Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 (2011–2015)
The SLS AMG GT3 was Mercedes-AMG's first GT3 customer car, built with HWA from 2011. It used the road car's 6.2-litre V8 and a Hewland transaxle. It won the Nürburgring and Spa 24 Hours in 2013. Today it suits buyers who want a front-engined GT3 for historic endurance grids.
History
Mercedes-AMG presented the SLS AMG GT3 in March 2010, at the same time as the road car went on sale 2. It was built to FIA GT3 rules as a customer car for sprint and endurance racing 1. AMG developed and built it with HWA AG, the company that ran the Mercedes DTM team 1. Bernd Schneider did most of the test driving from June 2010 1.
Orders opened in August 2010 at €334,000 before VAT, with left-hand drive only 1. Deliveries started in February 2011 after FIA homologation 1. The car kept the road car's M159 6.2-litre V8 with dry-sump lubrication 3. A Hewland six-speed sequential gearbox replaced the road car's Getrag dual-clutch unit, still at the rear axle 34. A torque tube with a carbon shaft links engine and gearbox, as on the road car 1.
The car kept evolving during its life. The FIA approved carbon doors in mid-2012, replacing the first aluminium doors 3. For 2013 AMG cut 9 kg with carbon pedal-box slide housings and lightening holes in non-structural frame parts 3. In October 2012 AMG offered five 45th Anniversary cars in matt graphite paint at €450,000 including VAT 6. Schneider helped install their engines and signed each certificate 6.
Customer cars raced across Europe, Asia, Australia and the USA 9. AMG still ran a points trophy for SLS GT3 entrants in the 2015 season 8. Its successor, the Mercedes-AMG GT3, kept the M159 engine family, which helps engine parts supply today 11. Late SLS cars were still being built in 2014 1514. Many survivors now run in historic GT and endurance series 1316.
Palmarès
The car won its first VLN race at the Nürburgring in October 2010, before customer deliveries began 9. Black Falcon won the Dubai 24 Hours with it in 2012 and 2013 9. In 2013 it won the Bathurst 12 Hour with Erebus Motorsport 9. The same year Black Falcon won the Nürburgring 24 Hours, the first Mercedes win there 10. Its drivers were Bernd Schneider, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Sean Edwards and Nicki Thiim 10. It then won the 2013 Spa 24 Hours, the first Mercedes win in that race since 1964 9. In Super GT, GAINER won the 2013 GT300 season opener with an SLS 3. Rowe Racing finished third overall at the 2014 Nürburgring 24 Hours 5.
What to check before you buy
Match the chassis number to its race history and ask about any shell replacement: At least one car had a new shell fitted late in its life, which matters for value and historic acceptance. Get written kilometres since the last engine and gearbox service, and who did the work: One documented car had its gearbox rebuilt by HWA 1,000 km before sale. Without such records the next bill is a guess. List which updates are fitted: door material, 2013 weight-saving parts, data system: The car changed in 2012 and 2013, so two SLS GT3s can differ in parts and weight. Count the spares package: spare engine, gearbox, wheel sets and body panels: Dealer cars have been offered with a spare engine and gearbox or several wheel sets, and this changes the real price. Ask for the fuel-cell bladder's manufacture and certification dates: The car uses a 120-litre CFRP tank with an inner bladder; an old bladder may need replacing before racing. Sit in the car before buying: The carbon seat shell is fixed; pedals and steering wheel slide to fit the driver, so check your size works. Confirm with the organiser that the car is accepted for your target series: Masters lists the SLS GT3 for its Endurance Legends grid, but historic rules and windows change from year to year.
