LA show: Mercedes-AMG hints at mystery car

MERCEDES-AMG today gave the briefest tease for a new-generation sportscar from its hot-car production lines, saying we can expect to see it next year.

The mystery car is already on the radar within the wider Mercedes-Benz group, with Mercedes-Benz Australia-Pacific manager corporate communications Jerry Stamoulis confirming to GoAuto that the local branch knows of such a car.

“No further news we can give at this stage other than we are in talks with AMG and we’re certainly interested,” he said.

The tease came at the Los Angeles motor show just after Mr Moers unveiled two lusty AMG sportscars – the AMG Vision Gran Turismo concept and a limited-edition SLS GT Final Edition roadster.

Mr Moers would only say that the new sportscar was not a direct replacement for the soon-to-be departed SLS and that it would be in a new segment.

He flashed a brush-stroke-style outline of sportscar on the screen above the podium for a split second, saying it would look like that.

If AMG is developing the car from the ground up – as it did with the SLS – it could be anything, including an electric-hybrid sportscar to rival the Porsche 918 or BMW i8. That would certainly fit with the “new segment” comment.

If it is spun off a Mercedes-Benz production car, it might be a coupe derivative of the all-new C-Class that is due to break cover at the Detroit motor show in January, or something smaller based on Benz's new modular front-wheel drive platform that underpins cars such as the A-Class, B-Class, CLA and upcoming GLA compact SUV.

It is unlikely to be the Vision Gran Turismo, which is said to be just a one off show car from a design prepared for a PlayStation game.

And it won't be a replacement for the doomed SLS, as none is planned any time soon. As well, the SLK is less than two years old, making something of that ilk unlikely.

Speculation is that we could see it as early as the Geneva motor show in March, at least in concept form.

AMG is getting set to build 350 units of the SLS GT Final Edition, saying it was designed to say goodbye to the three-year-old SLS in style.

Decked out in with carbon fibre bonnet and other trick extras, the Final Edition is not bound for Australia.

Instead, SLS buyers here can say goodbye to the SLS with a special Designo edition next year.

Mr Stamoulis said the Designo would be limited to six examples for Australian buyers.