Mercedes-AMG rang in the 2015 motorsport season with the sonorous sound of the V8 engine: the new Mercedes-AMG GT3, with which the Mercedes-Benz sports car and high-performance brand is systematically expanding its motorsports presence.

Mercedes AMG GT3

Ooh, the new AMG GT. A half-price SLS?

If you mean it feels like a cheapened version of that fancy-doored old intimidator, then, er, no. It actually feels better in many ways.

Mercedes AMG GT

Big talk. So what sort of car is it?

Well it costs 911 money, or 911 Turbo money for this S version: £110,495 plus £11,985 for the three option packs I’ll be mentioning. It’s a two-seater with its V8 in the front-mid position, which also puts the GT toe-to-toe with the Jaguar F-Type R and Corvette and Aston Martin Vantage. It’s a trad layout, and the AMG GT certainly tickles some very old-school sports-car pleasure centres. But be in no doubt it’s high-tech too.

Start from the beginning please.

Well, some of the GT is actually closely descended from the SLS. The central part of the aluminium body structure is closely related. Almost all the body is aluminium, by the way, helping to keep it light.

The front suspension is also from the SLS, though the rear end is new. It’s the same width as the SLS (and feels wide for sure) but handily shorter both in the wheelbase and overall. Thanks to a hatchback, it can carry a useful amount of stuff.

Of course the outside is all-new, and it has normal doors instead of gullwings, which again cuts weight. And though we loved the drama of the gullwings, we’d have to admit they were a bit of an ache to use. So overall the GT is just 1570kg. That’s about 100kg less than the aluminium F-Type R or the mixed-metal 4WD Porsche Turbo.

What about the engine?

The turbo V8 might only be four litres, but it’s immensely charismatic, and makes 510bhp in the S model. (The ‘basic’ GT, on sale six months later, is 462bhp, only because of lower boost.)

Sure, there’s noticeable lag below about 3500rpm, and the revs run out at a disappointingly moderate (but par for a turbo) 7000rpm. In between those two, though, you’ve got an engine that answers the accelerator with quick and epic force.

And it sounds like an AMG engine always has, all hard-edged V8 baritone bark. It’s not silly though: if you don’t press the loud pipes button it’ll proceed without shaking the windows of every house in the parish. The rival Jag, in particular, is embarrassingly indiscreet if you’re leaving your own street early in the morning.

The tech of the new AMG engine bears a quick look. Its twin turbos are packed into the centre of the V, right under the bonnet, so the intake side of the cylinder heads is outboard. This makes the whole engine more compact. There’s also a dry sump, to lower the crank, and help lubrication in hard cornering. Because it’s so small, the engine can be dropped down and moved back well behind the front wheel centreline. That’s great for the car’s agility.

Also, the gearbox is at the back axle, so overall the weight bias is strongly to the rear. Sure enough, you get keen turning into corners and terrific traction out of them them.

Any more cleverness?

Much. Among others, the optional adaptive powertrain mounts. As well as standard adaptive suspension dampers on the S, there are optional electronically controlled mounts for the engine at the front and gearbox at the back. These are firmed up when you’re swinging the wheel or the car’s riding a crest or dip, but stay soft for refinement going gently.

I didn’t get to drive a car without them, but clearly keeping these substantial weights from flopping about in the car will have a major effect. And the GT S does feel brilliantly controlled through the sort of transitions we’re talking about.

There’s an e-diff, as is par for the course on new cars like this. AMG seems to have done an especially good job of its calibration: it locks up just the right amount if you find yourself lifting off in the first part a bend, so the back wheels follow a reassuringly stable and buttoned-in line, and you can concentrate on steering for the exit.

And there’s an option of carbon-ceramic brakes. Though I wouldn’t tick them unless you have some sort of inferiority complex, or are planning to head for the track a lot. They’re infuriatingly grabby at the top of their travel.

Sounds as if you like the chassis?

The old SLS had reactions so whipcrack they scared me. The GT S still reacts fast, which is good. But it’s much happier to impart informative sensations before it does anything at the extremes. And it’s more controllable when it does start to slip.

The steering isn’t too nervous off-centre, and car pivots quickly but progressively into any curve. Plus there’s plenty of good old-fashioned steering feel as you load it up. And yes you get plenty of choice about the attitude via the right pedal. The GT isn’t twitchy, and there’s lots of traction to keep things neat.

This AMG never gets sloppy, as you’re sitting on taut springs and iron-control dampers. What joy all this reassurance brings, as it tells you where the limits are, and invites you nudge to them, and gradually broach them, without needing supernatural skills. Oh and you can do all that while still keeping the ESP in its ‘sport’ rather than death-or-glory ‘off’ position.

And fast?

Oh yes. AMG actually quotes a 0-60 time as well as a 0-62. They’re 3.6 and 3.8 seconds: properly, properly fast. The engine’s massive torque in the mid-ranges means it’s not even that fussy about what gear it’s in, which is just as well because you meet an infuriating delay when you pull the up paddle near the redline. I kept bouncing off the limiter in manual mode.

On the road you won’t be giving the accelerator its maximum excursion for long, because 100mph is something that happens in just a few beats of your – thumping – heart.

Sounds pretty convincing.

As a very fast sports car, it is. But AMG also makes lofty claims for the GT as everyday transport, and there it stumbles. Those adaptive powertrain mounts come as an option pack that also firms up the suspension. Firm eh? It’s borderline hard, banging about in suburban driving and across potholes, even if it does relax as you speed up. This, by the way, is in ‘comfort’ suspension mode.

Then you’re tiptoeing around those over-keen brakes, and bleeding off the other foot to anticipate a transmission that doesn’t release or engage its clutch smoothly enough for gentle stops and departures. Especially when the accelerator tips in too urgently for that sort of driving.

One of the great delights of a Porsche, strangely, is the way its powertrain behaves with unmatched precision when you’re going slowly. In the same circumstances the AMG feels short of comportment. And on coarse surfaces its road noise is diabolical, which is a pity as it frets away at the efforts of the magnificent (if optional) Burmester stereo.

Cabin looks a nice place to be, though?

Oh yes. The leccy seats have loads of support and enough adjustment, and there’s a good view out, so the basics are covered. Plus it’s beautifully built, with a great choice of materials.

It parades very definite sports-car priorities in its control layout. The area around the transmission lever is almost entirely occupied by mode buttons for suspension damping, exhaust flaps, ESP setting and transmission setup, plus the portmanteau comfort/sport/race knob that affects all these and more. No menu-diving for those then.

Instead, stereo functions that would normally go on knobs are elbowed aside, reached only via screen menus or voice activation.

So despite the name, it’s sports-car front and centre, and GT a little way back?

Yup. AMG is desperate to prove that despite all those overpowered elephantine barges that carry its name, the G and the S and the GL, the real essence of the company is the living heart of a bunch of racers. This car is their flag-waver. And at that it does a rather wonderful job.

