Mercedes-AMG's engineers have quite a knack for doing things differently compared to their rivals. In Formula 1, they entered the turbo hybrid era with an unusual split-turbo power unit, which proved to be the most efficient and most powerful layout, which saw them sweep both the drivers' and manufacturers' championships since 2014.

They also did the same when it comes to their sports cars. Whereas other car manufacturers either had a mid-engine or a rear-engine layout when it comes to designing their supercars, Mercedes-AMG went the other way around and put their engine up front. And guess what, they went faster around the Nürburgring Nordschleife by a substantial margin. The AMG GT R is a refreshing sight in a sea of mid-engined supercars, and here are some facts about the car called "The Beast from Green Hell".

8 Handcrafted Engine

047-mercedes-amg-gtr (evo)
via evo

One characteristic that the Mercedes-AMG GT R possesses is that its very heart was hand-built through a "one person, one engine" philosophy, that puts more attention to detail in every engine component that the car has. Each engine is given a unique tag bearing the name of the builder, that serves as a seal of quality.

amg engine (youtube)
via youtube

As a result, the AMG GT R produces 577 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque from a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine called the M178. The engine utilizes a "hot-inside V" configuration, where the exhaust manifold and turbos are found between the two cylinder banks for reducing turbo lag and better engine packaging.

RELATED: An Inside Look At The History Of Mercedes-AMG

7 7-Speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT

speedshift (autoevolution)
via autoevolution

The AMG GT R boasts a 47-53 weight distribution. With a front-mounted engine, how is it that the weight is biased more towards the rear? It's simple. Mercedes bolted the 7-Speed AMG Speedshift Dual-Clutch Transmission at the back through a transaxle configuration.

speedshift (slashgear)
via slashgear

Its engine is connected to the transmission by a torque tube with a driveshaft made out of carbon fiber, forming a rigid connection between the two, that provides mutual resistance to bending and torque.

RELATED: Mercedes-AMG GT R Challenges Lambo Huracan In The Half-Mile

6 Rear Wheel Steering

rear steering (motorauthority)
via motorauthority

Based on images alone, the AMG GT R is a huge car. However, it is surprisingly agile and changes direction quickly, thanks to rear-wheel steering. As a matter of fact, it is the first Mercedes-AMG in history to have that impressive tech.

The AMG GT R getting the tail out
topgear.com

It uses electronic steering actuators that moves the rear wheels independently, giving a change in toe angle of up to 1.5 degrees. Below 62 mph, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to decrease the car's turning radius. Once the car goes above 62 mph, the rear wheels then turn in the similar direction with the front wheels to aid in high-speed stability.

RELATED: Deutsche Viper: The AMG GT R Is Germany’s Super-Serpent

5 AMG Dynamic Select Drive System

drive select (slashgear)
via slashgear

In typical AMG fashion, the Mercedes-AMG GT R is equipped with the Dynamic Select Drive System, which gives the driver to switch between five driving modes — Individual, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Race.

drive select (mercedes-benz)
via mercedes-benz

What it does is it basically alters how the steering response, throttle and transmission shift mapping performs depending on the driving conditions. Furthermore, the suspension is also electronically programmed to provide the suitable damping based on the mode you're in.

4 9-Mode AMG Traction Control System

traction control (autoworld)
via autoworld

One thing that's unique to the AMG GT R from the lower GT models is that it has the 9-Mode AMG Traction Control System — a technology usually seen in the GT3 versions of the Mercedes supercar.

traction control (youtube)
via youtube

The driver could manually adjust as to when the traction control should intervene whenever the drive mode is set to Race mode. Turn the knob to the left for some sideways drifting action, or turn it clockwise to keep the rear tires in check when exiting a corner.

3 Carbon Fiber Parts

Rear 3/4 view of the AMG GT R
netcarshow.com

Aside from the torque tube and the driveshaft mentioned earlier, the GT R's front fenders, roof, engine bay and internal cross braces are also made out of carbon fiber to save weight and lower the car's center of gravity.

via Motor1

It is no Porsche 911 GT3 RS when it comes to being lightweight, but the AMG GT R significantly undercuts its rivals in the weight department. In comparison, the 3,594 lb Mercedes-AMG weighs almost 400 lbs less than the Nissan GT-R Nismo.

2 Optional Carbon Ceramic Brakes

carbon ceramic brakes (topgear philippines)
via topgear philippines

The AMG GT R comes standard with the conventional ventilated steel rotors, which actually does well in anchoring down the powerful supercar. However, for those looking to do an extended period of time at the track should opt for the carbon ceramic brakes.

carbon ceramic brakes (ccclaguna)
via ccclaguna

As an $8,000 option, the carbon ceramic brakes provide better stopping power and is less susceptible to brake fade. Furthermore, 33 lbs of weight is shaved off the car when these are fitted.

1 GT R Pro

2020 Mercedes AMG GT R Pro
Via bringatrailer.com

If the GT R was already called a beast, the GT R Pro is even beastlier. It's 7 seconds faster than the "standard" GT R, with the same 577 hp 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo powerplant.

2020 Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro Is The Company’s Most Track Ready Car
via Mercedes

How did that happen? Well, it's because it's more GT3-ish than the GT R. The GT R Pro went on a weight-saving diet, but gained 200 lbs of downforce at 155 mph thanks to its more aerodynamic exterior. Furthermore, a roll-cage, a four-point harness and a fire extinguisher comes as standard to the GT R Pro, making it safer and a lot more menacing than the GT R.