An all-new Mercedes-AMG GT has been revealed at Monterey Car Week in the US, featuring an evolutionary design, all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering. The proportions remain similar, though a reprofiled roofline provides more cabin space allowing AMG to include the option of rear seats. This gives the GT more practicality and makes it even more of a rival to the 2+2 Porsche 911. Space in those rear seats is limited, of course, Mercedes-AMG stating that they are only suitable for people up to 1.5 metres in height.
Modernised interior
The interior features an 11.9-inch touchscreen in portrait orientation running the latest version of the MBUX operating system. Completing that is digital instrumentation and an optional head-up display. Throughout the interior is a mixture of materials, including some glossy carbon fibre and metallic circular air vents. As we've seen in other Mercedes models, a comprehensive ambient light setup features 64 different colours and the GT gets two AMG-specific background designs.
It remains a gorgeous looking sports car inside and out and the visual changes to the exterior enhance its presence and stance. The car comes on 20-inch wheels as standard, with larger 21-inch rims optionally available. Behind those lurk beefy brakes consisting of cast steel discs and aluminium calipers with enhanced cooling and reduced weight.
High-tech aerodynamics
At the front, the grille now appears wider, partly due to a gloss black surround to increase visual width at the base. The LED headlights have a new lighting signature comprising three segments in a vertical arrangement, making it more recognisable at night. The same three-segment motif appears in the rear lights and, as we've seen on the new Mercedes CLE model, both taillights are connected to form one piece. An integrated rear spoiler deploys above 50km/h and rises through five different angles depending on the car's speed. Buyers can also specify a larger fixed rear wing. Four squarish exhausts are located within the rear diffuser, which is available with a carbon fibre finish.
That diffuser plays a role in the AMG GT's aerodynamic performance too. Ahead of the engine, set into the car's underbody, is a section that lowers by 40mm at 80km/h. This carbon item alters the airflow underneath the car, creating a Venturi effect that generates more downforce, effectively sucking the car to the ground.
Beefed up mechanicals
The multilink suspension is now made entirely from forged aluminium to reduce weight without sacrificing performance. AMG's Active Ride Control system features roll stabilisation through a hydraulic system, replacing mechanical anti-roll bars. Each corner of the car is linked to the system and can react in fractions of a second. The adaptive shock absorbers are controlled for damping and stiffness and connected to a central pump in a H-shape. This setup is claimed to create a more noticeable difference in handling characteristics when switching between the six available drive modes.
The standard fitment of rear-wheel steering should further enhance the driving experience. At speeds below 100km/h, the back wheels can turn by a few degrees to add to the GT's agility, while at speeds above 100km/h they turn in the same direction as the fronts to provide more stability, such as when switching between lanes on a motorway.
V8 power for launch models
At the heart of the new AMG GT is a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 engine that will be available in two versions: the GT 55 4Matic+ and the GT 63 4Matic+. Both will use a nine-speed automatic with an all-wheel drive transmission capable of a 50:50 front-to-rear split or sending all power to the rear axle.
Much of the engine architecture has changed to bring better performance, including a new oil pan, repositioned intercooler and active crankcase ventilation. The GT 55 4Matic+ has peak outputs of 476hp and 700Nm, will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds and go on to a speed of 295km/h. In the GT 63 4Matic+, engine outputs climb to 585hp and 800Nm, giving the car a top speed of 315km/h and enabling it to go from 0-100km/h in 3.2 seconds.
The new Mercedes-AMG GT is expected to go on sale in Ireland in early 2024.