Via: Top Gear

Cigarette Racing Team and Mercedes-AMG present the latest model of their long-standing cooperation at this year’s Miami International Boat Show: the Cigarette Racing 50 Marauder GT S Concept – the maritime incarnation of the new Mercedes-AMG GT S sports car, which is also on display in Miami. The high-performance boat with the most powerful production twin engine within the Cigarette portfolio is inspired by the hallmark design and the full-blooded motorsport technology of the Mercedes-AMG GT S. Painted in the exclusive AMG Solarbeam colour and sporting matte black highlights, the concept boat makes unmistakable references to the dynamic character of the sports car from Affalterbach.

Cigarette Racing 50 Marauder GT S Concept

The next stage of the Mercedes-AMG GT evolution is here in the form of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 customer sport racing car.  The new AMG GT3 will further expand the customer sports program that first began in 2010. Stay tuned for more details as this exquisite example of racetrack performance will debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

Mercedes-AMG GT3

Mercedes-AMG GT3

The car you dreamed of as a child, has just been overtaken. Watch the vehicle that was handcrafted by racers in action, the Mercedes-AMG GT.

[Combined fuel consumption: 9.6-9.3 l/100km | CO2 emission: 224-216 g/km*]

The storybook legend of two woodland creatures racing for forest dominance gets a fresh, modern spin thanks to a special guest appearance by the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S, the all-new high performance sports car built by Mercedes-AMG engineers to take on all challengers. It’s a fun, thrilling, action-packed tale featuring a hare, a tortoise and 503 horses.

Update: The Big Race was a thrilling contest with a surprise winner, and Jerry Rice has an exclusive interview with the champion, the Tortoise.

With the new Mercedes-AMG GT model range, the Mercedes-AMG sports car brand is moving into a new segment. As the second sports car developed entirely in-house by Mercedes-AMG, the GT has everything you would expect from an authentic Mercedes-AMG, from the characteristic styling, thoroughbred motorsport technology to the optimum weight distribution.

Starting at an MSRP of $129,900,* the Mercedes-AMG GT S features a long list of standard features, including Nappa Leather, Keyless-GO, COMAND, Collision Prevention Assist PLUS, Parktronic, 8 Airbags, 19″ Front / 20″ Rear wheels, AMG Adaptive Suspension, LED Headlamps, Power heated/memory AMG Performance Seats, Rearview Camera, Red Brake Calipers, AMG 3-Stage ESP, and a Burmester Surround Sound System. The GT S is powered by a 4.0 bi-turbo V8 engine that features an output of 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, delivering an impressive 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds. The U.S. market launch of the GT S is scheduled for April 2015.

The base GT variant goes on sale in the U.S. in Spring 2016 with 456 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque and a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds. More information on pricing and equipment levels for both the Mercedes-AMG GT S and GT will be available closer to their respective launch dates.

2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S

The Mercedes-AMG GT campaign is beginning its assault on the hearts of sports car enthusiasts under the banner “Handcrafted by Racers”. Pure fascination and high-end technology: with the new GT, Mercedes-AMG is positioning itself more emphatically than ever as a sports car brand in its own right. The newly developed AMG 4.0‑litre V8 biturbo engine comes in two output variants: as the GT rated at 340 kW (462 hp) and the GT S at 375 kW (510 hp). It enables outstanding performance figures such as acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 310 km/h. The unique driving performance of this thoroughbred sports car combining emotional design with genuine motorsport genes is also the central focus of the integrated worldwide launch campaign.

AMG GT S

“This campaign is aimed at true sports car enthusiasts with high-octane fuel running through their veins. Our customers seek a thoroughbred sports car in which they can push themselves to their limits,” says Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. The marketing mix for the campaign covers all communication channels, with the content tailored in each instance to the target group’s information and entertainment needs. “Our campaign focuses on the essence of what makes the Mercedes-AMG GT so fascinating: the quest for pure, performance-oriented perfection and the desire to rise to challenges and win through. The claim embodying the Mercedes-AMG DNA, ‘Handcrafted by Racers’, serves as a leitmotif which is manifested in various guises throughout all communication activities and channels,” stresses Dr Jens Thiemer, Head of Marketing Communication at Mercedes-Benz Cars. “The campaign authentically positions the new Mercedes-AMG GT as a genuine challenge to the established contenders in its class.”

The 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S makes no secret about its aspirations to take on the Porsche 911 Turbo in performance and style, but now it will try to undercut the rear-engine mainstay in price. But don’t forget about the Brits in this German shuffle, given that the Jaguar F-Type R coupe out-muscles both the Benz and the Porsche with its demonic 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 and sub-$100,000 starting price.

2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S

Let’s stick to the Germans to start. The 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S will start at $130,825 including destination, compared to $152,095 for the 911 Turbo. Affalterbach will pack the AMG GT S with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 producing 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, while the Porsche 911 Turbo utilizes the brand’s iconic flat-six engine, displacing 3.8 liters and turbocharged to 520 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque. The front-engine Mercedes-AMG GT S sprints from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds on its way to a 193-mph top speed, while the 911 Turbo does the deed in 3.2 seconds with a 195-mph top speed. (Not to be ignored, the 2015 Porsche 911 GTS starts at $120,035, complete with its 430-hp flat-six and 3.8-second 0-60-mph sprint when equipped with the PDK automatic gearbox.)

There’s no doubt that both of these luxury track beasts are poised to go head-to-head, but where does the Jaguar F-Type R fit in the mix? Its 550-hp supercharged V-8 puts it at the top of the pack in terms of raw power, which is even more tempting considering the $99,000 cost of entry. It’s arguably the most attractive of the three cars, but it falls a bit flat in the performance department: 4.0 seconds from 0-60 mph and a top speed of 186 mph. It’s heavy on style, but it’s also just plain heavy—3,637 lbs versus 3,516 for the Porsche and a still-unofficial 3,400 lbs for the AMG GT S.

2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S

More good news—the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S comes with a decent suite of standard fare. In addition to the uprated engine and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, you’ll also get AMG brakes, AMG selectable exhaust, AMG adaptive suspension, LED headlamps, heated AMG performance seats, keyless entry, a premium Burmester sound system, Comand infotainment with satellite radio, a rearview camera, park assist, and forward collision warning. There are also plenty of optional colors, interior leather schemes, upgraded wheels, and available carbon ceramic brakes.

Other stand-alone options include a carbon-fiber engine cover, door-sill covers, panoramic roof, various exterior styling trims, and a carbon-fiber or silver fiberglass crossbar. The Lane Tracking package offers blind-spot warning and lane-keep assist technology, while the AMG Dynamic Plus package adds selectable driving modes, dynamic engine and transmission mounts, and an AMG steering wheel.

There will be 386 total examples of the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S Edition 1. This limited-run GT S adds unique styling and aerodynamic bits, a Black Diamond interior, Edition 1 badges, as well as the Lane Tracking, AMG Night Styling, and AMG Dynamics Plus package.

2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S

The 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S goes on sale this April, with the standard AMG GT to follow in Spring 2016.

