The Mercedes AMG GT is a new Porsche 911-rivalling sports car carrying the three-pointed star. It won’t get the fancy upwards opening gullwing doors of the SLS AMG but will get a design inspired by that car, featuring a long bonnet and cab-back profile.
We’re expecting it to use a chopped down version of the same chassis used in the SLS, which will help to cut costs. We’ve seen spy shots of the AMG GT, confirming how it’ll look and also revealing a set of narrow LED tail lights. So far we’ve only seen shots of the coupe version and our sources have suggested that no roadster variant is being developed for the time being.
Mercedes AMG GT
Mercedes AMG GT price & release date
We’re expecting to see the AMG GT launched late in 2014, following a full reveal at the Paris Motor Show in September.
The curvaceous AMG GT will use similar proportions to the SLS AMG, but be pitched at a much lower price point of around £120,000 when it arrives in showrooms towards the end of this year.
Mercedes AMG GT
Mercedes AMG GT teaser pictures
We already have a good idea of the car’s silhouette from teaser spy pictures of the car, but two official sketches depict a Porsche 911-style rear that flows seamlessly from the highest point of the roof into the curve of the boot lid.
Long, horizontal taillights, an upswept crease along the flanks and long bonnet stretching out in front of the driver can all be seen.
Wraparound horizontal taillights and Mercedes’ trademark front end are also partially visible in a second teaser, further suggesting the SLS replacement will echo the S63 AMG Coupe’s styling.
By brightening the image as we have here (below), it’s possible to make out the air vents and wheel design, as well as the new Mercedes’ bulging flanks and upswept crease marking out the lower side panel.
Mercedes AMG GT interior
Mercedes AMG GT interior
The luxurious cabin clearly takes some inspiration from the S-Class, with a tablet-style display, a bank of classy air-vents in the dash and a powerful Burmester stereo visible in the doors – but there are some great sporty touches that make it worthy of the huge AMG badge embossed on the leather armrest.
Figure-hugging sports seats and an Alcantara trimmed flat-bottomed steering wheel both set the racy tone, and the wide centre console has four banks of individual switches for adjusting the suspension, ESP, sports exhausts and gearbox seetings – and there is an enticing dial with ‘race’ written on it too.
Two-tone leather across the dash and doors completes the racy look, and there is real carbon fibre on the gear surrounds, vents and door panels as well. Just above the metal gear selector is a touch pad control and track wheel for the infotainment system, which made its debut on the new C-Class.
The centre console is designed to mimic a V8’s two banks of cylinders, while the switched for the sat-nav and heating controls are, unusually, placed in the roof lining above the driver’s head.
Mercedes AMG GT Engine
Mercedes AMG GT engine
Mercedes has revealed full details and a video on the newly developed 4.0-litre Bi-Turbo V8 engine that will power the forthcoming Mercedes AMG GT.
In an age where fuel efficiency is king, even powerhouse AMG can’t break away from the current downsizing trend. But there is still plenty to get excited about – the new 4.0-litre BiTurbo develops more power and more torque than the outgoing 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 and naturally aspirated 6.3-litre V8.
The V8 produces a storming 503bhp and 650Nm of torque, without any electronic or synthetic enhancement to the exhaust note.
Peak power is available at 6,250rpm, while maximum torque can be accessed from as little as 1,750rpm. AMG insiders revealed the engine has the potential to develop more power, but wouldn’t divulge just how far they plan to take it.
The smaller capacity engine and addition of two turbochargers drastically boosts efficiency, but while AMG is holding full technical specs close to its chest we’ve been told to expect above 28mpg – 6.6mpg over the SLS AMG. By fitting the two turbochargers inside the banks of the V8, the engine is able to breath easier, and can also be placed 55mm lower to the ground, which helps reduce the car’s centre of gravity.
The engine will also sit on active engine mounts, which monitor its position and adjust it accordingly to avoid upsetting the balance of the car. A forged aluminium crankcase and pistons, plus a dry sump, also helps to reduce weight and centre of gravity.
One of the biggest challenges concerning a turbocharged engine is cooling. The ‘hot V’ arrangement, as the turbo positioning is called, helps, but AMG has also fitted a trick bonnet that blows out hot air to improve cooling when the car is travelling at low speeds.
Via: Auto Express.co.uk
