It’s difficult to take your eyes off this yellow-coloured Mercedes-AMG GT, shining in the spotlight at the Paris Motor Show 2014. It will be available in both GT and GT S specifications.
In the front you have the three-dimensional diamond radiator grille with central Mercedes star, a broad louvre and AMG lettering in the centre. LED High Performance headlamps with stylised "eyebrows" as daytime running lamps, side lights and indicators, as well as three separate high-beam reflectors lend the GT its characteristic look.
Step inside and you will see the cabin has been built to please. The central "aviation design" theme, which is the hallmark of Mercedes-Benz sports cars, has been restyled. There is a choice of silver chrome, matt carbon fibre, high-gloss carbon fibre, black diamond and matt silver fibreglass for the interior. Another feature which warrants attention is the free-standing central display and the AMG DRIVE UNIT controls: they are arranged like eight cylinders in a V layout.
The regular entry-level AMG GT is powered by the brand new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine which churns out 462hp. In comparison, the AMG GTS pumps out 503hp. As a result, zero to 100 kmph is possible in 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 310 kmh. The transmission is a seven-speed dual clutch unit. Special attention has been paid to the engine as the sports car has been developed entirely in-house by AMG. The innovative eight-cylinder engine, the newest member of the BlueDIRECT engine family boasts outstanding power delivery, performance figures on a par with motor racing, lightweight construction as well as high efficiency and environmental compatibility. It boasts the brand's hallmark emotive V8 engine sound, along with an immediate response and high pulling power. The new AMG V8 engine has two turbochargers which are not mounted on the outside of the cylinder banks but rather inside the V configuration – experts call it a "hot inside V"
Customers can accentuate the exterior design according to their personal preferences: options available include the Exterior Silver Chrome package, the Night package and the Exterior Carbon-Fibre package.
M-B A/P communications chief David McCarthy has been quoted by Motoring.com that the GT would be an ongoing model for Mercedes-AMG, whereas the SLS was a limited-production run, although a successor is expected at some point.
The GT is expected to foster convertible and Black versions like the SLS did, and will also form the basis of the company’s GT3 race car. “The SLS was intended to be one model with a finite period of production. GT is not looked at it in that way,” explained McCarthy. “The GT gives us a true sports car at a quarter of a million bucks.”
The AMG GT will go on sale at the start of 2015 with prices thought to be around £110,000 (Rs 10.97 cr) for the GT and £120,000 (Rs 11.98 cr) for the GT S.
The GT is launched as AMG celebrates record sales success globally, with more than 23,000 cars sold in the first six months of 2014. The target for the full 12 months is 40,000. Mercedes will also be showing off the C63 AMG.
