Mercedes-AMG has unleashed the latest generation GT Coupé into the world market at the same time as Jaguar has confirmed it will be ending the i-Pace as the company stops production of all internal combustion engine cars from 2025.

The second-generation Mercedes?AMG GT Coupé brings its power to the road with the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive for the first time, pumping out 800 Nm of torque and 430 kW from its 4,0-litre V8 biturbo engine in AMG 63 GT guise.

The AMG 55 variant offers 350 kW and 700 Nm.

The AMG sports car architecture features a composite aluminium body structure that enables its configuration as a 2+2?seater. For a sports car in this class, this means passengers have a very good sense of space and plenty of room for their luggage.

Distinctive Driving Dynamics

“The new AMG GT Coupé combines highly dynamic driving characteristics and distinctive sportiness with a high level of everyday comfort. Our new GT is clearly the top-of-the-line product in our diversified portfolio and is therefore not only AMG's youngest brand shaper, but also a clear commitment to the sports car made in Affalterbach. With the new dimension concept and optional 2+2 seats, we are directly responding to the wishes of our customers,” says Michael Schiebe, Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes?AMG GmbH.

Going for the optional 2+2 seats offered designers completely new design options for the exterior so the long wheelbase, short overhangs and steeply raked windscreen make the new AMG GT Coupé appear compact and powerful.

The interior design of the new AMG GT Coupé is focused on the driver but the optional 2+2 seats offers plenty of space in the interior. The rear seats increase functionality for everyday use and are suitable for people up to 1,5 metres tall..

Multimedia Touchscreen

The centre console houses an 11,9?inch multimedia touchscreen in a portrait format that offers clear advantages, especially for navigation, as well as more ergonomic freedom. The MBUX (Mercedes?Benz User Experience) infotainment system is intuitive to use and capable of learning. It offers extensive AMG-specific content in five display styles.

Sculptured seats are electrically adjustable AMG sports seats with integrated headrests and also offer a high level of lateral support. The optional AMG performance seats are even sportier, also with integrated headrests and ventilation openings in the seat backrests. The side bolsters of the optional multi-contour seats are automatically narrowed in the Sport, Sport+ and RACE driving programs to ensure optimal lateral support at all times.

All-wheel Drive

 The two V8 models are equipped as standard with the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive and the transition from rear to all-wheel drive and vice versa takes place continuously, based on a sophisticated matrix that integrates the intelligent control into the overall vehicle system architecture.

The new AMG GT Coupé has a multi-link front axle with five links arranged entirely within the wheel rim. The wheel control and wheel suspension elements, which are independent of one another, enable high lateral acceleration with minimal drive influences on the steering system. A five-link space construction also guides the wheels on the rear axle.

The new AMG GT Coupé is also equipped with active rear-axle steering (HAL) as standard. Depending on the speed, the rear wheels steer in either the opposite direction (up to 100 km/h) or in the same direction (faster than 100 km/h) as the front wheels.

The six AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programmes ‘Slippery’, ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’, ‘Sport +’, ‘Individual’ and ‘RACE’ enable a wide range of vehicle characteristics from comfortable to dynamic. Each programme offers an individual driving experience, precisely tailored to different driving conditions.

Will any come to South Africa? We will just have to wait and see.

Colin Windell – proudly CHANGECARS