Versions and evolutions
| Version | Years | What changed | How to identify |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 launch specification | 2011–2012 | Original homologated car: aluminium doors, steel brakes with racing ABS, 120-litre fuel cell, Hewland six-speed transaxle. 1 | Aluminium gullwing doors; ask for the build sheet and homologation papers. |
| Carbon door update | Mid-2012 onward | FIA approved carbon doors in place of the original aluminium doors. 3 | Door skins and structure in carbon; earlier cars may have been retro-fitted. |
| 45th Anniversary | 2012 | Five hand-built cars in designo magno graphite matt paint, carbon seat shell on the passenger side, engine badge signed by Bernd Schneider and an AMG fitter. 6 | '1 of 5' badges on seats and centre console, '45 Years of Driving Performance' logo on the doors, certificate signed by Schneider. |
| 2013 update | 2013–2014 | 9 kg weight saving using carbon pedal-box slide housings and lightening holes in non-structural frame parts. BoP restrictors went from 2 x 34.5 mm (2012) to 2 x 36 mm (2013) in Super GT. 3 | Carbon pedal-box housings and drilled frame parts; ask which update kits were fitted and by whom. |
| Late-build cars | 2013–2014 | Final production cars. One New Zealand car is described as the last of eight SLS track cars AMG built in 2013–2014. 15 | High chassis numbers; chassis 135 is described as one of the last built. |
Known issues
- Engine mileage is often unclear — Seller cannot show kilometres since the last engine service. A Rowe engine ran 50,000 km without a rebuild, but that was a record durability run, not a service plan. 5
- Replacement shells after accidents — Chassis 136 received a new shell at 9,864 km of its 11,300 km. A shell swap changes what the chassis number really covers. 12
- Hewland transaxle and torque tube condition — The gearbox sits at the rear axle and is driven through a torque tube with a carbon shaft at engine speed. Rebuilds were done by HWA on at least one car. 1
- Mixed specification between cars — Early cars had aluminium doors; carbon doors came in mid-2012 and a weight-saving update in 2013. Cars may carry any mix of these parts. 3
- Restrictor and BoP set-up — Engine output was set by restrictors under BoP, and sizes changed between seasons. A car may arrive with restrictors that do not match the series you plan to enter. 3
- Non-standard data and fuel systems — Some cars carry added data loggers, refuelling connectors and 24-hour fuel systems. Chassis 136 had an extra Magneti Marelli 20-channel data system. 12
Checklist before you buy
- Match the chassis number to its race history and ask about any shell replacement. — At least one car had a new shell fitted late in its life, which matters for value and historic acceptance. 12
- Get written kilometres since the last engine and gearbox service, and who did the work. — One documented car had its gearbox rebuilt by HWA 1,000 km before sale. Without such records the next bill is a guess. 12
- List which updates are fitted: door material, 2013 weight-saving parts, data system. — The car changed in 2012 and 2013, so two SLS GT3s can differ in parts and weight. 3
- Count the spares package: spare engine, gearbox, wheel sets and body panels. — Dealer cars have been offered with a spare engine and gearbox or several wheel sets, and this changes the real price. 13
- Ask for the fuel-cell bladder's manufacture and certification dates. — The car uses a 120-litre CFRP tank with an inner bladder; an old bladder may need replacing before racing. 1
- Sit in the car before buying. — The carbon seat shell is fixed; pedals and steering wheel slide to fit the driver, so check your size works. 3
- Confirm with the organiser that the car is accepted for your target series. — Masters lists the SLS GT3 for its Endurance Legends grid, but historic rules and windows change from year to year. 16
Running costs 11
| Rebuild interval | No official interval found. Rowe Racing ran one engine 50,000 km without a rebuild between 2011 and 2014, which was treated as a record 5. |
|---|---|
| Typical rebuild cost | unknown; no public price found for an M159 GT3 engine or Hewland gearbox rebuild. |
| Consumables | Tyres on 18-inch centre-lock wheels, steel brake discs on aluminium hats, fuel-cell bladder 21. |
| Spares availability | The M159 engine family was also used in the later Mercedes-AMG GT3, with about 400 M159 race engines built in total 11. HWA supplied parts and service at launch 1. Current supply of SLS-specific body and chassis parts was not confirmed. |
Where it races today
- Masters Endurance Legends (MEL1) · GT3 Cars (2015-2019) — The 2026 eligibility list names the Mercedes-AMG SLS GT3. The series accepts earlier GT3 cars case by case. 16
- Peter Auto Endurance Racing Legends, Daytona Classic, Sebring Classic, Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion · GT — Listed as eligible by a dealer selling chassis 106; confirm with each organiser. 13
Market prices
- New car list price, excluding VAT: 334,000 EUR (2010-08) 1
- 45th Anniversary edition, new, including VAT: 450,000 EUR (2012-10) 6
- CLASSIC.COM market benchmark for the SLS AMG GT3: 586,798 USD (2026-11) 17
Public sale results for SLS AMG GT3 race cars are scarce; most dealers list price on request. No SLS AMG GT3 car was listed on racingcarnetwork.com in November 2026 18.
Reference prices are dated and sourced; live asking prices are in the listings above.
Frequently asked questions
What gearbox does the SLS AMG GT3 use?
It uses a Hewland six-speed sequential gearbox with paddle shift, mounted at the rear axle. A torque tube with a carbon shaft joins it to the engine, as on the road car. A multi-plate locking differential sits inside the gearbox. The road car's Getrag dual-clutch unit was not used.
Is it the same engine as the road SLS?