Via: Automobile Mag

The all-new Mercedes-AMG GT S with a new 4.0-liter biturbo V-8 engine is a sports car in its purest form. Take a closer look into the design, performance and technology of the latest 503-hp masterpiece—in this video:

Mercedes-AMG GT Walk-Around

The Mercedes AMG GT by GSC gets a revised front bumper with a large carbon fiber front spoiler complemented with little winglets and modified headlights, chunky new side skirts, carbon roof and mirror caps, new rear bumper and diffuser, and a GT3-style rear wing.

German Special Customs previews their Mercedes-AMG GT

The design of GSC’s body kit emphasizes on the AMG GT’s character as a pure sports car. This is, in essence, what a Mercedes AMG GT3 would look like, if such a thing was on the cards, which it isn’t. What is on the cards is a hard-core Black Series version which could end up looking something like this.

German Special Customs previews their Mercedes-AMG GT

In terms of performance, German Special Customs is not proposing anything yet, but the Black Series could get a 600-hp version of the existing 4.0 liter bi-turbo unit, plus revised suspension, larger wheels and beefed-up brakes. The car will also be lighter, more agile, and significantly faster.

Via: Motorward

It’s rare that a car aimed so squarely at a competitor does so much so differently and yet comes out with a very similar result. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S is just such a car.

How so? Well, first of all, from the styling (look at that rear end), to the performance, to the pricing, the AMG GT S is ever-so-clearly intended to take on the benchmark of the GT class, the Porsche 911.

It succeeds.

2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S

Utterly different from the 911 in its layout and specification, the AMG GT S nonetheless takes to the road and the track much like its nemesis. It also borrows a lesson or two from the 911’s history, namely: evolution.

Rather than start with a blank sheet for the car that supplants the SLS AMG GT, the team at AMG used much of the previous car’s structure for the AMG GT S (and, coming in 2016, the slightly less powerful AMG GT). The passenger cell is essentially identical, aside from the substitution of normal doors for the previous gullwings; the nose is about 50mm shorter, and the rear end has been tightened up visually, but is functionally the same.

With such a similar starting point, you might think the AMG GT is just a warmed-over version of the SLS. You’d be wrong.

The new engine sits further back, the shorter nose puts the moment of inertia closer to the driver’s centerline, and the improved rear end (especially the electronic locking differential) make for vastly different—and improved—handling characteristics.

Gone is the tendency of the SLS to hang its tail out at every mild provocation. In its place is a supreme level of balance; the driver can steer the AMG GT S with the wheel or the pedals, at will.

Speaking of the steering wheel, the feedback received through its thick-rimmed structure is, quite surprisingly, marvelous. There’s more feel and more feedback than in any electric power steering vehicle we’ve driven, up to and including the Porsche 911 (though it’s about on par with the rather marvelous feel of the 981 Boxster/Cayman duo).
Part of the AMG GT S’s charm is owed to the Dynamic Plus package, which includes active engine and differential mounts, which help freeze the pendulum effect of the drivetrain in hard cornering, one of the things which contributed to the oversteer tendencies of the SLS. Thanks to their active status, however, the enhanced mounts don’t equate to more noise and vibration in normal driving.

Also new to the AMG GT S is an extra mode on the AMG Dynamic Select controller, labeled “RACE”. While that might be a bit optimistic for a street car, the gang at AMG aren’t really kidding. Twist the knob until the four-letter word is lit, and the AMG GT S barks to announce its increased bite. The exhaust opens up (thanks to a computer-controlled flap in the system), the engine and transmission tunes get sharper, and the suspension dials in the most aggressive performance. Around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, the AMG GT S shines.

2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S

On the track

Squeeze the throttle open as you exit turn 11 and head up the front straight, over the crest / kink that is turn 1, pray to the gods of rear-end traction as you chant “neverliftneverliftneverlift”, aim for the telephone pole, squeeze on the brake, ratchet down the gears, trail off brake as you turn in, and the AMG GT S begins to rotate—ever so predictably—allowing you to straighten the wheel as you nudge the first apex, then the second, rolling back to throttle to squirt toward turn 3.

This kind of handling, feel, and athletic grace isn’t something you expect of a 503-horsepower, twin-turbo V-8, roughly 3,500-lb German Autobahn bomber, regardless of the number of doors or drive wheels. It’s certainly not something you expect out of a car with the Tristar on it. But here it is, delivering true sports car feel in a blindingly fast GT package, eagerly and easily.

Rocket out of 3, grabbing fourth. The dual-clutch snicks off its lightning-fast shifts with an exceptionally low amount of request-to-response lag. AMG had to re-engineer the car’s computer system to get that lag time as low as possible, as it was simply taking too long for the electrons to flow through their former route. It’s effort well spent, making the AMG GT S’s gearbox one of the most utterly responsive we’ve ever driven.

Lift, dab a bit of brake, and back to throttle to maintain even balance through turn 4, squeezing back toward 100% as you pass the apex, using just a bit of the curbing on the exit. You’re now lined up perfectly for turn 5, rapidly approaching 130 mph, then on the brakes hard, kicking down a gear, again picking up throttle just before the apex. As you begin to climb the hill toward 6, the slingshot turn under the bridge, you manage line with the throttle, the e-diff applying power with incredible aptitude, Race mode allowing the rear to slide at just a few degrees of speed-gaining yaw. Another quick dab of brake, back to throttle, pop the apex dip at 6, and you’re up the hill, running straight at the top of the corkscrew, grabbing sixth at the last minute. Over the curbing at the left, hard on the brakes, trailing over the crest and more curbing on the right, down two gears to third, a quick left-right, easing back to full throttle as the car grips up at the bottom headed into 9, grabbing fourth along the way.

Ride the center of the tarmac, as the camber works against you out to the right, trail just a touch of brake at turn in to settle the car, over the curb to grab the apex then back on the throttle to slingshot back to the left for 10. Just touching the limiter, you brake hard, riding the bowl of 10’s banking, careful not to the let the car track out to the off-camber outer curb, back up to 5th gear, getting back to the right early for the brake zone to 11, pulling the left paddle twice to set up the exit and get a fast run down the front straight.

That’s a lap at Laguna Seca in the AMG GT, and it’s a thing of beauty. Even with a passel of pudding-brained journalists in tow, the lead-follow laps with DTM champ Bernd Schneider at the front managed to tick by in just 1:41, a scant 8 seconds off the production car lap record (in a Viper TA) recorded by racing driver Randy Pobst in flat-out testing for Motor Trend

2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S

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The GT is not a direct replacement for the SLS AMG, as it’s positioned at a lower price. But it should be a better car in almost every measurable way, as it’s based on the same basic architecture, uses a similar suspension design, and benefits from five full years of SLS evolution. Remember the McLaren-Mercedes SLR? More money than the SLS, not as good. Progress is a good thing.

Mercedes AMG GT Premiere

The SLS weighed more because Gullwing.

The reinforced aluminum roof panel added weight up high, precisely where you don’t want it, to support the crazy doors. The GT is also shorter and a little smaller than its not-a-predecessor, so it should come in around 3300 pounds, which is 200 less than the standard SLS. The GT’s closed structure also helps make it stiffer by comparison. (And the curvy roof makes it pretty.) Again with the progress.

