Mercedes-AMG is developing the second-generation GT with an 800bhp-plus plug-in hybrid drivetrain – and the first prototypes of the petrol-electric super-coupé have been spied testing on the Nürburgring.
Expected to see UK sales during the latter half of 2023, the GT 63 E Performance 4Matic will join the recently introduced Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4Matic 4-Door and upcoming SL 63 E Performance 4Matic in a growing line-up of huge-output PHEV models from Mercedes-Benz’s performance car division.
Mercedes-AMG is remaining tight-lipped on details of the new GT model, though its drivetrain is set to draw heavily on that of the GT 63 S E Performance 4Matic 4-Door with a front-mounted twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine and an electric motor sited within the rear axle assembly in combination with a 6.1kWh battery pack.
It remains to be seen whether the two-door coupé will receive the same 831bhp and 1082lb ft as its five-door liftback sibling, though the new range-topping GT model does appear certain to adopt AMG’s fully variable 4Matic+ four-wheel drive system, which is not offered on the existing rear-driven first-generation model.
In the GT 63 E Performance 4Matic 4-Door, the electric motor is tuned to deliver a maximum 201bhp for short bursts of full throttle acceleration, with a milder 94bhp of continuous electric drive available with sufficient battery energy reserves. The overall electric range is put at 7.5 miles.
The so-called P3 system developed by Mercedes-AMG sees the reserves of the combustion engine channelled through a nine-speed MCT Speedshift automatic gearbox to all four wheels. The electric motor, meanwhile, sends drive through a two-speed gearbox directly to the rear wheels.
Overall, the packaging of the electric motor, battery and power electronics add 460kg to the weight of the standard GT 63 S 4Matic 4-Door. Despite the added weight, it is claimed to hit 62mph in just 2.9sec and reach a top speed limited to 190mph.
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1082 lb/ft, isn't this just another power race?, forty years ago 500bhp was a fast Supercar, today?, some of the top hatchbacks have that, four figure torque?, what's the point?