With an increase in power output to 435 kW (591 hp), optimised gear shift times and the new AMG RIDE CONTROL Performance suspension, the GT evolution of the gullwing model is ready for this weekend’s Formula 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX.

Car driver Bernd Mayländer is particularly pleased with his ‘company car’: "The SLS AMG GT is the best Safety Car I have driven!"

The job of the Official F1™ Safety Car is, as always, to help ensure maximum safety for the F1™ field is maintained in extreme situations. As soon as Race Control considers that the safe progress of the race may be impeded, it sends the Safety Car out onto the track.

Poor weather conditions or accidents are the main reasons for its deployment. The new SLS AMG GT differs from the previous SLS AMG in terms of its increased driving dynamics, even better on-track performance and also new design features.

SLS AMG GT Official F1™ Safety Car in standard production guise

In keeping with the philosophy of Mercedes-AMG, the Safety Car does without technical modifications or retrofitted lightweight design measures as far as possible. The SLS AMG GT's outstanding driving dynamics come courtesy of its thoroughbred sports car heritage.

The AMG 6.3-litre V8 front mid-engine, with a maximum output of 591 hp and 650 Nm of peak torque, is also the series-production version, as are the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission with optimised shift times, the newly developed AMG RIDE CONTROL Performance suspension, the AMG high-performance ceramic composite brake system and the weight-reduced AMG 10-spoke forged light-alloy wheels painted in matt black with a high-sheen finish.

The one exception is the specially developed rear silencer, which also featured in the SLS AMG Official F1™ Safety Car and generates an even more sensational V8 soundtrack to thrill Formula 1™ fans watching at the circuit and at home alike. The SLS AMG GT races from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, and reaches 124 mph after just 11.2 seconds.

Visually, the SLS AMG GT can be distinguished from the SLS AMG by its darkened headlamps and tail lamps and the addition of "GT" to the AMG badge on the right-hand side of the boot lid amongst other things.