It was precisely on January 21, 2022, when our spies laid eyes on the model new Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe for the first time. Some 18 months later, we nonetheless haven’t seen the manufacturing mannequin. Within the meantime, an attention-grabbing batch of spy images has come our methodology with help from Spanish publication Motor.es and their sightings of a plug-in hybrid prototype. The yellow stickers are a dull giveaway we’re dealing with the PHEV.
The sports activities actions coupe’s electrified nature is further evidenced by the charging port cap on the rear bumper. Totally different noteworthy particulars embrace the 20-inch wheels with 295/35 ZR20 Pirelli tires and carbon-ceramic brakes judging by the gold calipers. The acquainted Panamericana grille is flanked by fairly a couple of air intakes suggesting that’s on the higher end of the lineup.
On the rear, the dual exhaust concepts protruding from the bumper hint Mercedes was testing the engine. As a result of it doesn’t have the quad setup, we is likely to be attempting on the lesser of the two PHEV derivatives with an electrified inline-six in its place of a beefier hybrid V8. Nothing is official at this stage nonetheless it’s maybe known as the AMG GT 53 E Effectivity or one factor to that impression.
The within is solely as attention-grabbing as a result of it reconfirms the second-generation GT Coupe will undertake a four-seat format. Unsurprisingly, the cabin largely takes after the latest SL roadster, which has moreover been developed by AMG. Moderately than a very fledged four-seater, anticipate a 2+2 format with restricted rear legroom to replicate its important rival, the Porsche 911.
This prototype had the rear seats in place, nonetheless with quite a few pc methods and wires as part of the cumbersome gear used in the midst of the testing half. Weight shall be a precedence considering the PHEV setup will make the automotive bulkier, nonetheless electrification is vital as a consequence of an increasing number of stringent emissions legal guidelines. By one of the best ways, the 911 we talked about might be going hybrid.
With AMG now selling an SL43, one can’t help nonetheless ponder whether or not there shall be a four-cylinder GT base model as correctly. Throughout the roadster, the longitudinally mounted 2.0-liter M139 borrowed from the AMG “45” compact cars (the place it’s mounted transversally) makes use of {an electrical} exhaust gasoline turbocharger to produce 375 horsepower and 354 pound-feet (481 Newton-meters) of torque. On the totally different end of the spectrum, a GT 63 S E Effectivity with a plug-in hybrid V8 ought to provide correctly over 800 hp.
When can we anticipate to see the model new AMG GT Coupe? With the 2023 IAA Munich scheduled for early September and Detroit later that month, Mercedes could resolve to unveil the revamped sports activities actions automotive on-line sooner than that. If that acquired’t be the case, we must always at all times nonetheless see it later this yr, presumably ahead of mid-November when the Los Angeles Auto Current takes place.