McLaren MP4-12C GT3

McLaren has announced plans to take its MP4-12C racing.

The MP4-12C GT3, which will compete against cars such as the BMW Z4 GT3, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 and the ubiquitous Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S, is being built primarily for privateer entrants in Europe.



McLaren has been working in collaboration with Leicestershire-based CRS Racing who will build, sell and provide support to owners. The plan is for a small production run of cars for the 2012 European FIA GT3 Series, although before that there will be a limited race programme during 2011 as part of the development process.



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Spec a McLaren MP4-12C

Z4 GT3 Nürburgring lap

It may be just a few weeks since its launch, but the BMW Z4 GT3 is already being tested around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, as this YouTube video shows.







Driven by Richard Göransson for the Schubert Motorsport Team, the in-car footage shows the circuit was rather wet for the car’s inaugural lap. Nevertheless, nothing managed to get by the Z4, and most other drivers sensibly headed for the edge of the track to let it pass.

SLS AMG GT3

Images have emerged of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 racing car.

Built to challenge rivals such as the Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, BMW Z4 GT3 and Aston Martin DBRS9, it’s expected to make its competition debut in 2011.

Few details have been revealed about the new car, although its 6.3 litre V8 should produce slightly more than the 571 bhp found in a road-going SLS AMG.

Visually, the most obvious change is the addition of a huge wing on the back, which will work together with the enlarged front splitter to provide plenty of down force on the circuit.

The interior is totally stripped out, and a full roll-cage has been fitted.

It’s unknown whether Mercedes-Benz has approached the FIA yet regarding homologation. It will be interesting to see if the FIA feels those gull-wing doors are a potential safety risk - they’ll certainly make driver extraction difficult if the car ends up on its roof after an accident.

BMW Z4 GT3

When the 340 bhp sDrive35is was unveiled at January’s Detroit Auto Show, BMW said it would be the most potent member of the Z4 range. There was to be no Z4M, dashing hopes of a Z4 powered by the 420 bhp 4.0 litre V8 from the M3.



But now there is a V8-powered Z4, albeit for the circuit only. BMW is using a version of the M3’s engine in the new Z4 GT3. As the name implies, its purpose is to compete in GT3 racing series, such as the FIA GT3 European Championship, International GT Open and ADAC GT Masters.

The existence of the Z4 GT3 doesn’t mean that BMW is planning to enter a works team in any of those championships. Rather, the car forms part of its customer racing programme, and is to be offered to private racing teams. Each will cost 298,000 Euros, plus VAT.

Producing 480 bhp with a six speed sequential transmission, the car comes equipped with racing anti-lock brakes as well as the obvious aerodynamic enhancements. Air conditioning can be specified as an option.

It’s hard to say whether the Z4 GT3 means a Z4M is any closer to reality. Pricing and performance compared to the Z4’s competitors, as well as anticipated demand, are all factors.

In the UK, the sDrive35is retails at £43,885, so an M version would probably be in excess of £50k (the M3 Coupe starts at £52,050). That’s a lot for a roadster, although Mercedes-Benz gets away with it. It charges £52,945 for the SLK 55 AMG which, with its V8 engine, would be a natural rival for a Z4M.

However, the SLK only manages a relatively modest 360 bhp, whilst its 0-100 km/h acceleration of 4.9 seconds fails to beat the Z4 sDrive35is, which does it in 4.8. Therefore, from a performance perspective, it’s debatable whether BMW has to bother with a V8 for its road-going Z4.



The only other serious competitor to a Z4M would be the Porsche Boxster. The most powerful version is the Spyder, which produces 320 bhp from its six cylinder engine.

That 20 bhp deficit versus the Z4 sDrive 35is is reflected in its performance. With manual transmission, the Spyder just fails to better 5 seconds in the 0-100 km/h sprint. It’s also more expensive, costing £45,603. So, as with the SLK, BMW seemingly doesn’t need anything more powerful - or expensive - than the sDrive35is at the moment.