Golf GTI

Make
Volkswagen
Segment
Hatchback

Yes, it's that time of the year again where we get inundated with teasers of major manufacturer reveals that will dominate the Geneva Motor Show in March. This year also happens to mark the 50th anniversary of AMG. As you'd expect, the manufacturer has big plans to celebrate its birthday, including the reveal of its 1,000-hp F1-inspired Project One hypercar. But that won't be shown until the Frankfurt Auto Show later this year. So, what's AMG planning for Geneva? According to Autocar, it will debut a concept for its new 600-hp GT4 sedan.

Set to replace the current CLS Shooting Brake in 2019, the concept will provide a clear indication of the production model's design when it goes on sale next year and takes on the Porsche Panamera. Codenamed X290, the GT4 will be powered by the AMG E63's twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 to generate a power output greater than the 603-hp of the current E63 S 4Matic+. While the GT4 will share some of its design cues from AMG's flagship GT sports car (which just so happens to rival the Porsche 911), sources say it will adopt a different platform than the GT's bespoke aluminum structure.

Instead, the GT4 will utilize a specially modified version of the manufacturer's rear architecture (MRA) used on the C63, E63 and S63, along with a "unique" wheelbase and track width measurements to keep Porsche at bay, as well as a bespoke suspension setup. Performance and handling will be enhanced thanks to the use of lightweight materials within the floor pan and body structure such as aluminum and hot-formed high-strength steel. It's hoped that these techniques will make the GT4 significantly lighter than Mercedes-AMG's existing MRA-based models.