AMG SL55

Segment
Compact

The next-generation Mercedes-AMG GT has been leaked via a post on Instagram. It's not clear what the original poster's relationship with Mercedes-Benz is, but they must have some affiliation with the brand as the photo appears to have been taken at an official presentation of sorts, explaining the poor quality of the photo.

It may have come from an internal product presentation video, which means Mercedes is likely training its various dealers on the new car, which shares its underpinnings with the new Mercedes-AMG SL.

We're happy to report that the GT is not simply a coupe version of the SL. Mercedes-AMG has given the car its own identity, still heavily inspired by the now-defunct 2014 to 2021 GT. Thanks to platform sharing, the next-generation GT will be more practical as well, making it a more realistic alternative to the all-conquering Porsche 911.

The car you see here is likely not the full-fat GT 63 S E Performance model, which will probably only debut after Mercedes-AMG introduces the standard models. Merc is currently following the same strategy with the new SL, saving the best for last.

Since the SL and GT were developed side-by-side by AMG, we expect the same engines. The poster suggests the GT in this image might be equipped with the "V8 Styling Package," one of the silliest optional extras we've ever seen. If you buy the entry-level Mercedes-AMG SL 43, which is equipped with AMG's M139 turbo-four, you can make it look like the more upmarket V8s.

The SL 43 has yet to be made live on Mercedes-Benz USA's configurator, so it's unclear whether the same option will be offered here.

Obviously, Mercedes-AMG has yet to make any announcements regarding the upcoming GT, but since it has so much in common with the SL, it will almost certainly use the same engines. However, we have doubts as to whether Mercedes would go as low as producing a basic four-cylinder GT. The SL 43's engine produces 375 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of twist, and if it's mounted as far back as possible under the long hood, it might be an extremely entertaining sports car. Conversely, a cheaper four-pot model might dilute the GT's exclusivity.

A more likely scenario is the 53, which our spy photographers caught in action last year. The rumor mill suggests that it will use the plug-in version of the four-cylinder mentioned above, as used in the 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance. Thanks to a larger electric motor, it takes power up to 671 hp and 752 lb-ft.

On paper, that would make the entry-level model more potent than the 55 and 63, both of which use the sublime 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. The 55's engine produces 469 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, while the 63 takes it up to 577 hp and 590 lb-ft.

The new C63 has been criticized for being a fatty, so even though it will be more powerful than the models mentioned above, enthusiasts will likely go for the 55 or 63. As Porsche proved last year, 500 hp is the magical number.

If Mercedes does build a model with the 671 hp plug-in four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, it will likely be the most powerful variant you can buy until the plug-in hybrid V8 63 S E Performance comes along.