That’s the first sentence of the press release for the new Mercedes-AMG GT and a bold statement by Mercedes-Benz indeed.
Following in the footsteps of Thors Hammer, the SLS AMG, the AMG GT is the second vehicle to be developed entirely in-house by Mercedes-AMG. It joins the AMG line-up which now features a lineup of no less than vehicles, hinting at the massive demand around the world for Merc’s luxurious performance arm.
In fact, demand in South Africa for AMG models grew 63% in 2014 to more than 1 600, making SA one of the world’s biggest markets for the AMG brand. Life it, would seem at AMG is good.
Back to the AMG GT which rocketed into South Africa at a local launch recently and is yours for the pricely starting sum of R1 642 000.00 for the AMG GT and R1 981 000.00 for the AMG GT S.
At the heart of the AMG GT is a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 developing a mammoth 340kW in the GT and 375kW in the GT S with a tarmac rippling 600 and 650Nm respectively, you can be sure that the AMG GT will have no problem ‘smoking its rear tyres’ with very little provocation.
Featuring dry sump lubrication and both turbochargers nestled neatly within the ‘V’ of each bank of four cylinders, the AMG GT’s firebreathing heart is both compact, lightweight, and race-ready. Critical figures: 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 310km/h for the GT S. The ‘lesser’ GT model taking just a fraction longer – 0.2 seconds – to reach the tonne, and will tap out 6km ‘slower’.
Following a similar configuration to the SLS the GT features a seven-speed dual clutch transmission in transaxle configuration at the rear axle, locking rear differential, sports suspension and aluminium double-wishbone suspension.
Critically though where the SLS tipped the scales at over 1 600kg, the front mid-engined GT has an impressively low kerb weight of 1 540kg. Weight distribution is a sweet 47 to 53 percent front to rear.
Fuel consumption, not something most prospective GT drivers will be concerned with, is a claimed 9.3l/100km in the combined cycle. Of course, by combined we mean driving like you would if Ms Daisy was nestled in the passenger seat. In real life circumstances, that figure is sure to skyrocket quicker than the claimed 0-100 time!
As far as the interior goes, the level of luxury in the AMG GT is sure to be unmatched this side of a Bentley. Ok not quite, but without sitting in it and performing the industry standard ‘scratch and sniff’ test, from the official photo’s at least, and for something which claims to be as at home on the racetrack as it is parked outside Sandton City, it looks very comfortable.
Being a V8 and one from the might of Affalterbach the exhaust note is sure to induce goose-flesh on those that hear it. For audiophiles who want a little more the performance exhaust system with fully variable exhaust flaps should please driver, passenger and anyone else within earshot.
This system allows the driver to tailor the exhaust note depending on his/her requirements and is standard on the GT S and an optional extra on the GT.
All that V8 muscle is sent to the rear wheels through AMGs SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission and channeled through a mechancial locking diff in the GT and an electronically controlled unit in the GT S. In either application you can be sure if with the right amount of talent you’ll be able to induce vast amounts of drift angle…and smoke.
Standard on the GT S and optional on the GT is AMG Ride Control sports suspension with electronically dampers allowing the driver to toggle through three preset options: Comfort, Sport and Sport plus.
The Mercedes-AMG GT also adopts numerous Intelligent Drive assistance systems that are familiar from the new S-Class. Standard equipment includes Pre-Safe, Collision Prevention, Adaptive Brake, Attention Assist, Parktronic and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
