SLS AMG GT3 45th Anniversary edition

Their GT3 race version of the Mercedes SLS gullwing coupe is already limited, only built at the rate of around 30 a year since it was introduced in 2010. But the SLS AMG GT3 "45th Anniversary" is even more exclusive. Only five examples have been built - literally a handful!

Each unit of the extremely limited edition version of AMG's racetrack-prepared GT3 has been hand-built, with particular attention paid to each unit by AMG Brand Ambassador and German Touring Car champion, Bernd Schneider. Along with an AMG engine fitter, Schneider personally slotted in each unit's AMG 6.3-litre aluminium V8.

With the South American market showing a growing appreciation for AMG's high-performance vehicles, the 45th Anniversary SLS AMG GT3 was launched in Brazil at October's Sao Paolo International Motor Show.

While the 45th Anniversary model is based heavily on the production SLS AMG GT3, there are a number of exterior and interior modifications to set the limited edition model apart. For starters, the body is finished in 'designo magno' graphite matt paint finish. Prior to its application to the 45th Anniversary SLS AMG GT3, this paint was exclusive to the SL 65 AMG "45th ANNIVERSARY", unveiled in April, 2012, to mark the 45th birthday of Mercedes-AMG. Complementing the matt paintwork are AMG light-alloy wheels, which are finished in the same designo magno graphite.

Just in case you didn't know this was an Anniversary model, a bold "45 Years of Driving Performance" logo, framed in silver, features on each of the GT3 racer's gullwing doors. As a special touch, the "45" of the logo reveals the exposed carbon-fibre structure of the gullwing doors under the matt paintwork. In addition to the doors, virtually all the other exterior body panels cladding the aluminium spaceframe bodyshell are in lightweight motorsport-spec CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic), too.

The interior of the SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" is all business, with a steel rollcage and carbon fibre 'safety shell' on the driver's side. The driver is restrained by a six-point safety harness finished in silver. The matt carbon-fibre finish dash and centre console are all driver-oriented, with a small "45th Anniversary - 1 of 5" plaque on the console and seats alluding to the limited production run for this racing car.

While the steering wheel features all the usual race-spec buttons and flippers for the paddle-shift transmission, the Anniversary model differs a little from past SLS GT3 models in that the wheel is a closed type, rather than in the open-top style. The dash unit itself is a full race-spec digital Magneti Marelli unit. The co-driver's side of this collector's item also features a seat shell in high-strength carbon-fibre. Despite all the race-oriented fitout of the interior, there is one concession to driver comfort - air conditioning is fitted.

So what does all this limited-edition luxury and performance cost? Price ex-Germany was _446,250. This equals around $565,000 Aussie dollars. Not chicken feed, but if you're going to go racing, you may as well do it in style!

SLS AMG GT3 '45th Anniversary' basic specifications

Engine: AMG 6.3 litre DOHC 32-valve aluminium V8 front/mid-mounted
Power/Torque: 373kW/600Nm (500bhp/443ft/lb)
Chassis: Aluminium spaceframe
Body: Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (Aluminium on production GT3)
Transmission: Paddle-operate six-speed sequential
Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion
Suspension: Adjustable double wishbones all round
Brakes: Carbon ceramic discs with ABS all round
Wheels: 18-inch AMG centre-lock light alloys
Tyres: Dunlop competition spec