Mercedes AMG GT pricing ‘below SL AMG’

MERCEDES-BENZ Australia Pacific (MBAP) expects to lock in the pricing and range specifications for its highly anticipated Porsche 911 rival, the AMG GT, within a couple of weeks.

And while the German importer is not saying publicly, Aussie buyers of the two-door sports coupe will be able to ramp up the performance and style of their purchase under AMG’s Performance Studio extras portfolio.

The all-new coupe, which takes Mercedes-Benz into a new class and direct competition with iconic sportscar-makers such as Porsche, Ferrari and Maserati, will be revealed in Germany in early September ahead of its public debut alongside the new C63 AMG at the Paris motor show later in the month.

The GT is expected to touch down in Australian Mercedes showrooms in the second quarter of next year, around the same time as the new-generation C63 sedan.

Both cars will be powered by AMG’s new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 375kW of power and 650Nm of torque and revving to a 7200rpm red line.

Although pricing and final specification are still to be announced, several keen customers have already lodged an order with the dealers.

MBAP senior manager of public relations, product and corporate communications David McCarthy told GoAuto that his company had hoped to have the new model in showrooms by the first quarter of next year, but it was likely to blow out to the second quarter.

He said pricing and final specifications were expected to be locked in within a month.

“There is huge interest in the car,” he said. “Basically, it is a market that we have not been in before.” Mr McCarthy said the pricing would not only be well below that of the $467,965 SLS AMG supercar – which has now gone out of production – but also below that of Mercedes’ SL AMG roadster, which starts at $385,000, plus on-road costs, for the 5.5-litre V8 63AMG.

Porsche’s 911 coupe range starts at $209,100 for the base 3.4-litre Carrera and tops out at $445,400 for the Turbo S.

Mr McCarthy played down the Porsche rivalry, saying Mercedes expected most AMG GT customers to come from its own AMG ranks.

“The 911 is an iconic car,” he said. “I would say that while there would be some people (911 owners) who are interested in that car (AMG GT), most people who want a 911 buy a 911.” Mr McCarthy said the same would likely apply to Ferrari owners, but people considering a Maserati could also look at the AMG GT.

Mercedes-Benz has just released a video promoting the AMG GT, describing its handling as “like a go-kart”.