Mercedes is launching, on September 9, the new top-model AMG-GT, the second own model of the AMG division, after the SLS AMG. You can see live the official presentation from Affalterbach and read about all technical details.
AMG was found in 1967 by Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher to build Mercedes racing engines. Then, after many years in which AMG produced outrageously powerful road cars, the small carmaker from Affalterbach draw the attention of Mercedes, which acquired 51% of the company in 1999. In 2005, Mercedes bought the rest of the shares and AMG became the top division of the Mercedes-benz cars range.
But during the whole 47 years history, AMG has been building only one pure-bred model, if we don’t count that the Mercedes SLR McLaren was produced in cooperation with McLaren. The first one was the SLS AMG, with its fascinating gullwings, followed by the new AMG GT, which lends the basis of its platform from the SLS AMG.
The new AMG GT makes no compromise and combines the aluminium spaceframe, the V8 bi-turbo engine with the dry sump lubrification, the seven-speed dual clutch transmission in transaxle configuration, the locking differential (mechanical for the GT base version and electronically controlled for the GT S) and the sports suspension with the aluminium double wishbone suspension.
The AMG GT is available in two versions, with 462 HP (GT) and 510 HP (GT S)
Thanks to the configuration with the front-mid engine and the transaxle configuration with the gearbox placed on the rear axle, the AMG GT achieved a superb weight distribution of 47 to 53 between the front and rear axle. Mercedes promises an extremely agile handling and high cornering speeds as a result of a low centre of gravity and an excellent power to weight ratio of 3.08 kg/HP for AMG GT S and 3.3 kg/HP for AMG GT.
Despite the sensational dynamic performance (0-100 km/h in 3.8/4.0 seconds for GT/GT S), the fuel consumption is very low for this car category with only 9.3/9.4 l/100 km for the AMG GT/GT S. Responsible for these exceptional values is the low power to weight ratio with only 3.08 kg/HP for the GT S (3.33 for GT). For example, the body in white weighs only 231 kg.
The new biturbo 4 litre V8 (code name M178) is available in two versions and develops 462 HP in the GT base version and 510 HP in the top version GT S. The main characteristic of the new engine is the fact that the two turbochargers are not mounted on the outside of the cylinder banks, but inside it, giving the advantages of a compact engine design, an optimum response and low exhaust gas emissions. The dry sump lubrication system allows the mouting of the engine by 55 mm lower and this position lowers the centre of gravity, an ideal situation for a sports car with extremely high lateral dynamics.
Read more about new AMG V8 bi-turbo 4.0 litre engine
The V8 bi-turbo engine is mated with the AMG 7-speed sports transmission, which was further optimised for usage in the new sports car. To transfer the driver’s shift commands even more directly, the communication between the engine and transmission has been fundamentally revised.
The new adaptive drivetrain AMG Dynamic Select gives the driver the possibility to choose from different modes: “C” (Controlled Efficiency), “S” (Sport), “S+” (Sport Plus) and – for the first time– “I” (Individual). GT S has a fifth mode named “Race”, which adjusts the shift strategy of the transmission to the needs of racetrack usage. By pressing the “M” button, the manual mode could be activated in any drive mode.
The GT comes standard with a mechanical rear axle locking differential, meanwhile the GT S standardly has an ellectronically controlled rear axle locking differential integrated in the transmission housing, according to the transaxle principle.
The adaptive suspension AMG Ride Control is standard on the GT S version and optional for the GT. The driver could adjust the stiffness of the suspension by pushing a button in the AMG Drive Unit or by using the AMG Dynamic Select drive modes. Three modes are available: Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. As in other AMG models, a 3-stage ESP is available with ESP On, ESP Sport handling Mode and ESP off functions.
Special for the AMG GT S, Mercedes offers the AMG Dynamic Package Plus, which raises the dynamism and the agility at a higher level and includes dynamic engine and transmission mounts. Standardly, the GT and the GT S benefit from a standard high performance composite brake system with brake discs measuring 360/360 mm in diameter at the front/rear at GT and 390/360 mm at GT S (personalized with red calipers). Optional, a high performance ceramic composite brake system is available for both versions. The ceramic brake discs measure 402 mm at the front and 360 mm at the rear and benefit from a lower weight and a better fade resistance.
Standard, the GT has 10 spoke light alloy wheels with 19 inches in diameter shod with 255/35 R 19 tyres in front and 295/35 R 19 at the rear. The GT S has 19-inch wheels in the front with 265/35 R 19 tyres and 20-inch wheels at the rear with 295/30 R 20 tyres at the rear.
The interior follows the aviation design theme, with a higher and large central console, that houses the AMG Drive Unit controls, arranged like eight cylinders in a V layout. Above the central console we see the four central style vents with silver chrome edges. From the other AMG models, we recognize the small and high-tech gearshift, meanwhile the free standing display (7 inches as standard and 8.4 inches, if you order the Comand Online) and the touchpad are in the style seen in new C-Class saloon.
The driver has the most important controls close to him: from top to bottom, the button for the AMG Dynamic Select, the button for starting the engine illuminated in red, the button for the ESP adjustment and finally the button for the adaptive suspension. And on the right side of the central console, at the base, there is the button for pleasure: if you push this button with a symbol of an exhaust system, a sports exhaust system with fully variable exhaust flaps will offer the experience of the AMG typical sound. When you get in the car, an animated GT appears on the TFT display from the instrument cluster. The sportily designed cockpit in carbon fibre look provides information by two classic circular instruments in a 2-tube look and a 320 km/h speedometer scale. In case of GT S the speedometer goes to 360 km/h and has red colour highlights.
The whole interior impresses by the very high quality materials: a combination of matt carbon fibre, high gloss carbon fibre, black diamond and matt silver fiberglass on the central console, three spoke steering wheel in black Nappa leather with flattened bottom section and aluminium shift paddles and sports seats in Artico leather/black fabric with in-built head restraints and the AMG lettering.
The Mercedes AMG GT takes many assistance systems from the new S-Class. The standard package contains the Collision Prevention Assist Plus, the Adaptive Brake, the Attention Assist and the tyre pressure control. On the option list, we can find the Adaptive Highbeam Assist, the Parktronic, the Blind Spot Assist and the Traffic Sign Assist (part of the Comand Online).
Even though it is a top sports car, Mercedes does not neglect the practical aspects. The boot has a 350-liter capacity and the large boot lid allows an easy loading.
Technical data Mercedes AMG GT
Model | AMG GT | AMG GT S |
---|---|---|
Displacement (cc) | 3982 | 3982 |
Max. power (HP/rpm) | 462/6000 | 510/6250 (6000-6500) |
Max. torque (Nm/rpm) | 600/1600-5000 | 650/1750-4750 (1750-5000) |
Kerb weight (kg) | 1540 | 1570 |
Power/weight ratio (Kg/HP) | 3.33 | 3.08 |
Acc. 0-100 km/h (s) | 4.0 | 3.8 |
Max. speed (km/h) | 304* | 310* |
Fuel consumption (l/100 km) | 9.3 | 9.4 |
Values in brackets are for AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package; * maximum speed is electronically limited