The CarBuzz spy photographers recently snapped the upcoming Mercedes-AMG GT with a charging port and square-tipped quad exhaust outlets. While the charging port is old news, this is the first time we've seen it paired with the famous square-tipped quad exhaust system. Our previous spy images weren't that clear, and as you can see, Mercedes chose to dump a lot of the camouflage on this particular unit. Perhaps there's no need to hide the car since it leaked a few weeks ago?
The car you see here confirms the existence of the GT S E Performance, just one of the many flavors the car will be available in, kicking off with the controversial turbocharged and electrified four-pot in the new C63.
Not that there was any doubt. The S E Performance model uses Merc's existing 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, one of the most adaptable engines ever produced. If we go according to the figures tied to the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance four-door, the V8 by itself produces 630 horsepower and 663 lb-ft of torque.
AMG then adds an electric motor to the rear axle, producing 201 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The total combined power output is 831 horses, and a torque range that stretches from 744 and 1,084 lb-ft. That makes it one of the most potent AMG engines ever produced, second only to the ultra-exclusive Mercedes-AMG One.
The new GT was developed side-by-side with the new SL, though it's now clear that each car will have its own unique identity. Mercedes is sticking with the retro long bonnet and bubble butt that made the previous GT and the SLS before that such striking cars. We can also see that the beloved AMG Green Hell Magno will be making a return. Hopefully, it will be an option on the entire range and not limited to the GT R as before.
Our spy images also confirm that it will be a four-seater like the new SL. It may seem silly, but it's likely part of Merc's strategy to provide a better rival to the Porsche 911. We can confirm that a 911 can easily be used for the school run, but if you owned a previous-gen GT, the kids had to take the bus.
We expect Mercedes-AMG will also offer the V8 in two states of tune as with the SL. You can have the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 469 hp and 516 lb-ft or 577 hp and 590 lb-ft. In our experience, the SL 55 is all you need. It does 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds, which is as fast as the famous McLaren Mercedes SLR, and you get that glorious Gatling gun soundtrack.
We're not quite sure the 831 hp will be worth the trade-off. The C63 has been widely criticized for being a fatty, and the previous-generation GT sans any electric witchcraft already weighed 3,666 pounds. In contrast, a Porsche 911 Carrera S weighs just 3,298 lbs.
We only bring Porsche up because it has proved time and time again that 500 horses is the sweet spot, as it recently claimed the naturally-aspirated Nurburgring record from much more powerful machines.
With the camo dropping fast, a reveal of the new AMG GT is likely months away.
