New Mercedes-AMG GT debuts !!

[gerryvz]

Here's official information on yesterday's world introduction of the new Mercedes-AMG GT sport car.

Interesting, but from the side looks like a 1960s Toyota 2000GT to me.....

Cheers,
Gerry


September 9, 2014

Dynamic world début of the new Mercedes-AMG GT in Affalterbach

Formula 1 star Nico Rosberg drives the new AMG V8 sports car into the limelight

Affalterbach. As exciting as crossing the finish line in a car race – that was how Mercedes-AMG presented its new GT V8 sports car this evening, the second vehicle to be entirely developed under its own direction. None other than current Formula 1 points leader Nico Rosberg piloted the breath-taking newcomer from the sports car brand of Mercedes-Benz onto the stage. The emotions ran high for around 400 international guests from the worlds of politics, business and the media, including AMG's founders Hans‑Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, as the Mercedes-AMG GT made its début in its birthplace. Previously, Bernd Schneider, five-time DTM champion and with 43 victories the most successful DTM driver of all time, presented a parade of the most famous vehicles from AMG's history.

Mercedes-AMG created an authentic motor sports atmosphere at its head office in Affalterbach for the first appearance of the new GT under the eyes of the world. A temporary pit lane with stands for spectators and a victory fireworks show set the perfect scene for the début of an ambitious new challenger.
With the new Mercedes-AMG GT, the Mercedes-AMG sports car brand enters a new segment for the company that is teeming with top-class competitors.

Its front mid-engine concept with transaxle and the intelligent aluminium lightweight construction form the basis for a highly dynamic driving experience. The basis for AMG's hallmark driving performance is provided by the AMG 4.0-litre V8 Biturbo engine, which is also a new development and is built in two output specifications: as a GT with 340 kW (462 hp) and as a GT S with 375 kW (510 hp).

"The Mercedes-AMG GT shows sports car enthusiasts around the world what AMG is capable of", said Prof Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, and stressed Mercedes-AMG's importance within Daimler's engineering network.

"With its technological substance, the Mercedes-AMG GT fulfils our high standards with regard to driving dynamics, agility and sportiness. It has been 'handcrafted by racers', and shows that we make our customers' dreams come true", said Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

The GT combines driving dynamics and first-class racetrack performance with superb everyday practicality and a level of efficiency that sets new standards in the segment.

 

[Glen]

Eh, it's time to retire this "chassis". The basic style hasn't changed from the McLaren AMG to SLS AMG to this. I'm tired of the long nose GT style. Bleh.

 

[garnachavino]

Here's official information on yesterday's world introduction of the new Mercedes-AMG GT sport car.

Interesting, but from the side looks like a 1960s Toyota 2000GT to me.....

Cheers,
Gerry

If i had that kind of wherewithal, a 60s toyota 2000gt definitely on the top 5 of my bucket list..

 

[500AMM]

Eh, it's time to retire this "chassis". The basic style hasn't changed from the McLaren AMG to SLS AMG to this. I'm tired of the long nose GT style. Bleh.

+1
that made it to me too, I am definitely not going to buy one...
(..joking)

 

[gerryvz]

MB really needs to do something different/groundbreaking here. This effort and recent other efforts such as the SLS seem very uninspired, to me. Even the name "M-AMG GT" is very blah.

 

[Melville]

I'm a fan of the new styling, and I think it will look better in person than in pictures. It is cleaner and simpler than the designs of many (most?) of the cars produced over the last 10 years or so. Too many cars have creases and curves that make no sense.

 

[bing]

Too close to a Ferrari 612, and as for Grand Tourers only them can get away with it.

 

[Rouven036]

I think it is important to see it in reality and then to judge. For me the rear shoulders, rear side window line and especially the whole rear end looks like an evolution of a gen1 E Type. Just my 2 cents as a 100% Benz guy

 

[gerryvz]

I think it is important to see it in reality and then to judge.

It's a nice sentiment, but it's also probably going to be a long time until I see one of these in real life....

 

[txbrit]

They didn't pick the best day from a PR Standpoint to make the announcement.

 

[gerryvz]

They didn't pick the best day from a PR Standpoint to make the announcement.

Agree 100%. Our PR department at my employer also considered same factor with regard to some announcements this week

 

[Jimbo]

I like the 'old' SLS...I've driven a few on track and they are quite nice cars, the GT3 is incredibly nice to drive....but not worth anywhere where near the 200 large they wanted for them (IMO). For me, the styling just had to grow on me and they do look much better in person.

The new one 'sounds' like it will be a winner performance wise....not so sure about it in the banana yellow and the ugly black rims (again, just IMO ) It is better than the vomit green and black striped pig that has been driving around Europe. Call me old fashioned: give me one in silver with monoblocks please.

 

[Klink]

I'm a fan of the new styling, and I think it will look better in person than in pictures. It is cleaner and simpler than the designs of many (most?) of the cars produced over the last 10 years or so. Too many cars have creases and curves that make no sense.

Another +10,000,000 for you today, Mark. I like it's apparent lack of contrivance as well, though overall I do despise this recent trend of all the the barn door front ends thanks to ECE pedestrian regulations.


Friends there that have seen it told me not to even bother looking at the pictures, that they do it no justice whatsoever. Apparently a design critic or two have said that it's the best looking car to come out of Germany in decades. I guess we'll know when we see it.


