MERCEDES HAS STUCK ITS FOUR-CYLINDER A45 ENGINE INTO THE AMG GT
Hear the abbreviation ‘AMG’ and we immediately think big, thunderous V8 engines. See the long bonnet and swooping roofline of the two-door AMG GT and we immediately think of big, thunderous V8 engines. Imagine our surprise, then, when Mercedes told us the GT above is powered by a 2.0-litre four-pot.
Yep, say hello to the Mercedes-AMG GT 43 Coupe. Of course, the 43 isn’t powered by any old four-cylinder engine – under the bonnet is the banzai AMG engine that powers the A45 S hot hatch with 415bhp and 369lb ft of torque.
The power outputs are the same here and there’s also Merc’s 48-volt mild-hybrid system that improves efficiency but also electronically spins the turbocharger to reduce lag. Oh, and to make it feel less like you’ve just bought a prettier A45, all of the power is sent to the rear wheels. Hmm, this could be rather fun.
“It is clearly recognisable as a GT but is clearly different from the other models,” says AMG boss Michael Schiebe of the GT 43. “It appeals to customers who love design and focus on elegance but are unwilling to compromise on driving pleasure and driving dynamics. The rear-wheel drive concept makes the GT 43 a very agile vehicle that will put a smile on your face on winding roads.”
We’ll have to take his word for it for now, but the figures are mightily impressive – the GT 43 manages 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds and will run on to a top speed of almost 174mph. There’s also AMG’s usual nine-speed auto gearbox with a wet clutch and a simple passive suspension setup as standard.
Adaptive damping is available as an option, as is rear wheel steering and something shouty that AMG calls the ‘AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package’. That includes dynamic engine mounts, an electronic rear diff, a ‘race’ drive mode, yellow brake calipers and some active aero under the bonnet that creates a Venturi effect at speeds over 50mph.
There are some exterior styling changes too that’ll allow everyone to see that you’ve bought the four-cylinder GT as opposed to a V8. For a start the arches are narrower as the track width has been reduced, and there’s a new front end with a lower air intake that stretches right across the width of the car. A fixed rear wing is optional round the back, and there’s a new rear bumper with circular exhausts – just as Merc did with the new SL in 43 form.
We’re told 19in alloy wheels will be standard with 20s or forged 21s available as an option. There’s the same interior too with a fully digital dash and 11.9in portrait infotainment screen. No word on pricing yet, but Mercedes has confirmed that this entry-level GT won't make it over to UK shores. The V8 still reigns supreme.