2nd Generation Mercedes-AMG GT Debuts And Still Has A V8
The Mercedes-AMG GT gets renewed for round 2 and thankfully it still has 8 cylinders.
When this generation of Mercedes-AMG ’63’ products started to roll out, the thinking was that the V8 motor would be completely phased out in favour of 4-cylinder hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Thankfully, the second-generation AMG GT coupé has proven that the mighty 4.0L V8 twin turbo still has a place in the stable!
This time, the AMG GT coupé has been re-configured with 2+2 seating, making it more of a Porsche 911 competitor than ever. The new car was co-developed by AMG alongside the new AMG SL Roadster model.
This will be the flagship model for Mercedes-AMG once again and so the hand-assembled petrol motor still makes sense to re-introduce. That being said, they’re changing things up in this generation. There will be two output levels available for this same engine at launch. The AMG GT 55 has an output of 476hp and 700Nm of torque while the AMG GT 63 is tuned for 585hp and 800Nm of torque.
Both models get 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive and the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission. The gearbox has been redesigned with a wet start-off clutch instead of a torque converter. Power can be evenly distributed between both axles or sent entirely to the rear axle. In the GT 55, 0-100km/h takes just 3.9 seconds and it has a top speed of 295km/h while the GT 63 model has a 0-100km/h time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 315km/h.
The motor gets some tweaks, including a new oil pan, repositioned intercooler, active crankcase ventilation, optimised inlet and outlet ports, an enlarged Otto particle filter, and increased boost pressure on the 63 model.
In terms of design it’s very similar to the outgoing model at first glance but then you start to notice a more proportionate silhouette from the side. What’s more, you get slightly reshaped headlights and taillights, a more subtle fender vent slit, flush door handles, a grille that extends to the lip of the front bumper, a more curvaceous rear bumper design with taillights with new graphics and that merge with a trim strip. The active rear spoiler returns to complete the iconic AMG GT’s exterior look.
Inside, you get the more tech-focused look of the latest generation of Benz models with the semi-floating digital instrument panel in a portrait orientation as the centerpiece. The flat-bottomed steering wheel comes with the latest update – capacitive buttons on glossy black plastic up top with an enlarged three-pointed star on a more curvy horn pad, plus performance dials with circular displays at the bottom. Air vents are laid out more conventionally and there are fewer physical buttons on the centre console.
The first generation AMG GT morphed into quite the expansive portfolio by the end of its lifetime with a GT C, GT R, 4-door, and track-specific variants to name a few. It remains to be seen if this 2nd generation will see quite as much variety with the company’s current strategy of portfolio rationalization.
About the Author
Subhash Nair Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.
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