R but also benefits from spherical bearings in the upper arms.

In addition to being more wear-resistant, the special bearings offer more control as they keep the wheel alignment true even when under load. A carbon-fiber shear panel stiffens the rear end while the electronically controlled engine and transmission mounts (also found on other GT models) have been retuned to provide even more stiffness.

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Most of the weight savings appear to come from the GT R Pro's lightweight AMG Performance split-five-spoke forged wheels, which come finished in titanium gray. There's also a carbon-fiber roof and a ceramic composite brake system that each save a bit of weight. Additionally, GT R Pro models get brake calipers painted in black with white lettering.

The GT R Pro comes standard with Carbon Packages I and II, which include a front splitter, fender fins, a rear diffuser, side sills, mirrors, and rear spoiler all made of clear-coated carbon fiber. On top of all that, AMG added carbon-fiber flics on the front bumper that are said to stabilize the car at high speeds. Speaking of speed, the AMG GT R Pro tops out at 198 mph and is estimated to sprint from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. That's the same as the regular GT R, which means you can expect a time closer to the 3.4 seconds we recorded in testing.

Mercedes says the GT R Pro will be a limited edition, though it doesn't say how many it will build. The model is expected to go on sale late next year.