SLS AMG

Mercedes-AMG GT Concept

The designation and fundamental design elements on the front and tail end denote the family affiliation to the AMG GT

Words Ali Clark
September 07, 2017
The designation and fundamental design elements on the front and tail end denote the family affiliation to the AMG GT
Words Ali Clark September 07, 2017

With the show car Mercedes-AMG GT Concept the sports car and performance brand is giving an indication of the alternative drive configurations AMG is designing. Over and above this, the four-door coupé heralds the further extension of the AMG GT family. The third model series after the SLS AMG and AMG GT is now being completely autonomously developed at the company’s headquarters in Affalterbach. The designation and fundamental design elements on the front and tail end denote the family affiliation to the AMG GT. The “EQ Power+” identifier on the mirror cam indicates the increased performance that can be expected from hybridisation at AMG.

“With the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept we are giving a preview of our third completely autonomously developed sports car and extending the attractive AMG GT family to include a four-door variant. The GT Concept – like the AMG hypercar, which we are presenting at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt – also illustrates how we are defining performance of the future at AMG. Impressive driving dynamics coupled with high efficiency, resulting from an innovative drive system and tailored to the vehicle segment in question – that is Future Performance made by AMG. With our AMG GT Concept that means a combination of an ultramodern V8 petrol engine and a high-performance electric motor. Both intelligently networked and with a modular battery concept with a combination of extremely powerful yet light batteries. This performance hybrid powertrain delivers a convincing electric range and the possibility to generate a system output of up to 600 kW in its ultimate stage of development. It completes the sprint from 0-100 km/h in less than three seconds – on a par with super sports cars,” says Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

The four-door sports car from Affalterbach will seamlessly continue the success story of the AMG GT. The dynamic fastback will also be highly suitable for everyday use thanks to the large tailgate and the variable interior and luggage compartment. The new coupé thus blends the high functionality of the performance cars with the sportiness of the AMG GT sports cars. The show car gives a sneak preview of the exterior design of the coming series production model.

Muscular proportions, large volume and clear surface designs

With the aid of the unmistakeable design idiom with a deeply drawn bonnet and powerfully raked windscreen, the AMG GT Concept is recognisable at first glance as a genuine AMG GT. The exterior design stands out with extremely muscular proportions, a large volume plus sensuous and simultaneously reduced surface styling. The concept car represents the design philosophy of Sensual Purity and lends it the added performance characteristic of AMG. “The AMG GT Concept embodies the most extreme expression of our design idiom and underlines anew the distinctive profile of AMG as a performance brand”, said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG. “Through perfect proportions it creates a puristic design with the emphasis on its surfaces, featuring sensuous shapes and is hot and cool at the same time.”

Advanced AMG GT characteristics

The Panamericana grille with vertical ribs painted red on the sides, the new configuration of the extremely slim main headlamps and the side air gills with their dominant design in the front apron are hallmark AMG GT design characteristics which have been advanced to a new level here and express pure power. The bonnet reaching right to the wheel arches underscores the decidedly sports car genes together with the two powerdomes. This is also expressed in the extravagant paintwork in the colour shade hot red with a finish that shimmers in the light like liquid metal thanks to a special formulation. The Mercedes-AMG principle that fascination is always linked with function also applies to the study. Proof of this includes the moving radiator shutters in the centre and side air intakes, which improve the aerodynamic and thermal efficiency and are inspired by the active air control system AIRPANEL in the AMG GT R.

Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster, brilliant blue metallic

Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster, brilliant blau metallic, Leder Exklusiv Nappa STYLE sattelbraun/schwarz;Kraftstoffverbrauch kombiniert 9,6-9,4 l/100 km, CO2-Emissionen kombiniert 224-219 g/km*
Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster, brilliant blue metallic, STYLE Exclusive Nappa leather saddle brown/black;Fuel consumption, combined 9.6-9.4 l/100 km, CO2 emissions, combined 224-219 g/km*

Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster, brilliant blue metallic

Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster, brilliant blau metallic, Leder Exklusiv Nappa STYLE sattelbraun/schwarz;Kraftstoffverbrauch kombiniert 9,6-9,4 l/100 km, CO2-Emissionen kombiniert 224-219 g/km*
Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster, brilliant blue metallic, STYLE Exclusive Nappa leather saddle brown/black;Fuel consumption, combined 9.6-9.4 l/100 km, CO2 emissions, combined 224-219 g/km*

Mercedes-AMG GT S; designo iridiumsilber magno

Mercedes-AMG GT S; designo iridiumsilber magno; Leder Exclusiv Nappa Mikrofaser DINAMICA schwarz;Kraftstoffverbrauch kombiniert 9,6-9,3 l/100 km, CO2-Emissionen kombiniert 224-216 g/km*
Mercedes-AMG GT S; designo iridium silver; Exclusive Nappa leather/DINAMICA microfiber black;Fuel consumption, combined 9.6-9.3 l/100 km, CO2 emissions, combined 224-216 g/km*

Mercedes-AMG GT S; designo iridiumsilber magno

Mercedes-AMG GT S; designo iridiumsilber magno; Leder Exclusiv Nappa Mikrofaser DINAMICA schwarz;Kraftstoffverbrauch kombiniert 9,6-9,3 l/100 km, CO2-Emissionen kombiniert 224-216 g/km*
Mercedes-AMG GT S; designo iridium silver; Exclusive Nappa leather/DINAMICA microfiber black;Fuel consumption, combined 9.6-9.3 l/100 km, CO2 emissions, combined 224-216 g/km*

MERCEDES-AMG GT C Coupé, Edition 50, designo graphitgrau magno

MERCEDES-AMG GT C Coupé, Edition 50, designo graphitgrau magno; Leder Exklusiv Nappa STYLE silber pearl/schwarz;Kraftstoffverbrauch kombiniert 11,4 l/100 km, CO2-Emissionen kombiniert 259 g/km*
MERCEDES-AMG GT C Coupé, Edition 50, designo graphite grey magno, STYLE Exclusive nappa leather silver pearl/black;Fuel consumption, combined 11.4 l/100 km, CO2 emissions, combined 259 g/km*

MERCEDES-AMG GT C Coupé, Edition 50, designo graphitgrau magno

MERCEDES-AMG GT C Coupé, Edition 50, designo graphitgrau magno; Leder Exklusiv Nappa STYLE silber pearl/schwarz;Kraftstoffverbrauch kombiniert 11,4 l/100 km, CO2-Emissionen kombiniert 259 g/km*
MERCEDES-AMG GT C Coupé, Edition 50, designo graphite grey magno, STYLE Exclusive nappa leather silver pearl/black;Fuel consumption, combined 11.4 l/100 km, CO2 emissions, combined 259 g/km*

MERCEDES-AMG GT C Roadster, AMG solarbeam

MERCEDES-AMG GT C Roadster, AMG solarbeam, Leder Exklusiv Nappa/Mikrofaser DINAMICA schwarz;Kraftstoffverbrauch kombiniert 11,4 l/100 km, CO2-Emissionen kombiniert 259 g/km*
MERCEDES-AMG GT C Roadster, AMG solarbeam, Exclusive Nappa leather/DINAMICA microfiber black;Fuel consumption, combined 11.4 l/100 km, CO2 emissions, combined 259 g/km*

MERCEDES-AMG GT C Roadster, AMG solarbeam

MERCEDES-AMG GT C Roadster, AMG solarbeam, Leder Exklusiv Nappa/Mikrofaser DINAMICA schwarz;Kraftstoffverbrauch kombiniert 11,4 l/100 km, CO2-Emissionen kombiniert 259 g/km*
MERCEDES-AMG GT C Roadster, AMG solarbeam, Exclusive Nappa leather/DINAMICA microfiber black;Fuel consumption, combined 11.4 l/100 km, CO2 emissions, combined 259 g/km*

MERCEDES-AMG GT R, AMG green hell magno

MERCEDES-AMG GT R, AMG green hell magno, Leder Exklusiv Nappa/Mikrofaser DINAMICA schwarz;Kraftstoffverbrauch kombiniert 11,4 l/100 km, CO2-Emissionen kombiniert 259 g/km*
MERCEDES-AMG GT R, AMG green hell magno, Exclusive Nappa leather/DINAMICA microfiber black;Fuel consumption, combined 11.4 l/100 km, CO2 emissions, combined 259 g/km*

