In 2006 the GT3 class was added to the FIA GT roster and immediately featured a big grid. Thanks to the, at times controversial, performance balancing, a variety of production based machinery can race wheel to wheel. A fine example of the diversity in the class are the two new cars launched by Mercedes-Benz and BMW this week.
During the market introduction of the road car, Mercedes-Benz surprised the world with the SLS AMG GT3. It comes too late for the upcoming season with the first deliveries not expected until the end of the year. The company's first GT3 racer features a massive rear wing and a deep chin spoiler. It will use the same 6.3 litre engine as the production car and a paddle-operated six speed sequential gearbox. The exact performance of the engine well depend on several performance balancing sessions to be conducted by the FIA's official test drivers. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 will definitely be a striking addition to the GT3 grid.
The BMW Z4 GT3 was first tested earlier in the month and will already be available for the 2010 season. The biggest change compared to the road going version is found under the bonnet. In road trim a six cylinder is the biggest available engine but that did not stop the Motorsport department from fitting a V8 in the new GT3 racer. It is not just any V8; it is the exact same engine as used by the M3 GT2 car. BMW expect it to produce 480 bhp and that power will be transferred to the rear wheels through a six-speed gearbox. The new Z4 GT3 can be seen in action in national and international GT3 championships as well as in big endurance races like the Nurburgring 24 Hours.

Enjoy the links:

2010 BMW Z4 GT3 - Images, Specifications and Information

2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 - Images, Specifications and Information

2010 Subaru Impreza WRX - Images, Specifications and Information