Emissions regulations are getting tougher – especially in the EU – but Mercedes is counting the fleet size and finding that the AMG GT Coupe can keep its husky V8 engine. Just like the roadster SL 55 and 63 siblings, the metal roof version will still have a 4.0-liter twin-turbo unit with nearly 600 horsepower. With the SL being the grand tourer and the GT being the more focused sports car, it is hoped that the latter will prioritize performance over comfort.
Ahead of its official reveal slated to take place in the coming months, we can see the second-generation AMG GT Coupe in its natural habitat, at the Nürburgring. Those prototypes definitely rocked a big V8, which is something we can’t say about the upcoming AMG C63 test vehicle as this super sedan will have a hybrid four-cylinder setup.
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Talking about the M139 engine being adapted from AMG’s “45” compact car, it will be interesting to see if the SL 43 will have a coupe correspondent with the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Logic tells us that the peeps from Affalterbach are also planning to bridge the gap between the four- and eight-cylinder GT and SL models with a derivative equipped with an inline six. At the top of the food chain, the plug-in hybrid V8 should pack more than 800 horsepower.
Going back to the existing prototypes, it looks like at least one of the prototypes has rear-wheel steering. That’s not too surprising as the AMG GT Coupe that came out had this feature too and we saw it in the new droptop SL too. The Mercedes 911 fighter already looks sleek despite the camouflage extending to the active rear spoiler.
Fully variable all-wheel drive is on the menu, as is a nine-speed automatic transmission, mild hybrid technology and advanced suspension with front double wishbones and rear multi-link. Despite switching to a different platform, the weight distribution is unlikely to be dramatically different from the current 47:53 coupe.
The overall styling should be from the coupe-ified SL, and the familiar theme will continue in the cabin. However, the roadster’s luxury leather-wrapped cabin will adopt more carbon fiber and a sporty touch to better match the GT’s status as a track-focused machine. Of course, the biggest change from its predecessor is the adoption of a 2+2 layout whereas the current car only comes with two seats.
The new generation should come out in 2023 exclusively as a coupe as the roadster is retired now that the SL uses the same foundation as the GT. The peak of the V8 PHEV range may be added to the lineup further to compete with Porsche’s confirmed 911 hybrid.
