Mercedes-AMG presented a four-door hybrid sports car concept at the Geneva International Motor Show, as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. 

With the show car Mercedes-AMG GT Concept, the sports car and performance brand is giving an indication of the alternative drive configurations AMG is designing. 

Over and above this the four-door coupé heralds the further extension of the AMG GT family. 

The third model series after the SLS AMG and AMG GT is now being completely autonomously developed at the company’s headquarters in Affalterbach. 

The designation and fundamental design elements on the front and tail end denote the family affiliation to the AMG GT. 

The "EQ Power+" identifier on the mirror cam indicates the increased performance that can be expected from hybridisation at AMG.

"With the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept we are giving a preview of our third completely autonomously developed sports car,” says Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG. “And extending the attractive AMG GT family to include a four-door variant. Plus the GT Concept – like the AMG Hypercar, which we are presenting at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt – illustrates how we are defining performance of the future at AMG.”

He continues: “Impressive driving dynamics coupled with high efficiency, resulting from an innovative drive system and tailored to the vehicle segment in question – that is Future Performance made by AMG. With our AMG GT Concept that means a combination of an ultramodern V8 petrol engine and a high-performance electric motor. Both intelligently networked and with a modular battery concept with a combination of extremely powerful yet light batteries. This performance hybrid powertrain offers an impressive electric range and the opportunity to generate a system output of up to 600 kW in its last level of development. It covers the sprint from 0-100 in less than three seconds – which corresponds to a super sports car level.”

The four-door sports car will seamlessly continue the success story of the AMG GT. The dynamic fastback will also be highly suitable for everyday use thanks to the large tailgate and the variable interior and luggage compartment. The new coupé thus blends the high functionality of the performance cars with the sportiness of the AMG GT sports cars. 

The show car gives a sneak preview of the exterior design of the coming series production model. 


MUSCULAR PROPORTIONS

With the aid of the unmistakeable design idiom with a deeply drawn bonnet and powerfully raked windscreen, the AMG GT Concept is recognisable at first glance as a genuine AMG GT. The exterior design stands out with extremely muscular proportions, a large volume plus sensuous and simultaneously reduced surface styling. 

The Panamericana grille with vertical ribs painted red on the sides, the new configuration of the extremely slim main headlamps and the side air gills with their dominant design in the front apron are hallmark AMG GT design characteristics which have been advanced to a new level here and express pure power. The bonnet reaching right to the wheel arches underscores the decidedly sports car genes together with the two powerdomes. This is also expressed in the extravagant paintwork in the colour shade hot red with a finish that shimmers in the light like liquid metal thanks to a special formulation.

Moving radiator shutters in the centre and side air intakes improve the aerodynamic and thermal efficiency and are inspired by the active air control system in the AMG GT R. 


PIONEERING TECHNOLOGY

With "nano active fibre technology" Mercedes-AMG is presenting future-oriented daytime running lamps for the first time. This is produced by a special bright light system in a freely styled light cord. The three-dimensional illumination effect lends the car an autonomous light signature, which is flanked by numerous further measures in the high-tech headlamp. The turn signal light function is integrated at the top edge. The serial turn signal pulse ("flashing light indicator") has again been enhanced and impresses with its extremely rapid sequence. Two tubular rod lights illuminate the road surface directly in front of the car and constitute the driving light together with the large LED main headlamp and its lens system. A golden sail-shaped badge supplements the individual impression, and a red AMG logo denotes attention to detail. 

Overall the front headlamp is a three-dimensional multilayered high-tech component which underscores the technical standards of the performance study with features in gunmetal grey and brushed aluminium. 


HALLMARK AMG GT LOOK

The width-biased rear assembly also cites the unmistakeable AMG GT look with the extremely slim horizontal tail lamps and the shape of the tailgate. The tail light also has the new light technology, which is located beneath the three-dimensional lens of the rear lamps. A ribbed cooling module is integrated into the lens to guide the waste heat to the exterior. 

Further design elements at the tail end are the wide carbon-fibre diffuser curved downwards at the sides and the centrally arranged tailpipe trim reminiscent of the AMG GT R.

The crouched, dynamic greenhouse with its steeply sloping roof line and the slim layout of the frameless side windows emphasise the dynamic forwards thrust of the AMG GT Concept when seen from the side. The tapered side drop and the broad rear shoulder in the area of the flared wheel arches reinforce the muscular expression. The function of the exterior mirrors on the study is taken care of by aerodynamically favourable miniature cameras, known as mirror cams. 

The very expressively styled wheels in a fine-spoke design allow a good view of the AMG ceramic high-performance compound brake. The brake callipers are painted in a bronze colour and bear the "AMG Carbon Ceramic" lettering.


INNOVATIVE COMBINATION 

After the Formula 1 vehicle, the show car is the second AMG model to bear the new designation "EQ Power+", which all performance hybrids from Mercedes-AMG will be given in future. 

The performance hybrid system combines the powerful 4.0litre V8 biturbo engine with an additional powerful electric machine and thus ensures extremely immediate response and offers an extraordinarily high system performance. The sprint from 0100 km/h can be mastered at a super sports car level by the AMG GT Concept in less than three seconds. 

The fully variable AMG performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive is also supported by the electric motor. It drives the rear wheels directly and has the effect of an additional booster. Besides this, according to the principle of Torque Vectoring, every wheel can be allocated torque individually. The result: the driver directly experiences a tangible increase in performance. 


THE SCALABLE PERFORMANCE BATTERY

The energy storage unit is more powerful than conventional hybrid batteries, but at the same time more compact and lighter – further proof of the systematic way in which the AMG Lightweight Performance Strategy is being implemented. On a modular basis the system is scalable upwards, so that the performance and capacity of the battery can be adjusted to meet specific requirements of customers or certain markets. 

The charging of the battery during the journey occurs on the one hand via brake recuperation, but on the other hand also with the aid of the combustion engine if the battery charge has dropped beneath a certain threshold value. 

The operating strategy of the AMG GT Concept is derived from the hybrid powerpack of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 racing car. As in the champions league of motorsport, the battery is also charged whilst the vehicle is being driven so as always to have the full amount of electrical power available – and for instance to be able to accelerate out of bends in a flash with full thrust. 


ELECTRIC DRIVE UNIT

Three operating modes can be preselected via the electric drive unit: the AMG GT Concept either drives purely electrically or only with the combustion engine or it optimally combines both drive sources with one another as a hybrid. 

The manifestation of the operating strategy, the definition of the drive programs and fundamental hybrid components are exclusive AMG developments, which all pursue the same aim: to facilitate a unique dynamic driving experience with Driving Performance in future, too.