Prepared and run by experienced outfit Garth Walden Racing, the super quick AMG hatchback was the first of its kind to race in Australia and despite ultimately failing to finish, performed superbly on its debut appearance last Easter.

Driven by Garth Walden and Ben Porter, the car started second, set the fastest lap and led the race early before retiring after 48 laps.

Walden has confirmed the car will return in 2017 following the impressive debut performance.

“We are very keen to return and show what the car is capable of with a year’s worth of development and experience,” the Porsche Carrera Cup racer and World Time Attack champion said.

“Ron [Searle, the car owner], myself and the whole team are keen to be back to show what it can do. The car went into the race this year with absolutely no testing and no development, so while it was disappointing to not finish thanks to the issues we had, it wasn’t a massive surprise.

“We were still able to show how fast the car was and that it will be a really good thing for the race. With the work we’ve already put in it will be more reliable and a faster car.”

The Garth Walden Racing team has already tested the car, seeking to understand the issues that cost them dearly in 2016.

“A lot of the durability issues with modern Production Cars are electronic and that’s what hurt us this year,” Walden explained.