Three years after the SLS Black Series departed, its angry baby brother GT R lobs as the next hardcore, track-focused AMG with its sights set (again) on Porsche’s 911 GT3 RS.

Affalterbach will charge around $400K for the GT R when it arrives locally in July 2017, placing it directly against broad competition beyond Stuttgart.

While the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 unlocks 55kW/50Nm above a standard $300K GT S to 430kW/700Nm, and helps deliver a 3.6sec 0-100km/h and 318km/h top speed, this road-racer is about maximising the potential of its sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s.

Mercedes-AMG GT R rear side

This AMG’s ‘Green Hell magno’ paint gives a nod to the Nurburgring where a sub-7min 20sec is promised – at least 10sec quicker than SLS Black Series – thanks to a lightweight carbonfibre injection, chassis tech additions and F1-derived aero and traction control tricks, plus the extra grunt.

Here are six changes to the definitely-unhyphenated GT R and how it plans to sink its shiny chrome fangs into rivals…

1. Active Aero

Mercedes-AMG GT R Active Aero

2. Rear Steering

Mercedes-AMG GT R rear wheel steering

3. More Grunt

Mercedes-AMG GT R engine

4. Traction Control

Mercedes-AMG GT R traction control

5. Fat Styling

Mercedes-AMG GT R rear

6. Weight Drop

Mercedes-AMG weight loss