The second generation Mercedes-AMG GT is only a few months old, with the wraps coming off during the Monterey Car Week in August. It remains the same Porsche 911 rival as its predecessor, albeit with improved everything and an optional 2+2 seating layout.
The GT is only offered as a coupe for the first time, leaving those looking for a roadster to choose the mechanically related SL. Sporting a larger overall footprint than the old one, it has a more spacious interior with the same 11.9-inch infotainment system as the SL and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
In the entry-level GT 55, the bi-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine develops 476 ps (469 hp/350 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. The GT 63 brings 585 ps (577 hp/430 kW) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque, dropping the 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) sprint from 3.9 to 3.2 seconds and improving the top speed by 20 kph (12 mph) to 315 kph (196 mph). A punchier electrified variant is on the cards, though it is unknown whether the GT 43 will be introduced with a four-banger sourced from the eponymous SL.
Another thing that needs mentioning is that the new GT is now all-wheel drive, with the 4Matic+ system being standard across the range. A nine-speed automatic transmission sends the thrust to both axles, and the car also features an electronically-controlled rear-locking differential, active roll stabilization, and active rear-wheel steering for improved dynamics. Moreover, it also gets some clever active aero. You will have to wait until the first half of 2024 to get your hands on it in the United States.
Photo: Behance | Aksyonov Nikita
As we already told you, the all-new Mercedes-AMG GT is only offered with a fixed-roof design. Some rendering artists have already chopped its roof in Fantasy Land, and Aksyonov Nikita has taken that styling to new heights with a hypothetical GT 63 Targa variant, which would obviously take a swing at the Porsche 911 Targa.
Shared on Behance a few weeks after the model's grand unveiling, these renderings portray the Affalterbach brand's flagship sports car with a solid rear windscreen that moves back at the push of a button to make room for the roof in a special compartment under it, in a similar fashion to Porsche's 911 Targa series.
It is safe to assume that such a variant of the new GT is wishful thinking, as Mercedes-AMG will keep offering it as a coupe. The family could, however, expand with additional powertrains and special versions, and we wouldn't be surprised to learn that track-focused variants (ahem, Black Series?) are also in the pipeline. But could you consider buying a Mercedes-AMG GT Targa of a similar 911 if the car marque made one?
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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