Mercedes factory legend Bernd Schneider has smashed his production car lap record at Bathurst.
Driving the AMG GT R, Schneider clocked a rapid 2:16.5s in the second of two officially timed manufacturer demo sessions as part of the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.
It obliterated the previous record set by Schneider of 2:24.03s set in 2015 in a Mercedes AMG GT S.
“I knew it would be a fast car, but it really feels at home here at Mount Panorama,” Schneider said.
Also during the manufacturer demonstration session, a Mercedes-AMG C 63 S sedan piloted by AMG factory driver Maro Engel posted a lap of 2:29.7s, which is believed to be the fastest lap ever for a production car sedan around the challenging Mount Panorama circuit.
“The AMG C63 S is so comfortable and easy to drive on the road, once you hit the racetrack it’s like it sees red and turns into a monster,” Engel said.
The Mercedes-AMG GT R will go on sale to Australian customers in July 2017 with the record-setting model priced at $349,000 (MRLP).
The AMG GT R is powered by a twin-turbo V8 engine that develops 430kW and 700Nm of torque.
VIDEO: Onboard with Bernd Schneider as he sets a new production car Bathurst lap record.