The first cars will arrive in the UK in April 2015, and order books are open now. Initially available in two trim levels pricing starts at £110,495 for the AMG GT S. The other is the AMG GT S Edition 1, priced from £122,745, while an entry-level GT model due in late 2015 will start at £97,195.
The GT gets a 456bhp, 442lb ft version of AMG's new 4-litre V8, good for a 0-60mph sprint of 4sec and a 189mph top speed. Opt for the GT S and you'll unleash a full 503bhp and 479lb ft of torque, shaving two tenths from the GT’s 0-60 dash and hitting 193mph flat out.
The AMG’s dry sump V8 has been nicknamed the ‘hot-V’ due to the location of its turbos between each cylinder bank. To ensure this normally hot region of the engine remains cool and efficient are special air ducts directing cold air onto the turbos.
With power sent to the rear wheels through Merc’s paddle operated seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, both engine options will come standard with limited-slip differentials. In the GT a mechanical system will be used, whilst the quicker GT S will gain electronic control to shorten reaction times. The latter also gains electronically controlled damping that can be adjusted through three stages of harshness. The option for dynamic engine and gearbox mounts further increase the GT S’ adjustability between its most comfortable and most hard edged settings.
Flaunting an exterior that seems to combine the carmaker’s latest design language and a curving roofline not too dissimilar from its arch rival, the 911, the AMG GT exterior is both aggressive and handsome. Some may say it lacks a little in the way of originality, but with its long bonnet typical to Mercedes sports cars and muscular shoulders, it certainly has road presence. Edition 1 models add a fixed rear wing and deeper front splitter, aerodynamic 'flicks' on the front wings, a carbon roof and several other black stylistic details.
Inside, Mercedes has worked hard to create an environment that is comfortable yet sporty, with a low seating position, concaving door panelling and thick, curving centre console encompassing the passengers. The usual Mercedes 8.4-inch central screen sits atop the dash, whilst a mixture of leather, carbonfibre trim and matt silver finishes also add to the sporting luxury theme. For the Edition 1, special AMG performance seats finished in suede distance the car from other AMG GT models.
As standard the GT will come with steel brakes of up to 390mm on the GT S, with the option to upgrade to more powerful 402mm ceramic composite discs available. These will sit behind forged 19in alloy wheels on the GT, whilst the GT S’ rear wheel diameter grows to 20in (finished in silver and black on the Edition 1) and 295 width to handle that extra power.
The aluminium chassis setup sees double wishbone front suspension and a transaxle setup at the rear, with the Merc weighing in at as little as 1540kg in GT spec and achieving a 47:53 front-rear weight distribution. Mercedes claims this adjustable SLS based setup ensures the AMG GT will be both nimble, accurate and comfortable.
In order to take on the almost practical 911 and R8, the AMG GT will have to achieve respectable running costs. The carmaker claims both the GT and GT S are capable of around 30mpg and produce 216 and 219g/km of CO2 respectively. Boot space is generous, with 350-litres available – enough for a couple of sets of golf clubs.
With Audi’s 2016 R8 due to launch in early 2015 and word of a new 911 before 2017, the new AMG GT will face increasingly stiff competition in the mid-sized sports car segment.
Source: autoevolution
