Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance car division is preparing to throw down the gauntlet to Stuttgart neighbour Porsche and its highly rated 911 GT3 RS with an exciting new track-inspired version of its range-topping GT.

The powered-up coupé will take the GT R name into production. This new two-seater is due to be built on the same assembly line as the GT and GT S at Mercedes-Benz’s Sindelfingen factory in Germany, following its planned debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June.

The GT R is the third in a planned five-model line-up and is themost aggressive incarnation of the GT yet. Together with an upgraded engine delivering around 570bhp, it receives heavily reworked underpinnings developed as part of a homologation package for the GT3 race car unveiled at last year’s Geneva motor show.