The newest 911 fighter.
Move over Porsche, there’s a new sports car in Germany and it is only the second car to be developed entirely by the mad scientists at Mercedes-AMG. The new Mercedes-AMG GT and GT S models bring forth uncompromised performance with loads of new technology and that classic Mercedes-Benz style paired up with an intoxicating engine note.
“With the new GT we are positioning Mercedes-AMG even more aggressively than to date as a dynamic sports car brand”, said 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.”
At the heart of the new Mercedes-AMG GT and GT S is the all-new front mid-mounted AMG 4.0-liter V-8 biturbo engine that was developed specifically for the new GT. The 4.0 AMG V-8 (M178) is built using the same ‘one man, one engine’ philosophy in Affalterbach and bears a plaque with each builder’s signature. The pair of turbochargers feeding the 4.0-liter V-8 are set up in a “hot inside V” configuration, inside the “V” of the cylinder banks that help keep the engine compact and reduce lag for a better throttle response. Dry sump lubrication is also utilized to keep the engine fed with oil during hard lateral acceleration. An AMG performance exhaust system comes standard on the Mercedes-AMG GT S and incorporates variable exhaust vanes that can be controlled at the push of a button to alter the exhaust sound.
In the Mercedes-AMG GT, the 4.0-liter engine spits out 456 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 443 lb-ft. of torque from 1,600 to 5,000 RPM for a 0-60 acceleration time of 3.9 seconds and top speed of 189 mph. It gets even better in the Mercedes-AMG GT S, where the 4.0-liter produces a furious 503 horsepower at 6,250 RPM and 479 lb-ft. from 1,750 to 5,000 RPM, rocketing the sports car to 60 in 3.7 seconds and to an electronically-limited top speed of 193 mph.
Helping to control the beast that is the new 4.0-liter M178 engine is a rear transaxle AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT seven-speed transmission. Controlled via steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, the dual-clutch transmission and its behavior can be altered in the various driving modes. In the GT S, the driver can exclusively select the manual “Race” mode that adjusts shifts to mimic those of a race car for optimum performance. As standard, the Mercedes-AMG GT comes with a mechanical rear-axle locking differential while the GT S boasts a standard electronically-controlled rear-axle locking differential with faster, more sensitive control.
The Mercedes-AMG GT and GT S were designed to have precise handling and dynamics like a true sports car. A double-wishbone suspension is used at the front and rear, based on the brand’s motorsport experience, and is constructed from forged aluminum alloy to reduce weight. The GT S also benefits from AMG Ride Control as standard with electronically-controlled damping with three modes. A speed-sensitive sports steering wheel with variable steering ratio helps to improve handling and agility at lower speeds. Drivetrain damping is another innovation featured on the Mercedes-AMG GT and reduces the rolling motion of the drivetrain that’s improved upon with dynamic engine and transmission mounts on GT S models.
Making the connection between road and car are new light alloy wheels hiding some potent brakes. The Mercedes-AMG GT comes standard with ten-spoke 9.0 x 19 front and 11.0 x 19 rear wheels with 255/35 R 19 and 295/35 R 19 tires, while the GT S comes packed with staggered 9.0 x 19 and 11.0 x 20 wheels with 265/35 R19 and 295/30 R20 tires. Customers can also opt for cross-spoke ultralight forged wheels with a matte black high-sheen rim edge. Vehicles with the AMG Dynamic Plus package gain specially-developed, high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Behind the lightweight wheels sit internally ventilated and perforated 360 mm discs on the GT and 390 mm discs on the GT S with shiny red calipers. As an option, ultra-lightweight and fade-resistant ceramic discs measuring 402 mm up front and 360 mm at the rear can be fitted.
The entire Mercedes-AMG GT was built from scratch and uses a chassis, greenhouse, and body made from aluminum alloy with steel trunk lid and magnesium radiator core to create a lightweight and stiff structure. Tipping the scales at just 509 lbs., the body shell offers up low weight, high strength, and a low center of gravity to provide the perfect basis for a high-performance sports car.
The lightweight body carries an aerodynamically-optimized exterior design that reflects power and speed while generating downforce. Up front, an A-wing and spoiler redirect air into cooling modules and sit below the three-dimensional diamond radiator grille with Mercedes star and AMG logo off to the side. Two LED High Performance headlights with ‘eyebrow’ daytime running lights stare ahead.
The classic rear-wheel drive proportions with a greenhouse that has been moved back and large wheels create a sense of muscle. Frameless doors and a dome-shaped, arched roofline sweep towards the rear and taper into the rear end with its broad shoulders. Two side outlets pay homage to classic Mercedes-Benz sports cars, most notably being the 300SL Gullwing.
The rear of the Mercedes-AMG GT models have a wide stance with a black diffuser insert and integrated tailpipes making their presence known. Slim LED taillights emphasize width and a smooth retractable rear spoiler conceals itself from sight until downforce is needed.
The cockpit of the Mercedes-AMG GT gives driver and passenger a great deal of space with a sporty feel surrounded by aviation-themed styling. A high center console mates with a sloping dashboard creates a powerful statement. High beltlines, concave door paneling, and a low seating position help to emphasize the dynamics and power hidden under the car’s sheetmetal. The center console can be trimmed in silver chrome, matte carbon fiber, high-gloss carbon fiber black, matte silver fiberglass, and a new black diamond finish that is made using chemical CVD gas to deposit precious metal on the chrome surface at temperatures of 1,000-degrees Celsius to create a beautiful finish.
Facing the driver are two circular instrument gauges with a two-tube look flanking a TFT display along with a three-spoke performance steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles, flat-bottom, and 12-o’clock marker. Drivers can control a range of functions on the center console with each of the eight buttons in the AMG Drive Unit being positioned in a V-shaped cylinder design.
Loads of high-tech driver aids and instruments will come standard and as options such as Lane Tracking, Blind Spot Assist, and more to make the Mercedes-AMG GT into a capable daily-driving machine.
The new Mercedes-AMG GT S will be launched in the US first as a 2016 model in the spring of 2015, with the AMG GT coming the following year. Official pricing has not been released.
Mercedes-AMG GT Specifications
Mercedes-AMG GT:
Displacement: 4.0 liters
Number of Cylinders: V-8
Aspiration: Twin-turbocharged
Maximum Horsepower: 456 / 340 kW at 6,000 RPM
Maximum Torque: 443 lb-ft. / 600 Nm from 1,600 to 5,000 RPM
Acceleration 0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds
Top Speed: 189 mph / 304 km/h (electronically-limited)
Mercedes-AMG GT S:
Displacement: 4.0 liters
Number of Cylinders: V-8
Aspiration: Twin-turbocharged
Maximum Horsepower: 503 / 375 kW at 6,250 RPM (6,000 to 6,500 RPM w/ AMG Dynamic Plus)
Maximum Torque: 479 lb-ft. / 650 Nm from 1,750 to 4,750 RPM (1,750 to 5,000 RPM w/ AMG Dynamic Plus).
Acceleration 0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds
Top Speed: 193 mph / 310 km/h (electronically-limited)
Mercedes-AMG GT Gallery
Source: Mercedes-Benz
Are the new Mercedes-AMG GT and GT S true Porsche 911 fighters?
