Debuting in Geneva, the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept foretells future projects from the sub-brand. It not only celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Mercedes-AMG, this showpiece also points the way towards an upcoming production model and matches its bold character and dynamics with a hybrid powertrain that borrows design elements from the automaker’s world champion Formula One effort.
“With the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept, we are giving a preview of our third completely independently developed sports car and are extending the attractive AMG GT family to include a four-door variant,” said Tobias Moers, chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. The concept boasts comfort and utility making it well-suited to daily use. The potent V8 and a high-performance electric motor allows the GT Concept to develop 805 horsepower and sprint to 60 mph in less than 3.0 seconds.
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“The AMG GT Concept embodies the most extreme expression of our design idiom and underlines the autonomous profile of AMG as a performance brand,” said Gordon Wagener, Chief Design Officer, Daimler AG. Finished in Hot Red and embracing a form-follows-function philosophy, the new GT Concept has a selection of familiar AMG cues from its Panamera-style grille to a purposeful tail treatment that features a functional diffuser and centrally positioned exhaust outlets Even its full LED lighting makes a statement, introducing new “nano active fiber technology” in the running lamps and taillights that permits greater flexibility while delivering bright light.
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EQ Power+ takes to the street
As indicated by its “EQ Power+” badge – a designation introduced for the W08 F1 car and one that will appear on all future Mercedes-AMG hybrid offerings – the GT Concept is motivated by a combustion engine that works with an electric motor. Here, it’s a single aft-mounted motor that only drives the rear wheels, although the GT Concept’s AMG-tuned version of M-B’s 4Matic AD allows for torque vectorings that elevates its handling potential. Capable of operating in gas, electric or hybrid modes, the GT Concept replenishes its battery pack via regenerative braking or by using the engine when charge levels drop below a critical threshold. While Mercedes-AMG execs were circumspect about providing specific details, they noted the battery pack is modular and fully scalable, making it suitable for use in a broad range of vehicles. That includes the new Mercedes-AMG Hypercar that’s set to appear this fall at the Frankfurt Auto Show.
More Concept Vehicles:
Porsche Mission E Concept: a 600-hp EV on the fast track to production
Subaru Viziv-7 Concept previews new midsize SUV coming in 2018
Volkswagen BUDD-e Concept previews new EV styling and tech themes