I know this sounds ridiculous, but the friends that I know that have seen it have talked to their friends "over there" that have driven it, and they also say "hold your fire", it's just fantastic. Both sound reassuring.


For those that keep track of these things, be advised the SLR is completely it's own animal and has nothing to do with the SLS or this car. We've been told that this car uses a lot of the SLS floor, framing, and what not, that they have found ways to make it less labor-intensive and expensive. If that's the case, it could actually be a little bit impressive. The SLS chassis is a beautiful thing.


I am actually looking forward to seeing and driving one of these, based on what people have said, and note that I do not usually feel that way about "super sports" cars. We'll see what happens...

 

[need2speed]

I'm tired of the long nose GT style. Bleh.

And that is the Jimmy Durante of the breed!

 

[Glen]

And that is the Jimmy Durante of the breed!

 

[Melville]

Another +10,000,000 for you today, Mark.

The Klink seal of approval! I must be learning something from all my time spent on this site!

 

[gerryvz]

A lot of us are getting Klinked, fer sure!!

 

[Stevester 500E]

It's time for a rear/mid engine Mercedes . . . . out with the snout . . . .

 

[Stevester 500E]

>>>>And that is the Jimmy Durante of the breed!
Ha ! Ha ! LOL !

 

[Klink]

It's time for a rear/mid engine Mercedes . . . . out with the snout . . . .

Well Stevester, these last three MB "super sports" cars are essentially "front/mid engine" designs, hence the long noses. I do agree that I'd love to see them go true mid engine just to see what happens. They did it with the Group C cars, so it's not like they don't know how...

 

[Maui]

The rearend reminds me of a Porsche 928 S4.

 

[Klink]

The rearend reminds me of a Porsche 928 S4.

Interestingly enough, that particular terror trolley is on my bucket list...

 

[8899]

Interestingly enough, that particular terror trolley is on my bucket list...

+1. Either a 928 or a 968.

 

[maw1124]

I like the 'old' SLS...I've driven a few on track and they are quite nice cars, the GT3 is incredibly nice to drive....but not worth anywhere where near the 200 large they wanted for them (IMO). For me, the styling just had to grow on me and they do look much better in person.

The new one 'sounds' like it will be a winner performance wise....not so sure about it in the banana yellow and the ugly black rims (again, just IMO ) It is better than the vomit green and black striped pig that has been driving around Europe. Call me old fashioned: give me one in silver with monoblocks please.

Old fashioned.

The latest SLS is on my bucket list for the same reason. I'm old fashioned. Sure, when pushed to the limits, they get a bit unwieldy. Too much, too much, too much. Such is AMG's true style if you ask me, and if you let Aufrecht have his way, it seems over the top is what you will get. Hence, the SLS -- designed completely by AMG w/no limiter from MB, or so I'm told. Since that car, MB have progressively tweaked and tamed it, to find some semblance of harmony, which is MB's true style. From all accounts, this one is near perfect. Hopefully there's an AMG Driving Academy in my future so I can see for myself.

Cheers,

maw

 

[Klink]

+1. Either a 928 or a 968.

Actually both. I love any Porsche with the engine in the correct place...

 

[Melville]

+1. Either a 928 or a 968.

928 is also one of my favorites. My dream garage would be 500E, W124 cabrio, 928 and BMW E24 6 series. It's still possible to find decent driver 928s at good prices, but some have really started to appreciate lately. For a long time they seem to have been the ugly duckling of the Porsche family. Now it seems like they are being rediscovered, but the problem is a lot of people bought them cheap and didn't take care of them.

 

[bing]

Crackle and pop !

[video=youtube_share;60fMaE5KVeM]http://youtu.be/60fMaE5KVeM[/video]

Nice gimmick

 

[Melville]

I took my E550 to the dealership for a service and made valuable use of my waiting time by checking out some of the new offerings. Wow the AMG GT is beautiful! I was checking out a silver AMG GTS for quite a while. I wasn't totally in love with the interior but the exterior is as near to perfect as just about any car on the market today. At about $140K, it was a bargain compared to the SL65 sitting next to it ($225K) and the S63 coupe (+$200K if memory serves). I know people are trying to compare the AMG GT to the 911 but to me that seems so pointless. Both cars are ridiculously fast and powerful. The AMG GT spoke to me in a way that a 911 just doesn't.

Speaking of the S Class coupe, I didn't love the AMG version. Matte white, black wheels and with a bunch of carbon fibre bits everywhere. But there was a Mocha Black S550 coupe in the showroom and it was gorgeous. Understated and elegant but oozed presence and power. No one does a pillarless coupe like MB and this design is a big improvement over recent models (which I liked).

I know style is subjective, but if you think the AMG GT or the S Class coupe aren't beautiful, you are objectively wrong and probably a bad person!

 

[Melville]

I forgot to mention I also saw a very nice silver 500E parked in a driveway in Falls Church, VA today as well. Does it belong to anyone here?

 

[Klink]

The new one 'sounds' like it will be a winner performance wise....not so sure about it in the banana yellow and the ugly black rims (again, just IMO ) It is better than the vomit green and black striped pig that has been driving around Europe. Call me old fashioned: give me one in silver with monoblocks please.