Three roof options for GT and GT S.

Aluminum is standard, a fixed glass panel with a retractable shade will weigh and cost “more,” and a carbon-fiber panel should be the costliest while saving about a half-pound of weight—not a whole heck of a lot, and it will likely be chosen more for aesthetics. Less weight up high is good.

Yes, the base car’s dampers are like the ones on the Camaro Z/28.

Like we told you a while back, the GT gets fancy spool-valve hydraulic dampers from a company called Multimatic. Turns out they’re only used on the base GT—the GT S gets more-expensive adaptive dampers from Sachs, just like the ones on the SLS. The spool-valve dampers provide very precise control of the damping curves, with different high- and low-speed responses for both bump and rebound.

The dude who was in charge of the chassis came over from [drum roll] Porsche.

Markus Hofbauer got the current 911 Turbo’s setup 95 percent done before leaving for AMG (not shabby for his résumé) and was brought on at Mercedes to make AMGs handle curves. Hofbauer’s first task at AMG was to finish the tuning on the SLS AMG Black Series’ chassis. (Which he nailed.) We can expect great things from the GT, which everyone keeps calling a 911-fighter/beater.

More from ex-Porsche man:

He favors the GT’s hydraulic-damper setup and has big respect for the Multimatic guys. He also says the GT and GT S should sit, performance—and price—wise, between the 911 Carrera S and Turbo. According to Hofbauer, the GT won’t beat the Turbo in terms of performance, but the Porsche doesn’t have the same sort of emotion to it. The Porsche is “too clean.” They’re also much more complex than the AMG GT will be. “You can’t heal mechanical faults with electronics” so you need to start with a solid basis.

Mercedes-AMG, not AMG by Mercedes-Benz.

This will be the first car branded this way, ignoring our boy Karl. Seems they want more of a connection with the (currently super-winning) Formula 1 team and more differentiation from series Benz models. So while the outgoing car was the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT, this one is the Mercedes-AMG GT (S). Get it? Yeah, neither do we.

Black Series = inevitable.

It will happen, likely adopting the carbon-fiber treatment that the SLS AMG Black Series did. And you know they have more power up their sleeve from the new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. It’s just a question of when Mercedes will unleash it, but it will probably happen toward the end of the life cycle.

Via: Road and Track

Mercedes-Benz and AMG have announced a Black Series version of the recently introduced AMG GT will be launched. About a week ago we found out from AMG boss Tobias Moers the AMG GT will be available in Mercedes-Benz’s lineup for 7-8 years and that it will be offered in a few additional variants. Talking to EVO at the Paris Motor Show, Moers has confirmed a Black Series derivative is in the pipeline but refused to specify an approximate launch date.

Mercedes AMG GT

Before a range-topping Black Series, the AMG GT will get other versions and according to EVO the first one to see the light of production day will probably be an open-top model expected to come out sometime in 2015. This estimation contradicts a report issued by Car & Driver saying that although the AMG GT Roadster is “virtually complete”, the model won’t be green-lighted for production because Mercedes-Benz is afraid such a model would cannibalize sales of other open-air models.

Chances are the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series will probably come out around 2018.

Via: WCF

If you’ve been wondering what the new Mercedes AMG GT was going to sound like, the short answer is: AWESOME! This is the GT S version, the top-of-the-line Twin-turbo V8 with 503hp seen here revving with both the sport exhaust mode and normal – and as you can hear the backfire from the exhaust is phenomenal.

Mercedes and AMG have released images and details with the optional carbon fiber & silver chrome exterior packages developed for the AMG GT.

The Carbon Package (€4,700) comes with a carbon front splitter, fender fins, exterior mirror housings and rear diffuser and includes glossy black diamond grille, air intake grille, hood grilles and for the grilles behind the front fenders.

The Silver Chrome Package (€1,130) has a silver chrome front splitter, fender fins, decorative strip in the diffuser and a chrome diamond grille and glossy black intake and hood outlet grilles along with a similar look for the air outlets positioned behind the front fenders. Rounding off the list of cosmetic tweaks is the aluminum silver roofline trim strip above the side windows.

The first Mercedes was a racing car and its most recent successor carries this heritage forward: with the new Mercedes-AMG GT, the Mercedes-AMG sports car brand is moving into a new, top-class sports car segment for the company. The GT is the second sports car developed entirely in-house by Mercedes-AMG. Its front mid-engine concept with transaxle and the intelligent aluminium lightweight construction form the basis for a highly dynamic driving experience. Its likewise newly developed AMG 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine underscores the hallmark AMG driving performance. The first sports car engine with internally mounted turbochargers (“hot inside V”) and dry sump lubrication is configured in two output ratings: as the GT rated at 340 kW (462 hp) and the GT S at 375 kW (510 hp). The new GT combines driving dynamics and first-class racetrack performance with superb everyday practicality and efficiency that sets new standards in the segment.

Mercedes AMG GT

With a power-to-weight ratio of 3.08 kilograms per hp, the Mercedes-AMG GT S self-confidently lines up alongside the very best in its segment. Top-class figures such as 3.8 seconds from zero to 100 km/h and a maximum speed of 310 km/h promise real racetrack performance. The GT also demonstrates that economy and high-performance need not be mutually exclusive with its fuel consumption of 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined).

The models at a glance:

* In conjunction with AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package; ** Ready-to-drive condition (fuel tank 90% full, without driver and luggage); *** Ready-to-drive condition (fuel tank 90% full, with driver (68 kg) and luggage (7 kg); **** Electronically limited.

Mercedes AMG GT

Sporty and extraordinary: the Mercedes-AMG GT S “Edition 1”

The “Edition 1” is a particularly sporty Mercedes-AMG GT S: the extraordinary composition of sporty exterior and interior details is sure to attract everyone’s attention.

• Aerodynamic package in black (larger front splitter with smooth transition to the flics on the side air intakes of the front apron, wheel arch flics at the front, dynamic black trim on the side sill panels, fixed rear aerofoil)
• Carbon-fibre roof
• Night package (diamond grille in black with louvre in high-gloss black, fins in the front wings in high-gloss black, exterior mirror housings in high-gloss black, trim strip in the diffuser insert in high-gloss black, triangular side windows and rear window in heat-insulating tinted glass (country-specific), black tailpipe trim elements)
• 10-spoke light-alloy wheels painted in black and with a high-sheen finish, with tyres in size 265/35 R 19 on 9.0 J x 19 (front) and 295/30 R 20 on 11 J x 20 (rear)
• The pure racetrack feel also dominates the interior:
• Black nappa leather interior with red contrasting topstitching
• Performance seats with integral belt guide in black nappa leather/DINAMICA microfibre with red contrasting topstitching
• Interior Black Diamond package
• Performance steering wheel in DINAMICA microfibre with flattened bottom section, 12-o’clock marking, red contrasting topstitching, steering wheel bezel in silver chrome with “Edition 1” lettering and silver-coloured aluminium shift paddles

Market launch of the AMG GT to commence in the first quarter of 2015

The market launch will commence with the Mercedes-AMG GT S in Europe in the first quarter of 2015, with the GT and other markets to follow.