It is the M159 6.2-litre V8 with dry-sump lubrication, sharing its design with the road car. Output depends on restrictors set by Balance of Performance; Rowe Racing quoted about 550 hp in 2014. The same engine family went into the later Mercedes-AMG GT3, which helps parts supply.
Where can I race an SLS AMG GT3 today?
Masters Historic Racing names it on the 2026 eligibility list for Masters Endurance Legends. One dealer also lists Peter Auto's Endurance Racing Legends and US historic events such as the Daytona and Sebring Classics. Always confirm with the organiser, because historic windows and accepted specifications change.
What is special about the 45th Anniversary cars?
Only five were offered, in October 2012, at €450,000 including VAT. They have matt graphite paint, '1 of 5' badges and a passenger-side carbon seat shell. The engine badge is signed by Bernd Schneider and an AMG fitter. Ask for Schneider's signed certificate when one is offered.
How many were built?
Sources differ. Wikipedia gives 86 sold, citing a 2019 article, while The Drive put the total at about 100 SLS race cars in 2022. Production ran from 2011 deliveries to late cars built in 2014. Treat any 'one of X' claim from a seller with care.
Sources
- Sales launch for the SLS AMG GT3 (Mercedes-Benz press release), Daimler / autoevolution (2010-08) — Price, HWA role, deliveries, LHD only, transaxle, BoP, fuel tank, brakes, parts support
- Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 revealed (press release text), Automotive Addicts (2010-03) — Launch date, brakes, calipers, wheel sizes
- GT3 anatomy (2): Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, auto sport web (2013-08) — M159 6,208 cc, Hewland gearbox, weight, carbon doors 2012, 2013 update, restrictors, Super GT results, seating
- New Merc Gullwing racer, Car Enthusiast (2010-03) — Hewland six-speed paddle-shift gearbox, limited-slip differential
- ROWE Racing: 50,000 km without engine rebuild, Endurance-Info (2014-10) — Engine durability, power and torque figures, 2014 N24 third place
- Exclusive special edition: AMG presents limited edition of SLS AMG GT3, ADAC Motorsport (2012-10) — 45th Anniversary details and price
- Mercedes-Benz SLS GT3 45th Anniversary model, evo (2012-10) — 45th Anniversary build count and price cross-check
- New one-make trophy for Gullwing drivers, ADAC Motorsport (2014-11) — 2015 AMG Customer Sports Championship for SLS GT3
- Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Wikipedia (2026) — Race wins (VLN 2010, Dubai 2012-13, Bathurst 2013, Spa 2013), series raced, number sold
- Bernd Schneider steers Mercedes to first Nurburgring 24 Hour victory, Speedcafe (2013-05) — 2013 Nürburgring 24 Hours win and drivers
- Inside Mercedes-AMG's rolling bank of GT race car parts, The Drive (2022-10) — About 100 SLS race cars, about 400 M159 engines shared with AMG GT3
- 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, Lot 222, chassis 136, Iconic Auctioneers (Silverstone Auctions) (2015-07) — Shell replacement, mileage, HWA gearbox rebuild, data system, spares
- Mercedes-AMG SLS GT3, chassis 106, Ascott Collection (2026) — Race history, spares package, dealer eligibility claims
- 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, chassis 135 (Mecum lot S139), ClassicCars.com (2017-01) — Late-build car, 2015 Pirelli World Challenge use
- $1.6m car with no turbos, no gimmicks, Autofile (2026-03) — 2014 late-build car, asking price, spare engine
- Masters Endurance Legends MEL1 eligibility list 2026, Masters Historic Racing (2026-04) — Historic eligibility
- Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 market, CLASSIC.COM (2026-11) — Market benchmark value
- racingcarnetwork.com search: SLS, Racing Car Network (2026-11) — No current SLS AMG GT3 car listings
Did you know
In the marketplace now
View all →No exact Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 (2011–2015) listed right now — here is closely related machinery on the market.
1974 Porsche 911
1970 Lotus Europa
AUDI RS6 C8 Avant TFSI quattro Tiptronic 600CV
1984 IMSA GTU Mazda RX7 Roger Mandeville
Cupra Leon TCR SEQ Hillclimb
Osella Pa2000 Evo Honda Mugen 330hp
Alfa Romeo GT Junior 1.6 ASI 1972
Formula Ghipard 1000 Suzuki K5
Parts, spares & upgrades
Browse parts →
2019-2022 Mercedes Sprinter 2500 3500 3.0L Diesel Engine
Mercedes Sprinter OM642.898 3.0L Factory Reman Diesel Engine OEM
2019-2022 Mercedes Sprinter 2500 W907 3.0L Diesel OM642 Engine Motor 25K OEM
