News that the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT3 race car employs the same engine as the old SLS AMG->ke2504 might have left a few motorsport fans feeling disappointed, but the Germans had plenty of reasons to make such a decision. Unlike the new 4.0-liter V-8 in the road-going AMG GT,->ke4853 the M159 motivating the SLS AMG already has four years of racing under its belt and excellent records as far as reliability, maintenance, and low running costs go. The 4.0-liter V-8 will likely replace it once Stuttgart does some proper endurance testing, but, until that happens, the M159 remains Mercedes'->ke187 GT3 class weapon of choice.

It'll take several months until we can asses how the AMG GT3/M159 engine combo fares at the track, but there's at least one fact we can be sure of: the new race car will sound as menacing as its predecessor. If in doubt or if you simply aren't familiar with the 2011 SLS AMG GT3, we have a video for you. Shown above is the Mercedes-AMG GT3 taking laps at the Nurburgring->ke999 during private testing. It won't be ready for its official debut until early 2016, but the AMG GT3 looks and sounds as if it could join the SLS AMG GT3 in next month's 3 Hours of Sliverstone in the Blancpain Endurance Series. Hit the play button and be prepared to be amazed.

Mercedes-AMG GT3

Check out our full review of Mercedes' new race car here.