The AMG GT’s love affair with the naturally aspirated V8 draws to a close with this: the ‘Edition 130Y Motorsport’. It’s a nod to 130 years of Mercedes in motorsport—fitting, really, because it’s the most potent GT3 car the brand has ever produced.

The engineers at Affalterbach have wrung every last drop of performance from that magnificent 6.3-litre V8, ditching the air restrictor and adding a throatier exhaust system. The result? A monstrous 500 kW and 729 Nm of torque, channelled through a six-speed sequential gearbox. This beast set a new ‘GT car’ record at Mount Panorama with a blistering time of 1m 56.6s. Imagine the sound as it roars towards its 315 km/h top speed.

The exterior’s had a significant overhaul, too. The front splitter and its accompanying air intakes have been reworked, along with a revised rear diffuser and a larger, DRS-inspired rear wing. These changes contribute to a 15 per cent increase in downforce compared to the standard AMG GT3—no mean feat, considering that car’s already a track weapon.

Design-wise, the new colour schemes pay homage to the 1952 300 SL W 194, particularly with those blue rhombuses along the front wings and the colour-framed radiator grille. The 18-inch magnesium wheels, though, are firmly rooted in 2024.

Inside, the nods to the 300 SL continue, with blue and white chequered seat upholstery directly referencing the car once piloted by Juan Manuel Fangio. The new steering wheel, complete with walnut wood handles and ‘anodised’ buttons—whatever that means—adds a touch of retro flair.

Only 13 of these will ever exist, each commanding a cool £877k before taxes and all the extras. If you had the means, would you be tempted?