Geneva show: Mercedes-AMG outs GT 4-door Coupe

MERCEDES-AMG has lifted the lid on its Porsche Panamera-fighting GT 4-door Coupe, with the three-variant range featuring the most powerful engine output of any current AMG-branded vehicle.

The German high-performance marque will introduce six-cylinder power to the GT range for the first time, while the top-spec GT63 S pumps out an eye-watering 470kW/900Nm – the most power of any vehicle in the current AMG range, and more than the range-topping GT R Coupe.

Two variants will use Mercedes’ ubiquitous 4.0-litre biturbo V8, including the GT63 S and the less powerful GT63, which still pumps out 430kW/800Nm – matching the power output of the GT R with an extra 100Nm of torque on tap.

The third member of the GT 4-door Coupe range – the GT53 – uses the same powertrain as the recently-revealed CLS53, which is the new M256 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine mated to a combined starter motor and alternator.

Power and torque outputs for the GT53 is 320kW/520Nm, with an additional 16kW/250Nm momentarily available on overboost from the starter motor/alternator.

It is expected that Mercedes-Benz Australia will bring all three variants Down Under in 2019.

Zero to 100km/h sprint times range from 3.2 seconds in the 63 S to 4.5s in the 53, while fuel economy is rated at 11.2 litres per 100km in the 63 S, down to 11.0L/100km in the 63 and 9.4L/100km in the 53.

All variants employ AMG’s Performance 4Matic+ rear-biased all-wheel-drive system with variable torque distribution, while rear-wheel steering is standard on V8 variants and is an option on the 53.

The GT 63 S scores a limited-slip differential mounted on the rear axle, with all variants employing a nine-speed Speedshift automatic transmission.

Depending on the variant, up to six drive programs are available, consisting of Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Race and Individual.

Visually, the GT 4-door Coupe retains the vertical Panamericana grille, similar front bumper design and thin, wide tail-lights from the two-door, but is otherwise easily distinguishable from the original GT.

Headlight design is more angular than the coupe, signalling Mercedes’ future design direction, while the bonnet features a more sloped angle, in line with the arch-shaped profile of the 4-door.

The car’s high door lines and flowing silhouette lead to an aggressively sloped rear end, with the adaptive rear spoiler sitting low in the car’s profile and hinting at the relation to the two-door coupe.

Ten-spoke 19-inch hoops come as standard on the 53 and 63 variants, while the top-spec 63 S steps up to 20-inch wheels with five twin spokes painted tantalite grey.

Customers can option the AMG Aerodynamics package, which includes an enlarged front splitter, a modified rear diffuser and fixed rear aerofoil that can be optioned in carbon-fibre.

Inside, the GT 4-door Coupe evokes a typically Mercedes design with turbine-style air-conditioning vents, sweeping belt line running through the dashboard and twin 12.3-inch display screens housing the instrument cluster and infotainment readouts.

The centre console controls have been redesigned, with individual colour display buttons controlling the suspension, ESP, exhaust system and aerofoil operation.

Buyers can choose to outfit their GT 4-door Coupe with either four or five seats, while the more user-friendly body style has allowed for a luggage capacity of 395 litres, with another 60L available beneath the boot floor.

Space can expand to 1324L with the rear seats folded.

Other features include connectivity and autonomous functions from the S-Class including semi-autonomous driving functions, Comand Online information and the Energising Comfort system which controls air-conditioning, seat control, massage functions, ambient lighting and even specialised in-car fragrances.

The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupe will be released globally in the middle of the year, with Australian deliveries to commence in 2019.