*Prices for Germany including 19% VAT.

It appears that Mercedes is just the latest in a long line of cloud users to be hacked. A set of Mercedes-AMG GT Edition 1 shots have been leaked to the internet, exposing the very sexy AMG GT with beefed-up styling.

Mercedes AMG GT Edition 1

Mercedes-AMG has yet to reveal official details to the AMG GT Edition 1, however, based on the leaked photos, the Edition 1 is setting itself apart from the standard AMG GT with subtle exterior styling updates. Upgrades include carbon fibre additions to the front air ducts, carbon fibre extensions on the lower outer edges of the front bumper, carbon fibre embellishments within the sills, 10-spoke alloy wheels and an exceptionally prominent fixed rear wing in place of the standard GT’s retractable appendage.

Mercedes AMG GT Edition 1

On the inside, expect to see a series of yellow styling accents and Edition 1 badges.

Under the hood, the AMG GT Edition 1 is expected to feature the same mechanical package as the standard GT S, a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 direct injection petrol engine, which develops 375kW at 6250rpm and 650Nm of torque on a band of revs between 1750 and 4750rpm.

The first Mercedes was a racing car and its most recent successor carries this heritage forward. With the new Mercedes-AMG GT, the Mercedes-AMG sports car brand is moving into a new sports car segment. The GT is the second sports car developed entirely in-house by Mercedes-AMG. Its front mid-engine design with a rear transaxle and use of intelligent aluminum lightweight construction form the basis for a highly dynamic driving experience. Its newly developed AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine underscores the hallmark of AMG driving performance. The first sports car engine from AMG with internally mounted turbochargers (‘hot inside V’) and dry sump lubrication is configured in two output ratings: as a GT with 456 hp (340 kW) and as a GT S with 503 hp (375 kW). The new GT combines driving dynamics and first-class racetrack performance with superb everyday practicality and efficiency that sets new standards in the segment.

Mercedes AMG GT

It has everything you would expect from an authentic Mercedes-AMG sports car – from the characteristic styling, thoroughbred motorsport technology to the optimum weight distribution. The drive system tailored to consistently delivering driving dynamics perfectly complements this set-up. The centerpiece of the Mercedes-AMG GT is thethe new 4.0-liter V8 biturbo, which responds instantly with extreme power at low revs and delivers outstanding performance. Top figures such as 3.7 seconds from 0-60 mph (preliminary) and a top speed of 193 mph (310 km/h), combined with the outstanding driving dynamics will undoubtedly translate into extremely fast laps on the racetrack.

At the same time, this two-seater is a comfortable and reliable companion for everyday motoring thanks to its practical decklid, easily accessible luggage compartment, and high level of comfort on long journeys. It also features an extensive list of Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive assistance systems which ensure the high level of safety expected from Mercedes-AMG.

“With the new Mercedes-AMG GT, we are venturing out into a challenging sports car segment with its top-class competitive field. This is an incentive and motivation for us at the same time to prove to sports car enthusiasts around the world the kind of performance that AMG is capable of”, says Prof Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

“With the new GT we are positioning Mercedes-AMG even more aggressively than to date as a dynamic sports car brand”, says Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. “With its technological substance, the Mercedes-AMG GT fulfils our high aspirations with regard to driving dynamics, agility and sportiness. The new GT is the second sports car developed fully independently by Mercedes-AMG. The car is manufactured according to the motto ‘Handcrafted By Racers’ – which perfectly encapsulates our heritage and our spirit.”

The US will launch first with the 2016 AMG GT S in the spring of 2015

The models at a glance:

Mercedes-AMG GT S

Displacement: 3982 cc

Output 503 hp (375 kW) at 6250 rpm (6000-6500 rpm*)

Max. torque 479 lb. ft. (650 Nm) at 1750-4750 rpm (1750-5000 rpm*)

Acceleration 0-60mph 3.7 s (preliminary)

Top speed 193 mph (310 km/h)***

Mercedes-AMG GT

Displacement: 3982 cc

Output: 456 hp (340 kW) at 6000 rpm

Max. torque: 443 lb.ft (600 Nm) at 1600-5000 rpm

Acceleration 0-60mph: 3.9 s (preliminary)

Top speed: 189mph (304 km/h)***

* In conjunction with AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package; *** Electronically limited.

The combination of aluminum spaceframe, V8 biturbo engine with dry sump lubrication, seven-speed dual clutch transmission in transaxle configuration at the rear axle, locking differential, sports suspension with aluminum doublewishbone suspension and a low curb weight delivers racetrack performance. The front mid-engine design and rear transaxle configuration makes for a beneficial weight distribution of 47 to 53 percent between the front and rear axle. In conjunction with the vehicle’s low center of gravity this translates into extremely agile handling and permits high cornering speeds. With a favorable power-to-weight ratio, the Mercedes-AMG GT self-confidently lines up alongside the very best in its segment.

Mercedes AMG GT

Exterior design: sporty emotion and sensual purity

“The new Mercedes-AMG GT is a sports car in its purist form”, says Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design Daimler AG. “Breathtaking proportions, powerfully sculpted surfaces and flowing lines turn the new AMG into a contemporary sports car which embodies the spirit of the glorious Mercedes sports cars. The GT is a consummate combination of beauty and intelligence.”

The new Mercedes-AMG GT embodies pure sportiness and emotion. The two-seater is characterized by hallmark rear-wheel-drive proportions. The V8 biturbo front mid-engine ensures optimum weight distribution, which forms the basis for superb driving dynamics. The long hood with its pronounced powerdomes, the greenhouse which has been moved far back, the large wheels and broad tail end make up the distinctive looks. Additionally, the large deck lid conceals a practical luggage compartment.

Muscular and dramatic

Gracefully arched surfaces give the Mercedes-AMG GT its sensuous character and the appearance of artist’s sculpture. Viewed from the side, the domeshaped, arched roof line and the frameless doors are eye-catching features. A muscular element sculpted out of the side wall creates a sense of lightness and movement, even when the vehicle is at a standstill. The surfaces and lines of the side wall flow into the rear-end with a dramatic tapered effect. The GT deliberately avoids lines in the shoulder region in favor of one lower down extending into in the rear bumper, which stretches the body and makes it appear lighter. The side air outlets, each with two fins, represent a modern touch on a classic feature of Mercedes-Benz sports cars.

The creative interaction of diverse design elements lends the coupe a superior, Page 4 self-confident front: the three-dimensional diamond radiator grille with central Mercedes star, a broad single lamella and tastefully accented by the AMG logo stands in the center of the front end. LED High Performance headlamps with stylized “eyebrows” as daytime running lamps, side lights and indicators, as well as three separate high-beam reflectors lend the GT its characteristic look.