Rear assembly in hallmark AMG GT look

The width-biased rear assembly also cites the unmistakeable AMG GT look with the extremely slim horizontal tail lamps and the shape of the tailgate. Further design elements at the tail end are the wide carbon-fibre diffuser curved downwards at the sides and the centrally arranged tailpipe trim reminiscent of the Mercedes-AMG GT R. The crouched, dynamic greenhouse with its steeply sloping roof line and the slim layout of the frameless side windows emphasise the dynamic forwards thrust of the AMG GT Concept when seen from the side.

The tapered side drop and the broad rear shoulder in the area of the flared wheel arches reinforce the muscular expression. The function of the exterior mirrors on the study is taken care of by aerodynamically favourable miniature cameras, known as mirror cams. The roof, the A-wing of the front spoilers, the rear diffuser and the side sill panels in high-quality yet light carbon fibre establish the link to motorsport.

AMG Future Performance: forward-thinking hybrid drive system

The drive system of the AMG GT Concept represents a completely new development. With the SLS AMG Electric Drive back in 2010 Mercedes-AMG proved that a super sports car with a battery/electric drive system can be realised – with astounding performance and maximum driving pleasure. Formula 1 driving dynamics and efficiency are promised by the planned AMG Hypercar. It gives a sneak preview of the ultimate that is currently feasible with hybrid technology. Based on this experience, the AMG GT Concept study conveys an impression of the alternative drive configurations Mercedes-AMG is designing. Following the AMG brand pledge “Driving Performance”, Mercedes-AMG will in future develop segment-specific hybrids with an impressive performance gain which not only ensure an incomparable output, but also maximum efficiency.

Innovative combination of combustion engine and electric motor

The performance hybrid system combines the powerful 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine with an additional powerful electric motor and thus ensures extremely immediate response and offers an extraordinarily high system performance. The sprint from 0-100 km/h can be mastered at a super sports car level by the AMG GT Concept in less than three seconds.

Characteristically for the brand, the maximum Driving Performance in the form of extremely high driving dynamics is the Affalterbach engineers’ focus. This is why the AMG GT Concept has a balanced axle load distribution. The fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive is also supported by the electric motor. It drives the rear wheels directly and has the effect of an additional booster. Besides this, according to the principle of Torque Vectoring, every wheel can be allocated torque individually. The result: the driver directly experiences a tangible increase in performance.

The scalable performance battery

It is set to extend the portfolio of Daimler AG to include a performance-oriented alternative: the energy storage unit is more powerful than conventional hybrid batteries, but at the same time more compact and lighter – further proof of the systematic way in which the AMG Lightweight Performance Strategy is being implemented. On a modular basis the system is scalable upwards, so that the performance and capacity of the battery can be adjusted to meet specific requirements of customers or certain markets.

The charging of the battery during the journey occurs on the one hand via brake recuperation, but on the other hand also with the aid of the combustion engine if the battery charge has dropped beneath a certain threshold value.

Power from two drive systems: performance operating strategy from Formula 1

The operating strategy of the AMG GT Concept is derived from the hybrid power unit of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 racing car. As in the champions league of motorsport, the battery is also charged whilst the vehicle is being driven so as always to have the full amount of electrical power available – and for instance to be able to accelerate out of bends in a flash with full thrust. The transfer of knowledge works through the cooperation with the development engineers at Mercedes-AMG HPP (High Performance Powertrains GmbH), meaning that the operating strategy of future performance hybrids from AMG will be perceptible all the time.

The electric drive unit

Three operating modes can be preselected via the electric drive unit: the AMG GT Concept either drives purely electrically or only with the combustion engine or it optimally combines both drive sources with one another as a hybrid.

The manifestation of the operating strategy, the definition of the drive programs and fundamental hybrid components are exclusive AMG developments, which all pursue the same aim: to facilitate a unique dynamic driving experience with Driving Performance in future, too.