Though Mercedes-AMG released a new GT2 racecar version of its GT coupe last week, the road-going version of the Porsche 911 rival is already dead, having gone out of production a few months back, which can only mean that its replacement, seen here testing near the Arctic Circle, isn’t far from launch.
AMG engineers were spotted testing not one, but three versions of the second-generation GT in northern Sweden alongside examples of the original car, and though the nose and tail of each of the prototypes are covered with brain-scrambling disguise, much of the car’s bright-colored bodywork is uncovered, so we can still make out some of the key updates.
One of those is that the new GT has a much more aggressive rear screen rake than its predecessor. Although the gen-1 GT was also a liftback, the tail had a kind of slight notchback look, whereas the new one sweeps down from the rear of the roof to the taillights. The profile view also shows a revised door shape, the trailing edge angled away from vertical to give a sportier feel, and there are also flush door handles and subtly repositioned door mirrors.
The wheelbase appears to be longer, suggesting that the new GT might be switching from a strict two-seater, to a two-plus-two arrangement, like the Porsche 911, and also like its SL sibling, which uses the same platform. If that’s the case, those back seats are only going to be good for small children and luggage.
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One of the two green cars visible in these pictures is believed to be a plug-in hybrid (our photographer spotted a charging port on the rear bumper), suggesting it will get a version of the plug-in hybrid 4.0-liter V8 fitted to models like the new S63 E Performance. The engine makes 791 hp (802 PS) in the hot S-Class and 831 hp (843 PS) in the four-door Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance. The other green car didn’t have a charging flap, leading us to think it was an SL63, powered by a 577 hp (585 PS) 4.0-liter V8.
And the yellow car that got most of the photographer’s attention didn’t have a charging flap either. It also had less aggressive round exhausts and simpler wheels, meaning it’s likely a less sporting version. It might be fitted with the 469 hp (476 PS) 4.0-liter V8 from the SL55, though there’s a very slim chance that AMG might drop in the 376 hp (381 PS) 2.0-liter turbo four from the SL43 to create an entry-level model to rival the base Porsche 911 Carrera.
We expect the GT to launch during the first half of 2023, probably as a 2024MY car. Do you like the subtle update or do you think AMG should have been bolder with the design? And do you think it makes sense to switch to a two-plus-two layout? Leave a comment and let us know.