Large air intakes in the front apron optimize the flow of air to the cooling modules, while the the charictaristic A-wing design with a front splitter makes the sports car appear low-slung and wide. Finshed in high-gloss black on the GT S, the front splitter accentuates the aggressive look. Customers can also customize the exterior and options available include the Exterior Silver Chrome package, the Night package and the Exterior Carbon-Fiber package.

Broad shoulders for an emotional appearance

With its wide stance, broad shoulders, and narrow tail light design, the rear area creates an emotional appearance at any angle. The licence plate bracket is located in the lower part of the bumper, allowing the Mercedes star to be placed prominently on the smooth-surfaced rear deck lid. The rear features an electroncally retractable rear spoiler, which is concealed from view while the car is at a standstill. The black diffuser insert with integrated tailpipes is accented by a trim strip in matte iridium silver inspired by the A-wing design of the front, creates a visual sense of lightness across the entire rear end.

The tail lights underline both the sporty styling of the rear, as well as the attention to detail and sophistication – form and function combine in a unique way to create a perfect unit.

Mercedes AMG GT

Interior: sensuality, emotion and perfection

The interior design also embodies maximum emotion and sensual purity. Radically low, sporty proportions create a unique sense of spaciousness. Clearly drawn components and their authentic materials underscore the dynamic character and create instant excitement: Anyone opening the door discovers an exciting interplay between the deep, sloping dashboard and a dominant, arched high center console; a design which evokes emotions and impresses with its perfection.

The central “aviation design” theme, which is the hallmark of Mercedes-Benz sports cars, has been restyled. The extreme emphasis on the width of the dashboard, which creates an impression of a powerful wing dominates the cockpit of the GT. Four central spotlight-style vents and the individual vents at each end of the dashboard reinforce this impression. The combination of high beltlines, concave-shaped door paneling, low seating position and a dramatic center console design, makes the GT feel like you are slipping into the cockpit of fighter jet.

The dominant center console with features lifted straight from motor racing by virtue of its styling that is reminiscent of a NACA air intake. Its surfaces are available with numerous trim options providing the customer ultimate stylistic choice of silver chrome, matte carbon fiber, high-gloss carbon fiber, black diamond and matte silver fiberglass. Positioned centrally, the free-standing display is easly and quickly seen while driving for minmimal distraction while providing modern stylistic flair. Attention to detail is also echoed in the AMG DRIVE UNIT controls: they are arranged like eight cylinders in a V layout, emphasising the powerful and high-tech impression made by the center console.

Outstanding precision and a superior quality feel thanks to the finest materials with superb workmanship are also apparent on the sports seats, the performance steering wheel and the instrument cluster. The most important control for sports car fans is located in the AMG DRIVE UNIT on the left-hand side: the button for starting the engine, which is aptly labelled “Engine Start Stop” and illuminates in red.

AMG GT

The newly developed AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine

The new high-performance engine springs to life at the push of a button. The 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine was developed specifically for the GT. The innovative eight-cylinder engine boasts outstanding power delivery, performance figures on a par with motor racing, lightweight construction as well as high efficiency and environmental compatibility. It boasts the brand’s hallmark emotive V8 engine sound, along with an immediate response and high pulling power.

The new AMG V8 engine (internal designation M178) stands out with its precise power output, which is easily a match for a naturally aspirated engine. The linear power delivery makes it easy to handle the vehicle even at its limits.

As part of this process, the sophisticated ECU even factors in the current Page 6 driving condition and adjusts the accelerator response depending on the lateral forces generated.

With a displacement of 3982 cc, the V8 uses a range of technologies which are already being used in the 2.0-liter turbo engine in the CLA45 AMG — presently the most powerful, series-production four-cylinder engine in the world. Both engines have the same bore/stroke ratio, providing the basis for high revving ability. The piezo direct petrol injection used at Mercedes-Benz is responsible for the mixture formation. The spray-guided combustion process was further developed in the third generation to meet all future legal requirements.

First sports car engine with ‘hot inside V’ and dry sump lubrication

The new AMG V8 engine has two turbochargers which are not mounted on the outside of the cylinder banks but rather inside the V configuration – experts call it a “hot inside V”. The benefits are a compact engine design, an optimum response from the turbochargers and low exhaust gas emissions thanks to optimum air flow for the close-coupled catalytic converters. The dry sump lubrication also ensures the oil supply even with high lateral forces and allows the engine to be installed lower, thus moving the center of gravity closer to the road and forming the basis for high lateral acceleration. The new Mercedes- AMG V8 biturbo engine is the world’s first sports car engine with ‘hot inside V’ and dry sump lubrication.

Performance exhaust system with fully variable exhaust vanes

The Mercedes-AMG GT S is equipped as standard with an AMG performance exhaust system with fully variable exhaust vanes. This allows the driver to vary the engine sound depending on the selected DYNAMIC SELECT mode. The driver may experience the V8 with a focus on comfort and relaxed, longdistance journeys or with a more powerful, emotive, motorsport-inspired touch. The AMG DRIVE UNIT includes a separate button to control the exhaust vanes directly. The exhaust note of the Mercedes-AMG GT has its own tonal characteristics which denote the car’s membership of the AMG family but that also distinguish it clearly from other high-performance cars.

AMG GT

A tradition of hand-built excellence: “one man, one engine”

The 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine is being made in Affalterbach according to the “one man, one engine” principle. In the AMG engine shop, highly qualified master engine builders assemble the engines by hand according to the strictest quality standards. Once completed, this impeccable standard is clearly visible on the AMG engine plate, as it bears the engine builder’s actual signature. “One man, one engine” ties in with Mercedes-AMG’s unique motorsport genes, which exude innovative strength by virtue of the technology transfer from the racing series – from Formula 1, the DTM to the involvement in customer racing with the SLS AMG GT3.

Seven-speed dual clutch transmission in a rear transaxle configuration

When it comes to the power transmission of the new GT the Mercedes-AMG engineers rely on a combination of front mid-engine and seven-speed dual clutch transmission in transaxle configuration at the rear axle – this layout has already successfully established itself in the SLS AMG. The weight distribution with its ratio of 47 percent (front) to 53 percent (rear) is achieved in part from this configuration. The efficiency, speed and precision of the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission were further optimized for the new sports car. Thanks to the larger gear ratio spread, the pronounced torque plateau of the new V8 turbo engine can be used optimally. The drivetrain’s overall design is ideal for an uncompromising sports car. At the same time, the exacting requirements in terms of everyday practicality, noise level, ride comfort and fuel consumption have been met.

To transfer the driver’s shift commands from the steering wheel mounted paddles even more directly; communication between the engine and transmission has been fundamentally revised. This means that the previous limits of shift performance have been increased while the response time has been substantially decreased. The driver can individually tailor the GT to their wishes with the aid of AMG DYNAMIC SELECT. Various modes are available: “C” (Controlled Efficiency), “S” (Sport), “S+” (Sport Plus) and – entirely new – “I” (Individual). The manual “RACE” drive program reserved exclusively for the GT S optimally adjusts the shift strategy of the dual clutch transmission to the needs of racetrack usage – including fastest shift speeds and highly emotive engine performance. By pressing the “M” button, the driver can activate the manual transmission mode in any drive mode.

