The racing version of the AMG GT sports car, known simply as the Mercedes AMG GT3, made its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The mighty speed machine looks a lot more formidable in the flesh than it did in the first press pictures they released. This is going to make watching the GT3 category next year a must watch.

Mercedes AMG GT3 is powered by the old – well, relatively old – 6.2 liter V8 which is the last of naturally aspirated AMG V8s and one of the most characterful engines ever built anywhere in the world. The main reason Mercedes chose this engine for the GT3 was its inherent user-friendly technology, excellent reliability, and long maintenance intervals; attractive qualities in a customer race car.

The transmission in the Mercedes AMG GT3 is a transaxle six-speed sequential racing gearbox and it features double-wishbone suspension, a lightweight yet extremely rigid aluminium spaceframe, carbon-fibre seat pan and an integral roll-over cage made from high-tensile steel.

That amazing body is also built with lightness in mind, with the engine cover, doors, front wing, front and rear aprons, sidewalls, side skirts, diffuser, boot lid and rear aerofoil are all made from carbon. The upcoming AMG GT Black Series could be inspired in parts by the design of the GT3’s aero kit.