Electronic rear-axle locking differential as standard in the GT S

The GT comes as standard with a mechanical rear-axle locking differential which ensures outstanding traction and superb driving safety in all driving conditions. The GT S is fitted as standard with an electronically controlled rearaxle locking differential, which is integrated into the compact transmission housing. The electronic function provides even more sensitive, faster control than the mechanical solution, thus pushing the limits of handling dynamics even further. Not only does it further improve the traction of the driven wheels, but also increases the cornering speeds at the limits. The system operates with a variable locking effect in acceleration and overrun mode, and is perfectly tuned to the various driving conditions and road surface friction coefficients.

Double-wishbone suspension derived from motorsport

Driving dynamics and comfort on long journeys with racetrack performance and everyday practicality; the new Mercedes-AMG GT delivers on all counts. A great deal of attention was paid to the seamless integration of all mechanical and electronic systems during the design, development and testing. Whether it is the suspension, 3-stage ESP®, locking differential, steering, aerodynamics, tires or brakes – with precision engineering the exhilarating sports car driving experience is characterized by superb precision and clear feedback.

The AMG GT offers the perfect combination of design and engineering to produce amazing peforomance on the road as it uses the technological DNA of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, one of the most successful sports cars in recent years. Thanks to the optimum weight distribution of 47 percent (front) to 53 percent (rear), the vehicle’s low center of gravity and the selected suspension layout, the driver benefits from precise steering response, formidable agility, low inertia when changing direction, and outstanding traction. Double-wishbone suspension is used at the front and rear – a technology adopted straight from motorsport.

Wishbones, steering knuckles and hub carriers on the front and rear axle are manufactured entirely out of forged aluminum in order to reduce the unsprung masses. The double-wishbone concept locates the wheel clearly with minimal elastic movements. The high camber and track rigidity not only results in high cornering speeds, but also provides the driver with an optimum road feel when cornering at the limit. An extremely direct connection of the shock absorber on the rear hub carrier reduces vibrations and undesirable wheel load fluctuations. Highly neutral behaviour and defined, predictable the dynamic handling experts at Mercedes-AMG.

Mercedes-AMG GT S with electronically controlled damping

The AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension with electronically controlled damping comes as standard on the Mercedes-AMG GT S. The driver can adjust the damping characteristics at the push of a button in the AMG DRIVE UNIT or by using the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive modes. Three stages are available: “Comfort”, “Sport” and “Sport plus”.

The speed-sensitive sports steering features a variable steering ratio: it enhances vehicle handling and agility at low speeds while maintaining driving safety at high speeds. The power assistance is a particular highlight: it not only responds depending on road speed, but also on the current lateral acceleration and the selected AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive mode. As a result, the driver has a perfect feel for the vehicle thanks to the direct feedback from the road. The standard-fit 3-stage ESP® with the “ESP ON”, “ESP SPORT Handling Mode” and “ESP OFF” functions works in perfect unison with the locking differential and is tuned optimally to the outstanding driving dynamics and safety.

AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package available as an option for the GT S

The Mercedes-AMG GT comes as standard with drivetrain damping. A specially tuned damper reduces undesirable rolling motion of the entire drivetrain including the transaxle transmission, thus substantially improving comfort and agility.

The AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package augments performance and agility even more. It is available exclusively for the GT S and includes dynamic engine and transmission mounts. The engine and transmission mounts assume an important function in the case of a transaxle design: soft mounts improve comfort since they provide more effective decoupling of noise and vibration. Handling and agility benefit, however, from an overall stiffer mount set-up.

Mercedes-AMG resolves these conflicting objectives using dynamic mounts, which adjust their stiffness continuously, and instantly to the respective driving conditions and handling. The special control electronics in the AMG CHASSIS CONTROLLER, (ACC), provide this function. The ACC detects driving situations on the basis of CAN data, is connected to the electronic rear-axle locking differential and thus ensures optimum, balanced driving dynamics. AMG has gone a step further when implementing this technology: the engine and transmission mounts are even actuated independently of each other. The advantage: this innovative solution provides an additional substantial improvement in driving precision and lateral dynamics.

Jochen Hermann, Head of Overall Vehicle Engineering AMG: “The combination of selectively variable mounts and a transaxle drivetrain is unique. Mercedes-AMG is once again promoting leading-edge technology, thus affirming our aspirations in terms of driving performance.”

A specific engine application in the DYNAMIC SELECT “RACE” drive mode and in the manual “M” transmission mode makes the GT S even more dynamic. The package also includes tauter suspension tuning thanks to raised spring and damping characteristics, more negative camber at the front axle as well as an adapted sports speed-sensitive steering. Thus the driver benefits from better performance with optimized handling. The performance steering wheel as well as yellow highlights in the instrument cluster round off the AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package.

Optional ceramic high-performance compound construction brake system

Excellent deceleration characteristics and high resistance to fade come courtesy of the high-performance compound brake system – on the GT with internally ventilated, perforated 14.2″ (360mm) brake discs all-round; on the GT S with discs measuring 15.4″ (390mm) in diameter at the front, to cope with the higher performance, as well as red brake callipers. A ceramic highperformance compound brake system is available for both models as an option. Its advantages: lower weight, longer service life and even better fade resistance thanks to the ceramic brake discs with a diameter of 15.8″ (402mm) at the front and 14.2″ (360mm) at the rear.

Forged wheels and sports tires as an option

As standard, the GT is shod in 10-spoke light-alloy wheels, 9 x 19 inch (front) and 11 x 19 inch (rear), with 255/35 R 19 and 295/35 R 19 tires. On the GT S the dimensions are 9 x 19 inch (front) with 265/35 R 19 tires and 11 x 20 inch (rear) with 295/30 R 20 tires. A host of different design and color variants are available as options for both models, such as the ultralight forged wheels in cross-spoke design, painted matte black, with high-sheen rim edge and fully integrated wheel bolt covers.

In combination with the AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package, specially developed sports tires (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2) are available for the GT S as an option – ideal for aspiring racing drivers on closed-off circuits.

Aluminum spaceframe with intelligent material mix

Mercedes-AMG has gone for an intelligent material mix on the body of the GT. Chassis including greenhouse and body are made out of aluminum alloy, the trunk lid out of steel and the radiator core support is made from magnesium. This extremely light element at the front reduces the inertia ahead of the front axle, thus improving the vehicle’s agility. Over 90 percent of the weight-optimized spaceframe is made out of aluminum components.

The bodyshell weighs 509 lbs. – a benchmark figure in the sports car segment. There were three key objectives during the design and development of the bodyshell structure: optimum strength, low center of gravity and low weight. The high resistance to flex and torsional strength of the entire design enables extreme linear and transverse forces from the drivetrain and suspension to be absorbed and transferred. Unwanted flexibility is thus reduced, with the vehicle responding rigidly and directly. As a result, the driver experiences a sports car with maximum driving dynamics that responds with excellent precision. The aluminum spaceframe also provides the basis for outstanding passive safety.

The Mercedes-AMG GT is produced at Mercedes-Benz in Sindelfingen. The 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine is manufactured at Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach.

Aerodynamics for high balance and effective cooling

Vehicle proportions, weight distribution, drive configuration, handling stability, drag, cooling and wind noise: the aerodynamics of the GT fulfill complex requirements. The high-performance vehicle has been developed aerodynamically with one clear objective in mind: high forces must be transferred onto the road without limiting driving dynamics and performance. Thanks to the aerodynamic configuration, critical driving situations can be avoided – such as with a sudden evasive maneuver at high speed.

The design of the front apron with A-wing and front splitter not only increased Page 12 downforce to a desired level, but also helps route air directly to and from the cooling modules. The flow of cooling air from the aerodynamically shaped brake cooling ducts also specifically improves brake performance.

The design of the extensively encapsulated underfloor guarantees optimum airflow out of the oil cooler in the underfloor area and provides effective airflow for the rear diffuser. As an active component of the aerodynamics, the Mercedes-AMG GT comes with an electronically controlled rear spoiler that is integrated into the design silhouette. Depending on the drive mode, the spoiler extends and retracts at various speeds. In combination with the rear diffuser with no leading edges, the downforce on the rear is maintained in the aerodynamically relevant speed range.

Active and passive safety of the very highest caliber

The brand with the star boasts the hallmark active and passive safety of the very highest caliber. The Mercedes-AMG GT adopts numerous assistance systems that are familiar from the new S-Class. Standard equipment includes COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, ADAPTIVE BRAKE, ATTENTION ASSIST, PARKTRONIC, Rearview Camera, PRE-SAFE® system and the tire pressure monitoring system. Optional extras available include:

• Lane Tracking package including Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist
• Blind Spot Assist

The standard-fit restraint systems not only include three-point seat belts with belt tensioners and belt force limiters, but also front airbags, combined thorax/pelvis sidebags, windowbags and kneebags, for the driver and front passenger respectively.

Interior with outstanding quality and superb everyday practicality

Upon opening the door, the driver is greeted by the AMG start-up screen as an animated GT appears on the TFT display in the instrument cluster. The sportily designed instrument cluster in carbon fiber pattern provides information with two classic circular instruments with a in a 2-tube look and a 220 mph speedometer scale. The performance steering wheel with its three-spoke design sits perfectly in the hand: it comes with aluminum shift paddles, 12 o’clock marking and a steering wheel rim in black nappa leather with flattened bottom section. The sports seats featuring the AMG logo come in Nappa leather as standard with integral head restraints and provide optimized lateral support when driving dynamically.

The DYNAMIC SELECT Controller, the buttons for the engine start, the 3-stage ESP® and, depending on the equipment, the electronic damper control are located on the left in the AMG DRIVE UNIT. The volume control as well as the buttons for the manual transmission drive mode, the ECO start/stop function and, likewise depending on the equipment, the selectable exhaust system are fitted on the right-hand side. The innovative touchpad in the handrest above the COMAND Controller is integrated in front of the E-SELECT selector lever to operate the dual clutch transmission. A free-standing central display is located centrally above the four ventilation outlets. The vehicle comes standard with an 8.4-inch screen with COMAND. Seat heating, PARKTRONIC, hazard warning lights and the optional extendable rear spoiler can all be operated via buttons in the top control panel in the roof frame.

The GT S comes with even more sophisticated equipment and appointments, including:

• Instrument cluster with 220mph speedometer scale and red color highlights
• Performance steering wheel, black nappa leather/DINAMICA microfiber
• AMG Affalterbach Crest embossed in the center armrest)
• Nappa leather
• Trim in matte silver fiberglass or in black diamond

As an alternative to the standard-fit Interior Silver Chrome package, the customer can choose from various other packages. Carbon-fiber trim elements are available in a choice of matte and high-gloss finish. Highlights include the trim in matte silver fiberglass and the Interior Black Diamond package, all offered for the first time. Here the ventilation outlets, the frame of the center console and the trim strips in the door armrests come in a sophisticated highgloss black finish, with its striking 3D look. The “black diamond” method uses the chemical CVD (chemical vapor deposition) gas phase process to deposit a precious metal on a high-sheen chrome surface at temperatures of 1000°C. The metal reacts with the surface to form a layer that is highly scratch-resistant and has a high adhesive strength.

The superb everyday practicality of the Mercedes-AMG GT is also expressed in the airy feeling of spaciousness. In addition, the good all-round visibility and the high headroom demonstrate that sporty dynamics and comfort on long journeys are not mutually exclusive – not necessarily a given in this segment. A large stowage compartment in the center armrest, a centrally positioned twin cup holder and a large, easily accessible glove compartment are further evidence of the outstanding everyday suitability of the GT. The luggage compartment capacity of 12.4 cu. ft. will hold two golf bags either lengthwises or crosswises. The large decklid makes loading easy and a retractable luggage cover comes as standard. The cross strut made out of aluminum behind the seats prevents luggage from sliding forward as the vehicle brakes and is available in various trims (such as carbon fiber) to match the trim on rest of the interior.

The US will launch first with the 2016 AMG GT S in the spring of 2015. The AMG GT will launch in the following year.

As exciting as crossing the finish line in a car race – that was how Mercedes-AMG presented its new GT V8 sports car this evening, the second vehicle to be entirely developed under its own direction. None other than current Formula 1 points leader Nico Rosberg piloted the breath-taking newcomer from the sports car brand of Mercedes-Benz onto the stage. The emotions ran high for around 400 international guests from the worlds of politics, business and the media, including AMG’s founders Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, as the Mercedes-AMG GT made its début in its birthplace. Previously, Bernd Schneider, five-time DTM champion and with 43 victories the most successful DTM driver of all time, presented a parade of the most famous vehicles from AMG’s history.

Mercedes-AMG created an authentic motor sports atmosphere at its head office in Affalterbach for the first appearance of the new GT under the eyes of the world. A temporary pit lane with stands for spectators and a victory fireworks show set the perfect scene for the début of an ambitious new challenger.

With the new Mercedes-AMG GT, the Mercedes-AMG sports car brand enters a new segment for the company that is teeming with top-class competitors. Its front mid-engine concept with transaxle and the intelligent aluminium lightweight construction form the basis for a highly dynamic driving experience. The basis for AMG’s hallmark driving performance is provided by the AMG 4.0-litre V8 Biturbo engine, which is also a new development and is built in two output specifications: as a GT with 340 kW (462 hp) and as a GT S with 375 kW (510 hp).

“The Mercedes-AMG GT shows sports car enthusiasts around the world what AMG is capable of”, said Prof Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, and stressed Mercedes-AMG’s importance within Daimler’s engineering network.

“With its technological substance, the Mercedes-AMG GT fulfils our high standards with regard to driving dynamics, agility and sportiness. It has been ‘handcrafted by racers’, and shows that we make our customers’ dreams come true”, said Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

The GT combines driving dynamics and first-class racetrack performance with superb everyday practicality and a level of efficiency that sets new standards in the segment.